Qantas business class review
With its new direct Sydney to Seoul service underway, the flying kangaroo has its premium service put to the test.
Qantas is aiming to stay at the forefront of airlines' premium offerings, with new direct services between Sydney and Seoul. With attractive airfares and a comfortable service, here's how it stacks up.
The seat
The business class cabin of 28 seats features seven rows configured 1-2-1; a fixed screen between the centre pair allows for full privacy. The fold-out dining trays can be a bit wonky when meals arrive (or if using a laptop) but there’s adjustable in-seat reading lighting that’s bright but non-intrusive, accessible USB and power charger points, headphones hook, full seat recline and lumbar support. Padded cover, blanket and pillow fit neatly into a storage bin and there’s a generous amount of legroom in the “suite”-style capsule of pale timber, cream accents and charcoal seat. The amenities pack contains a basic dental kit, eyeshades, earplugs and socks plus a Li’tya “well-being” pack of lip balm and hand and face cream.
Tech talk
A press pad for functions such as Do Not Disturb, seat angle and back massage is intuitive to use. There’s no in-flight Wi-Fi, which causes a few complaints from surrounding passengers.
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Qantas business class review
With its new direct Sydney to Seoul service underway, the flying kangaroo has its premium service put to the test.
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On the menu
Lunch is served shortly after takeoff with a selection of three starters, four mains with sides of green leaf salad and Neil Perry’s zesty vinaigrette, two desserts plus seasonal fruit or cheese plate. Good bread rolls are served with Pepe Saya butter. Perry clocked up 25 years as food, beverage and service director with Qantas in 2022 and his green pea and mint soup with parmesan croute has become such a comfort classic that surely there’d be an uproar if it were removed.
There’s a plant-based dining option for the mains, but I find it an oddly tasteless mix of caramelised potato gratin with peas, mushrooms and roasted fennel. A cabin attendant advises that the Korean choice of beef short rib with sesame-marinated cucumbers, ssamjang dressing and short grain rice is the star turn. Vanilla crème caramel with a perfect crunchy glaze or a tub of Maggie Beer ice cream complete the menu. A dinner of four mains, cheese plate, tiramisu and seasonal fruits presented before landing has a plant-based rigatoni with oyster mushrooms, roasted eschalots, rocket and almond pesto, but I’m getting into Seoul mode so go for Jiangxi-style Humpty Doo barramundi with jasmine rice, seasonal greens and sesame seeds. The dish may sound like a cultural collision but is light and tasty.
There’s a larder service during the flight and the coffee is more than passable, although I hear fellow passengers grumbling about the limited wine list.
Entertainment
Qantas has a deal with Paramount Plus, so cue boxed sets of true crime dramas such as Buried and Why Women Kill. Movies cover blockbusters of the ilk of Elvis and the Kids channel is comprehensive.
Service
Crew members, including several bilingual English and Korean speakers, are attentive throughout and the call button is answered promptly.
On the ground
The Qantas business class lounge at Sydney international airport is available to Gold frequent flyers and Oneworld Sapphire members; those with Platinum status or Oneworld Emerald have access to the glamorous retro-styled First lounge. The Korean Air partner airline equivalent at Incheon, close to Gate 28, is soulless, offering a weird array of snacks like cup noodles and thin sandwiches, but there are showers and fast Wi-Fi. My return flight departs late due to “cleaning procedures” and severe snow and the plane has to be “de-iced” on the runway.
In the know
The Qantas direct service from Sydney to Seoul (Incheon) commenced in December and operates four times a week, with seasonal schedule variations.
The verdict
A pleasant flight with exceptionally friendly crew. This is the most seamless way to fly from Sydney to Seoul, with only a slight body-clock adjustment and attractive introductory airfares.
Susan Kurosawa was a guest of Qantas.