Korean Air review: this flight makes you feel like you are in South Korea
This business class on an international carrier still has a middle seat on some of its planes. Is it worth paying if you could still find yourself wedged between two other passengers?
This business class on an international carrier still has a middle seat on some of its planes. Is it worth it?
Take a seat
The Prestige class cabin (business class) features an eye-pleasing combo of cream cocoon-like shells and baby-blue fabric seats. Configured 2-3-2, rows are staggered, so you can’t easily peek at your neighbour across the aisle. There are two USB charging ports and a reading light.
The amenity kit comprises Atelier Cologne products (hand cream, body lotion, lip balm), a dental pack, eyeshade, brush/comb and, unusually, a shoehorn. I shuck my shoes and don the cream fabric slippers provided. There is also a pillow and fleecy blanket. The seat pitch is 74 inches (188cm) so legroom is vast. It reclines to a fully-flat bed.
Tech talk
There’s no in-flight wi-fi and no way to reach the screen once you’re buckled in. The hand control isn’t particularly intuitive so my seat neighbour and I join forces to figure out how it works.
On the menu
Before takeoff, we’re offered guava juice, orange juice or water. Meals are simply labelled first and second service, and cutlery includes a pair of metal chopsticks, in line with Korean dining etiquette. For meal one, I devour an amuse bouche of grilled tuna, a mozzarella and tomato salad, bibimbap with minced beef and vanilla bean ice cream (the strawberry mousse cake has run out).
For drinks, I have a Kir royal cocktail, which is oddly garnished with a slice of lemon instead of a berry. After a nap, I’m ready for meal two: Korean spicy seafood stew with rice and vegies (which only just manages to stay put on the plate; a bowl would have been better) and sip Charles Mignon bubbles. There’s fruit to finish and coffee served in a Wedgwood china cup.
That’s entertainment
Despite 33 new movie titles and 22 new TV shows, I make the mistake of watching Mark Wahlberg trying to out-act a hound in Arthur the King. I’m happier with three episodes of British reality show Race Across the World.
At your service
The flight attendants are charming and helpful. Early on, we’re handed an arrival card with a pen handily attached to the card. Before pouring wine, they hold up each glass for an inspection (one is rejected for being wet around the rim). Bathrooms are spacious, with a basket of amenities, including razors and mouthwash.
Luggage
Prestige class passengers can check two bags up to 32kg each and carry on two small bags totalling 18kg.
On the ground
There is no Korean Air lounge at Sydney Airport so passengers can use the SkyTeam lounge. While not the ritziest, it’s fine for grabbing a barista-made coffee, toast and scrambled eggs.
Make your points
Korean Air has its Skypass Club, which is part of the Skyteam alliance. Other airlines in this network include Delta Air Lines and Air France.
In the know
Korean Air is rolling out a redesigned Prestige class on its new B787-10 Dreamliners, which will feature a darker palette, better tech and high privacy walls. With the redesign eventually spreading to other aircraft and the airline running B787-9s from Brisbane, let’s see which Australian route receives this snazzy new look first.
The bottom line
Sydney-to-Seoul flights from $3498 one way, based on airline website search departing two months from publication.
The verdict
From the food to the chopsticks and the attendants’ hairpins, this daytime flight makes you feel like you are already in South Korea. Shopaholics will appreciate the luggage allowance of up to 82kg on the return home. But entertainment controls could be more user-friendly and you don’t want to be stuck in that middle seat in the middle row when paying business-class prices.
Katrina Lobley flew courtesy of Four Seasons.
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