Hello from New Chitose Airport (CTS), in Japan, as I continue my review trip to South Korea and Japan. Sadly I’m only here briefly, but I’ll be returning this winter, to go to Niseko. Okay, first question — aside from the airport name, do I say I’m in Chitose, or Sapporo, or Hokkaido, or…? Lots of options, it seems.
Anyway, following my Korean Air Boeing 787-10 flight across the Pacific, I just flew Korean Air’s Airbus A321neo business class, on the 2hr10min flight from Seoul Incheon (ICN).
I was looking forward to this flight, as the A321neo is Korean Air’s first narrow body jet to have flat beds, and it’s a fairly new addition to the fleet. So while I could have flown on a wide body jet, I instead decided to give this a try.
The flight was pretty good, all things considered. I mean, it certainly blows away anything you’d get in the United States, though that’s not saying a whole lot. The seats were comfortable, the entertainment and Wi-Fi were pretty good, and the crew was friendly. That being said, there are a few areas where Korean Air doesn’t match its rivals in the region.
With that in mind, I wanted to share some initial thoughts on the experience, and then soon I’ll have a full trip report.
In this post:
Korean Air’s A321neo business class cabin is cozy
Korean Air’s A321neo business class cabin consists of eight seats, spread across two rows, in a 2-2 configuration. The airline offers Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, which are some comfortable yet dense flat bed seats that are perfect for these kinds of jets. Color scheme aside, this is basically identical to Starlux’s A321neo business class cabin.
I appreciated the large partition between seats, which is something that I wish we also saw on Copa’s 737 MAXs. The seat had all the latest technology, from wireless charging, to bluetooth audio, to a 17″ high definition personal monitor, to AC, USB-A, and USB-C power outlets (though the USB-C outlet was 15W, rather than 60W on the 787).
What I appreciated less was the lack of individual air nozzles, as the cabin was kept quite warm.
Ultimately these seats don’t compare favorably to what you’ll find on most Korean Air wide body aircraft. However, they’re way better than what you’ll find on other Korean Air narrow body aircraft, which feature recliner seats, similar to what you might find in domestic first class within the United States.
There were also some amenities to help get more comfortable, like a pillow, blanket, and slippers.
Korean Air’s A321neo entertainment & Wi-Fi are competitive
Korean Air has greatly improved its entertainment selection over time. Not only is the monitor high definition and is there bluetooth audio, but the selection is quite good as well. No, it’s not to the level of Emirates ICE, but there’s a respectable selection of movies, TV shows, and audio, in addition to the map feature.
Korean Air is finally introducing Viasat Wi-Fi on its aircraft, with the A321neo being equipped with the service. Unlimited data for the entire flight cost $11.95. Unlike on the long haul flight, the speeds were actually not bad this time around, but they should be even better in the future, when Viasat installs a new satellite over the Pacific.
Korean Air’s business class food & drinks are okay
On this flight, there was the choice of a western or Korean business class meal. I selected the Korean option, which was bulgogi with mushrooms served with rice and steamed vegetables.
Then for dessert, there was some fresh fruit. While probably good for my waistline, it’s interesting how anti-dessert Korean Air seems to be. For example, in the Korean Air Lounge, there wasn’t a single dessert-style item at the buffet, and on this flight, fruit was the only dessert option. That’s not a problem, but just interesting…
Now, I have a couple more thoughts. First of all, Korean Air’s short haul alcohol selection is super cheap. There was no champagne on the menu, and there was one white wine and one red wine. The white wine was Maison Castel Grande Reserve Chardonnay, which sounds super fancy, but retails for under $8 per 750ml bottle. But then it’s also served in a small screw top bottle, like you’d maybe get in economy on an airline.
Next, while the flight attendant was very friendly, once again, Korean Air just has such bizarre assembly line-style service, which seems to just not be very intuitive. For example, the coffee cup is already placed on your tray when you’re brought the meal, and then halfway through the meal (while there was still a lot of food, and I had a full glass of wine), the flight attendant asked if I wanted some coffee.
I’m not trying to make a big deal of that, but rather I think it just sums up why Korean Air service is such a miss. The service isn’t based around anticipating what passengers might need at a particular point, but rather it’s just like checking boxes off a checklist. It’s a contrast to so many other airlines in the region.
I’d understand that if we were talking about a 45-minute intra-Europe flight with a huge business class cabin. But there were only eight passengers, and there were 90 minutes remaining in the flight, so there was no rush.
Bottom line
Korean Air’s A321neo business class is a solid experience, especially on a roughly two hour flight. The cabin is pretty, the entertainment and Wi-Fi are good, and Korean Air crews are friendly.
That being said, I walked away from my short haul flight with the same impression I had on my long haul flight. Korean Air isn’t quite in the top tier of Asian carriers. There’s just something missing with the soft product, which prevents the airline from being in the same league as Asia’s top carriers.
To provide a direct comparison, check out my recent Starlux A330neo business class flight that was of a similar length, also to Japan. Just compare the soft product, from the far superior meal, to the Taittinger champagne, to two red and two white options, to unique cocktail creations, to cappuccinos and iced coffees. It’s just in a totally different league.
What do you make of Korean Air’s A321neo business class?
I'd be fine w/ these seats on a narrow body intra-Asia or transcon US flight. Aisle access is overrated and limits number seats available for miles or lower fare. You're not gonna get up more than 2 times AT MOST on a 4-5 hr flight. Plus if you're traveling w/ someone, this is better than 1-1 seating.
Hey Ben,
'Next, while the flight attendant was very friendly, once again, Korean Air just has such bizarre assembly line-style service, which seems to just not be very intuitive. For example, the coffee cup is already placed on your tray when you’re brought the meal, and then halfway through the meal (while there was still a lot of food, and I had a full glass of wine), the flight attendant asked if I wanted some...
Hey Ben,
'Next, while the flight attendant was very friendly, once again, Korean Air just has such bizarre assembly line-style service, which seems to just not be very intuitive. For example, the coffee cup is already placed on your tray when you’re brought the meal, and then halfway through the meal (while there was still a lot of food, and I had a full glass of wine), the flight attendant asked if I wanted some coffee.'
I get it, but TBH I think a lot of this is cultural. In many Asian societies especially in the work place it is about following the rules. There would absolutely be 'service guidelines' with step 1, 2, 3 etc written down and the FA's would not be empowered to anticipate customers individual needs by deviating from the script.
One aspect you will often see Asian carriers get high marks for is consistency - whilst the assembly line method isn't particularly engaging to the local frequent flyers the consistency is what matters. Knowing every flight will more or less be a mirror of the one before and what comes when.
But as you experience, it can be a double edged sword.
I think the point is that the assembly line is stupidly designed, not that strict consistency is a bad thing.
Hard-product wise, KE A21Ns are excellent. Personally I prefer Collins Diamond seats on narrow-bodies than say, Thompson Vantage seats (too narrow footwells and in general, feeling very cramped) I've flown the type in economy class twice between Seoul and Busan, and it beats the airline's 737s in every way (obviously?). Wider seat, good legroom, excellent IFE (in both terms of hardware and software) and Wi-Fi, all of which are unfortunately not applicable to all KE...
Hard-product wise, KE A21Ns are excellent. Personally I prefer Collins Diamond seats on narrow-bodies than say, Thompson Vantage seats (too narrow footwells and in general, feeling very cramped) I've flown the type in economy class twice between Seoul and Busan, and it beats the airline's 737s in every way (obviously?). Wider seat, good legroom, excellent IFE (in both terms of hardware and software) and Wi-Fi, all of which are unfortunately not applicable to all KE 737s besides B38M.
What's most interesting to me, though is that those jets have air nozzles in economy class but not in business class - I've seen the cases where it's the other way around, but never this way around.
I understand the demand scheme for short-haul business class are different in other regions, but European airlines still opting for a blocked economy class seat and North American airlines installing seats more akin to international premium economy on their narrow-body jets, are just shame compared to those Asian airlines installing a long-haul seats for all classes on their narrow-bodies.
You are in Chitose at the airport, in Sapporo in the city and in Hokkaido if you are outside Sapporo. Source: Lived in Japan for decades.
Chitose is an awesome airport, pro tip if stuck there without lounge access the combini past security sells beer and alcohol which you can take to the gate.
You're still in Hokkaido even if you're inside Sapporo. Sapporo is a city (to be specific, city designated by government ordinance (政令指定都市)), which is one unit lower from and included in prefectural units. You might have confused with the likes of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto where all three...
You're still in Hokkaido even if you're inside Sapporo. Sapporo is a city (to be specific, city designated by government ordinance (政令指定都市)), which is one unit lower from and included in prefectural units. You might have confused with the likes of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto where all three of them have a prefectural status (Tokyo being to (都), Osaka and Kyoto being fu (府)).
Koreans love dessert and have shops all over the place dedicated to it. Tons and tons of varieties. Next time spend some time there and you'll see. Korean desserts such as the shaved ice are amazing and the variety is endless.
I mean, Hokkaido is the whole island, so you're in Hokkaido wherever you are on that island.
I’ve been looking forward to try the KE A321neo from ICN to HKG in the next few months, and this gives a really good overview on how Korean Air’s latest narrowbody product looks like, given that it’s historically been a 737 operator. (It’s sad that KE stopped flying the A220 to HKG, as it’s such a nice, spiffy little plane which is extremely hard to find outside the US, Canada and Europe. But that’s probably...
I’ve been looking forward to try the KE A321neo from ICN to HKG in the next few months, and this gives a really good overview on how Korean Air’s latest narrowbody product looks like, given that it’s historically been a 737 operator. (It’s sad that KE stopped flying the A220 to HKG, as it’s such a nice, spiffy little plane which is extremely hard to find outside the US, Canada and Europe. But that’s probably for the better, since the A220 isn’t as nice inside, with no seatback IFE!)
While not a patch on Starlux’s A321neo, of course, KE certainly beats the non-lie-flat seats on CX’s A321neo — though I’ll certainly prefer the latter in Economy for its unrivalled entertainment and 4K IFE screen. I still think back fondly to my Cathay A321neo flight to Hanoi at the fag end of 2023, which was superlative in every way (not to mention Barbie in 4K!).
Speaking of Asian narrowbodies, I do hope that you’ll give SQ’s 737 MAX a try soon, as that’s probably the standout best in Southeast Asia — and maybe pair it with Vistara’s A321neo, as I’ve often asked before, before it disappears. These two are Asian lie-flat products worth reviewing, with ANA and China Airlines’ A321neos also coming to mind. I hope EVA Air also brings its world-beating widebody service to its upcoming A321neos!
I guess you're sad about KE ditching out 737s, because then you can't "visualise yourself flying Qsuites or Air France or JAL or something of that kind! ;)" anymore onboard their 737.
For the record, KE isn’t ditching the 737 at all, so get your facts straight. Quite to the contrary, it operates the 737 MAX 8 alongside the A321neo, A220 and existing 737s, unlike SkyTeam partner China Airlines, which is replacing all its 737-800s with A321neos and not 737 MAXes.
ANA A21Ns don't have flat-bed business class. Those don't have a business class, but rather a "Premium Class" (ANA domestic business class), with recliner seats and exclusively flies within Japan.
Ah, my apologies. I guess I got my Asian narrowbody premium products mixed up, given that so many of them now operate the A321neo, as well as EVA and JAL in the future. It shows just how competitive Northeast Asian airlines are in every way, though I do wish SQ also operated the A320/1neo. Thanks for the tip!
@VT-CIE - to me, it feels like A21Ns are becoming more popular in Asia than the basic variant of the family, A20N, at least when it comes to major full-service carriers. I guess it's in favour of installing more advanced seats in premium cabin (which takes up more space) while still maintaining economy class capacity - doing so requires more space, and not easy for A20N which whose fuselage is on the shorter side.
...@VT-CIE - to me, it feels like A21Ns are becoming more popular in Asia than the basic variant of the family, A20N, at least when it comes to major full-service carriers. I guess it's in favour of installing more advanced seats in premium cabin (which takes up more space) while still maintaining economy class capacity - doing so requires more space, and not easy for A20N which whose fuselage is on the shorter side.
JAL A21Ns on order are expected to replace the airline's 767s used on Japan domestic flights, but since the airline has some international version B738s I guess the airline could order extra A21Ns to fly internationally (could be a good replacement for its Sky Suite II 767s). EVA Air seems pretty likely to install flat-bed seats so since the other two Taiwanese major carriers have A21Ns with flat-bed seats already.
Hopefully you get to try CXs A321neos. Have you tried Collins' Air Rest? I think you might've on Oman Air at some point. The only thing missing on their neos would probably be wireless charging.
Just my 2 cents, but I find airline branding on everything from slippers to blankets especially if it's bold and in your face to be tacky.
Comparing Korean Air to Starlux is like comparing apples to oranges. While Starlux is ultra luxurious, Korean Air is more in line with other national and independent carriers. Safe & happy travels!
Excellent review. This is the sort of content that really helps. Thanks.