Asiana Adding More First Class Capacity To Los Angeles

Asiana Adding More First Class Capacity To Los Angeles

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Asiana began their longhaul A380 service between Seoul Incheon and Los Angeles as of last fall, and just recently announced that they’ll expand A380 service to New York JFK as of June 13, 2015.

Star-Alliance-First-Lounge-LAX-42

Asiana’s route to New York JFK was previously operated by a Boeing 777-200ER in a three class configuration, meaning it featured a first class cabin. A majority of Asiana’s 777s are in a two class configuration (without first class), so I was kind of curious which route they’d next put the three class 777 on, given that they no longer needed it for JFK. As I explained in the previous post:

Now the question remains as to which route will get the 777-200 which is currently operating the New York JFK route. This is one of the 777s with their new first class product, while most of their other 777s are in a two class configuration, without a first class cabin. So that will be a big upgrade for whichever route gets it. My money is on either the second daily Los Angeles flight or the Chicago flight.

And it looks like we finally have our answer.

First class will be introduced on Asiana’s second daily Los Angeles service as of July 15, 2015.

Asiana-First-Class-1

That flight operates with the following schedule:

OZ204 Seoul Incheon to Los Angeles departing 8:20PM arriving 3:50PM
OZ201 Los Angeles to Seoul Incheon departing 12:50PM arriving 5:20PM (+1 day)

This swap from a two cabin 777 to a three cabin 777 represents a net capacity cut of 52 seats — there are eight more first class seats, the same number of business class, and 60 fewer economy class seats.

Award availability in first class on Asiana’s second daily LAX service is excellent, but then again Asiana is generally quite good about releasing award space.

Asiana-Awards

For what it’s worth, the first and business class hard products are roughly comparable on the A380 and 777, so the only advantage of the A380 is that it has a quieter cabin and is generally a smoother ride.

Asiana-A380-First-Class-005

Bottom line

I think offering first class service on both daily LAX flights is a smart move, given how competitive Korean Air is on that route. Besides, it’s nice to have another flight which allows access to the excellent Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX.

Star-Alliance-First-Lounge-LAX-16

Conversations (9)
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  1. Sharon Guest

    Do you know if 777 from LAX-ICN is also first class suite just like A380?

  2. ORDnHKG Guest

    How sure is it going to change to 3 class ? On your schedule, it shows 77L, which means it is a 2 class QS, not 3 class. As if it is 3 class, it would show as 77W instead.

    1. lucky OMAAT

      @ ORDnHKG -- ANA is always a bit slow on updating aircraft type, though the fare classes are correct already, so I'd say it's pretty certain.

  3. Miles Down Under Guest

    'excellent Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX'. More like: 'excellent Star Alliance First Class shoebox LAX'.

  4. Bill Guest

    I'd always choose an A380 over a 777. The A380 is a smoother quieter ride with huge lavs.

    Beyond Asiana First's champagne and caviar, the food doesn't come close to ANA's or JAL's.

  5. choi Guest

    what about the issue of UA website no longer shows OZ F, is it going to be a problem to book with UA miles ?

  6. Joey Diamond

    OZ201 is the A380 flight LAX-ICN. Perhaps you meant the OZ203 flight?

  7. Lantean Diamond

    I flew this 777 F last year and it was decent... but you will not get Ferragamo on 777. the green tea cake was divine.

  8. Zach New Member

    Ben,

    Would ANA be the best way to redeem for Asiana first class out of LAX, outside of using Avianca?

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Sharon Guest

Do you know if 777 from LAX-ICN is also first class suite just like A380?

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lucky OMAAT

@ ORDnHKG -- ANA is always a bit slow on updating aircraft type, though the fare classes are correct already, so I'd say it's pretty certain.

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ORDnHKG Guest

How sure is it going to change to 3 class ? On your schedule, it shows 77L, which means it is a 2 class QS, not 3 class. As if it is 3 class, it would show as 77W instead.

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