ANA Expands 'THE CONNOISSEURS' with Innovative
Japanese Culinary Chefs

  • ・The December launch will feature Chef Shuto Sugita of Ginza L'écrin and Chef Yasunori Kitajima, owner of Kamakura Kitajima.
  • ・First and Business Class cabins on flights from Japan to Europe and North America will enjoy French and Japanese fine dining crafted by acclaimed chefs.

TOKYO, Nov. 17, 2025 - All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest 5-Star airline for 12 consecutive years, will welcome two renowned Japanese chefs to its acclaimed "THE CONNOISSEURS"1 program, starting in December 2025.

The new members, Shuto Sugita of Ginza L'écrin and Yasunori Kitajima of Kamakura Kitajima, will create exclusive Japanese and French creations for first and business class dining on select international routes from December 2025 through November 2026. Their addition further enhances "THE CONNOISSEURS" program, which ANA launched in September 2013 to redefine the in-flight dining experience through collaborations with top culinary talent.

Guided by a team of 16 esteemed chefs, beverage experts and ANA culinary specialists, the program has earned consistent praise for its approach to in-flight cuisine. ANA's international meals have received APEX's2 prestigious "WORLD CLASS" recognition for their exceptional quality and flavors tailored to the unique challenges of air travel, marking the airline's second consecutive recognition as of September 2025.

  • 2 APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association): A global, North American-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the passenger experience of airlines. The association includes airlines, airports, and aviation-related suppliers worldwide. APEX hosts the "APEX Awards," which certifies airlines that provide excellent services based on professional judging and evaluations from air passengers. Notably, "APEX WORLD CLASS™" and "APEX Five Star™" are important indicators of airline service quality

To further enhance the passenger experience, ANA's Pre-order Meal Service for First Class and Business Class allows travelers to select their preferred Japanese or Western cuisine up to 24 hours before departure, including these exclusive new meals. Using Pre-order Meal Service also allows passengers the opportunity to enjoy THE CONNOISSEURS menu on select routes from Japan to Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and India. With "THE CONNOISSEURS," ANA continues its commitment to delivering a world-class fine dining experience.

"ANA is deeply honored that our international in-flight meals, curated under the expertise of 'THE CONNOISSEURS,' have earned the prestigious APEX 'WORLD CLASS' recognition for the second consecutive year," said Tomoji Ishii, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience Management and Planning of ANA. "The achievement reflects our commitment to delivering sophisticated, high-quality flavors tailored for air travel. As we continue to elevate our dining experience, we are delighted to welcome two exceptional new chefs to 'THE CONNOISSEURS.' Our goal remains to provide our passengers with innovative cuisine and unforgettable moments during their journey."

New Members of THE CONNOISSEURS From December 2025

THE CONNOISSEURS Member List and Schedule (December 2025 to November 2026)

  • Contact:
    ANA Corporate Communications, TEL +81-3-6735-1111, publicrelations@ana.co.jp

About ANA
Founded in 1952 with just two helicopters, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has grown to become the largest airline in Japan. Today, ANA HOLDINGS Inc. (ANA HD) is recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune.

ANA HD was established in 2013 as the largest airline group holding company in Japan, comprising 72 companies. It offers three distinct airline brands: ANA, Peach, the leading LCC in Japan, and AirJapan, launched in 2024 for international routes covering Asia.

ANA's legacy of superior service has earned SKYTRAX's 5-Star rating every year since 2013, making it the only Japanese airline to win this prestigious designation for 12 consecutive years.

In 2025, ANA was honored with FlightGlobal's Executive Leadership: Asia-Pacific Award for its visionary leadership and strategic growth.

ANA is also a four-time recipient of the ATW Airline of the Year award, recognized for excellence in aviation.

ANA HD has been selected as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index list for eight consecutive years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index list for nine consecutive years.

For more information about ANA and ANA HD, please visit: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/