The Korean Air 737-8, also known as the 737 MAX 8, was a comfortable ride in economy class, including a seatback screen and wi-fi internet (a relatively new thing for Korean Air) on the short 511-mile journey from Shanghai to Seoul.
Korean Air 737-8 Economy Class Review [PVG-ICN]
We scored a very cheap $399.88 ticket from Shanghai to Seoul to Los Angeles on Korean Air in a fare class that earned miles (for the SAS Million Mile promotion). I’ve flown almost every alliance carrier on Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam, but up to this point, I have never flown Korean Air before…I was quite looking forward to it.
Our transit in Shanghai was straightforward enough and we were checked in all the way through to Los Angeles in Terminal 1.
After stopping at the China Eastern and VIP Lounges, we lined up to board our flight (where I ran into a reader named Matthew…we had a nice chat prior to boarding). We departed from the far end of Terminal 1, where there were many vacant shops. In fact, I was hoping to find a nice coffee shop before the flight, but I would have to wait until we landed in Seoul.
Onboard, several flight attendants greeted us…Korean Air seems to staff its 737-8 quite well.
Korean Air 896
Shanghai (PVG) – Seoul (ICN)
November 2024
Depart: 8:50 AM
Arrive: 12:00 PM+1
Duration: 02hr, 10min
Distance: 511 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8
Seat: 40D (Economy Class)
I walked through the eight-seat business class cabin (recliners) and made my way back to row 40, where my son and I were seated.
Seats
On this aircraft, “Prestige” business class was rows 7 and 8 and economy class started with row 28. I do not quite understand why Korean Air numbers its seats the way it does, but I’d imagine it so that business class and economy class always start at the same row number, regardless of the aircraft type.
Seats have a comfortable 32 inches of pitch (which seems standard in East Asia but you can only expect on JetBlue in North America despite larger body frames) and all seats have both A/C and USB-A power.
Personal air vents are available along wtih a reading light above each seat.
Seats are not well-padded (especially when compared to our connection on the A380-800), but were sufficient for the short flight to Seoul.
Blankets were not proactively offered, but I saw a bag in the overhead bin.
IFE + Wi-Fi
Korean Air has been very slow in adding wi-fi to its fleet, but the 737-8 does feature both wi-fi internet and streaming IFE (no screens behind each seat). Internet cost 4.95 USD for messaging only or 11.95 USD for a flight pass. The library included music, TV shows, and films.
I did not connect for the short flight…
It was a very plesant day outside too.
Food + Drink
Despite only being a 511-mile flight, a full meal was served after takeoff with a choice of beverage (full bar open). There was no choice: everyone received the same tray who had not pre-ordered a special meal, which included beef with rice, a shrimp salad, sliced fruit, and a bread roll.
Augustine quite enjoyed it…good for him.
The coffee was unfortunately too weak.
Service
Kudos to the excellent crew for hustling to get everyone served a full meal on such a short flight. The flight attendants were very kind and I love the KAL uniforms…I think they are my favorite of all carriers.
Shortly after boarding, a flight attendant brought over an activity kit for Augustine. He may have been a little old for it, but it kept him occupied during the boarding time.
Lavatory
The Korean 737-8 has one lavatory in the front for Prestige Class passengers and two in the rear of economy class. They were small and the water easily splashed due to the small sink.
CONCLUSION
We landed on-time in Seoul into the new section of Terminal 2…my first time there. The transit was easy and the terminal is very nice.
My Korean Air 737 MAX 8 flight in economy class was very pleasant and I was now looking forward to hte longhaul A380 flight to Los Angeles, even in economy class.
I’m sharing in real-time style about my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
“love the KAL uniforms…I think they are my favorite of all carriers.”
Even more than the ones on SQ?
The good thing about KE is you can preview the menu even for economy flights.
@Aaron … SQ are more flattering , but the best are Tahitian grass skirts in a stiff breeze .
KAL’s neck bow is ridiculous .
Even more than the SQ girls, would rank #2.
@Matthew … If I flipped a Two-Headed Quarter , my call would be Heads = SQ uniform .
PVG T2 is a bit better than T1 in terms of coffee, at least they got a blue bottle in the international departure zone.
In the States , a two-hour flight would have no meal , nor snack .
In China or Korea one must sniff the food .
In the States , a two-hour flight would have no meal , nor snack .
Seats are numbered this way due to ease op changes during aircraft swap. Many Asian airlines do the same so that when your 73M is up gauged to say a 789 no seat changes need to be made for those initially booked, they just fill the numbers that are vacant, ie rows 1-6 for business in your case. Singapore Airlines numbering is even more extreme as economy class on their 737s start from row 41 due to how frequent their flights get an equipment swap.
I love the little neckties or scarves the woman FAs wear.
The meal looks great.
“ Augustine quite enjoyed it…good for him”. What’s with your obvious loathing of Asian cuisine? It comes across as white superiority mindset.
Not at all. I wish I didn’t loathe it…I’ve tried over and over to like it but I’m just not that cool.
People (commenters), please QUIT COMPARING EVERYTHING TO THE STATES. WE GET IT ALREADY!