As far as longhaul economy class flights go, my Korean Air A380 flight in economy class from Seoul to Los Angeles was excellent…with one glaring exception.
Korean Airlines A380 Economy Class: My First Impressions
Let’s talk about what was nice, first.
The seat was well-padded and the legroom was excellent. We have not had many full flights on this trip, but this flight was full and so I wound up in a middle seat while Augustine got the window. There was a woman about my age seated on the aisle and I had to laugh that the crew assumed we were together…they asked her about Augstine’s eating preference and whether he needed headphones or a blanket!
Speaking of the crew, they were all excellent… especially Miss Ye who took care of our side of the cabin. She was so attentive and so kind. At the end of the flight, she even said, “It has been an honor to have you with us today.”
Sorry folks, it’s not just about being young and beautiful. People prefer East Asian carriers because the flight attendants are so polite and kind.
Cool headphones for the kids (not to keep) and amenities like slippers for everyone onboard.
Good seat, good service, and good food as well. Lunch was served after takeoff and breakfast before landing.
For our first meal, Augustine had a chicken curry with rice while I had French-style braised beef…both were served with a side salad topped in shrimp, bread, and cake.
A very respectable lunch. I was actually hoping for bibimap, which Korean Air has traditionally served on flights out of Seoul, but it was not a menu option in economy class.
Corn dogs were served mid-flight…I’m going to dedicate a separate post to that. Quite odd, actually…
Before landing, a full breakfast was served with a Korean choice or eggs with bacon (no surprise I took the eggs…).
Augustine slept through breakfast.
And just like that, we flew over Los Angeles and landed at LAX…the trip, at least this phase, was over.
What a treasure this trip has been and what a great flight on Korean Air.
Oh yes, the one big complaint. It’s 2024 and Korean Air still has no wi-fi onboard. While I was able to prepare beforehand, it is simply uncompetitive not to offer this onboard and it really confuses me why such a tech-savvy country like South Korea would not offer wi-fi on its flights (Asiana does not either).
The fleet will slowly be updated, but this was really overdue a decade ago.
In any case, it was a truly lovely flight overall and a fitting way to end our marathon journey around the world.
I’m sharing in real-time style about my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information. Now we have just Aeromexico and Delta left to finish the challenge...
That was a long trip. Well done. Corn dog is a typical Korean snack. I look forward to flying Korean Air.
Glad to see that Augustine survived the trip in good health.
Congratulations on completing the challenge (x2). I learned a lot from your million mile challenge blogging and I too will be transiting through ICN next month. Thanks!
This is an example of why Matthew’s column is the best in the world. Unlike Ben/Lucky, he doesn’t overuse the word “gorgeous” and isn’t so snobbish by reviewing only business and first class but reviews a mix of business class and economy class trips. Not everyone has unlimited access to business class. Even the most fortunate fly a mix of business class and economy class. In addition, the quality of the writing is superb, even if there is the occasional speeling error.
Regarding the lack of wifi, one reason I’ve heard is that because Koreans are so used to such good data.speeds +everywhere+ in the country (on mountain tops and in subway cars) that until inflight wifi is reliable and fast enough it’s actually better not to offer it at all.
I’ve really enoyed reading about your adventures, updates and impressions during this marathon ‘Around the World’ trip you’ve taken. What a great way for a dad and his son to bond. Thanks for sharing it all with us.
Did you surreptitiously take a pic of a “young and beautiful” FA?
Both Korean Air and Asiana have inflight wi-fi. It’s just installed on select aircrafts only.
Korean Air has it on all the 737MAX, A321neo, 787-10, and select 787-9 and 777-300ER. They’re installing wi-fi on 787-9s and 777-300ERs, and it’ll be completed sometime by next year.
Asiana has wi-fi on all the A350-900s.
Korean Air doesn’t have any plan to install it on A380 because these will retire in a couple years.
Nice! Welcome home. But please you can’t fool us. That was a United Polaris dinner.