CHECK-IN
I arrived at Incheon International Airport early at 0530 for my 0810 departure to Hong Kong. However, I was disappointed to learn Korean Air’s check-in counters didn't open until 0610, which meant that I had to wait around for 40 minutes.
Despite this, the check-in process was quick and I proceeded towards the departure zone at 0615. Getting through security was slow because of the throngs of travellers going away for the Easter holiday. It was only at 0700 that I passed through immigration.
THE LOUNGE
Korean Air operates a dedicated Prestige class lounge near Gate 11, and I was impressed by the facility. Unlike the highly dated look of its lounge in Hong Kong, the airline’s flagship facility in Incheon was spacious and featured a large number of seats. The high windows provided ample natural light, and there were plenty of power outlets. The cooked food options, however, were limited, with only a small number of vegetable options, congee and sausages available. Shower facilities and complimentary wifi were available.
BOARDING
The walk from the lounge to Gate 26 took a mere four minutes. Though boarding was scheduled to commence at 0740, I didn't leave the lounge until 0750. The majority of passengers had already boarded by the time I arrived at the gate, so there were no queues and getting on board only took a minute.
The purser served a welcome drink of orange juice, introduced herself and wished me a pleasant flight.
Korean Air’s welcome service, which included a traditional bow to every passenger, is exemplary.
THE SEAT
The A330-300 is configured with Korean Air’s Prestige Sleeper product, arranged in a 2-2-2 layout. I was allocated window seat 8A.
The seats recline into a fully flat position – the controls are located on the left, while the IFE controller is on the right – and there is a USB port for charging devices.
Two small storage compartments are located at the front of the seat – perfect for storing a pair of shoes or a small bag, and there is also a 15.4 inch television screen.
While this is a quality offering, I have two criticisms. The first is the absence of a privacy panel between each seat.
Secondly, the cabin layout means that passengers sat by the windows do not have direct access to the aisle.
Korean Air has attempted to rectify this on its newly introduced Prestige Suite product, which despite being arranged in a 2-2-2 layout, has been installed in a way that allows passengers sitting next to the window to access the aisle without climbing over their neighbour.
THE FLIGHT
Korean Air flight 603 backed out of the parking gate at 0815, five minutes behind schedule. We took off at 0823 and approached our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet at around 0830 – at which time the seatbelt sign was turned off.
A flight attendant soon approached me and asked for my meal preference. I chose the Korean option of beef soup with noodles and steamed rice. The meal was served with two banchan (side dishes) of pickled vegetables.
The meal was excellent. I appreciated the fact that Korean Air provided two separate containers of chilli paste and salt. The beef was very tender. Dessert consisted of a simple plate of sweet and juicy fruit.
Korean Air offers a decent selection of inflight entertainment content, including many of this year’s Academy Award-winning and nominated films. There was also a large number of Asian movies and television shows. I settled on The Imitation Game with Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.
Service on the flight was impeccable. Every time an attendant came over to my seat, she did so with a smile and I was always addressed by name. The fact that the chief purser visited every passenger again just before arrival to thank him or her for flying with Korean Air was just the icing on the cake.
ARRIVAL
Descent was announced at 1120, and we touched down at Hong Kong International Airport at 1140 – right on schedule. I quickly passed through customs, and didn’t have to wait long before I could collect my luggage from the baggage carousel.
VERDICT
Aside from small gripes about the seat and the long queues at Incheon, the flight itself could not have gone any better. I was very impressed by the excellent food.
FACT FILE
- CONFIGURATION 2-2-2
- SEAT WIDTH 21in/53cm
- SEAT LENGTH 74in/188cm
- SEAT RECLINE 180 degrees
- PRICE Internet rates for a mid-week Seoul Incheon–Hong Kong return flight in June start at KRW1,018,700 (US$932), including taxes and surcharges.
- CONTACT koreanair.com
