Review: Korean Air A380 First Class Seoul Incheon to Los Angeles

No door on suite? Pass.

Was the cabin very warm? I flew the A380 ICN - JFK last Fall, and it was crazy warm the whole way.

Great review. Great Service.
HORRBLE COLORS in First Class seats - reminds me of a sanitized hospital room !

Just because no doors? seriously? Are you doing something in the suites that you're not supposed to? lol

I've always been curious...When airlines have little bars set up at the front, like they did on your flight, or like lufthansa sets up at the front of the first class cabin, are you expected/allowed to just serve yourself a drink? Or are you supposed to flag down a flight attendant to do it for you?

Also, it appears that not a single bar on the flight was getting any use at all. I'm surprised nobody would take advantage of that option for a bit of a 'change of scenery'.

@ Neil S. -- Yes, it was definitely on the warm side, though not really uncomfortably so.

@ C Diddy -- Yeah, it's always funny when airlines do that in first class. The bars are intended to be self serve, though at the same time the whole concept of flying first class on a proper airline is that you don't actually have to serve yourself.

So I think it's mostly for show, and partly to allow a change of scenery of the passenger so chooses.

I was also surprised by the lack of lounge use. I guess that's because it was a redeye flight.

Great review! JESUS that turquoise/aqua/teal is so ugly. If they used a brown or grey or any other color it would be SO MUCH MORE PLEASING.

I'd love to see you review one of the Japanese airlines to see how they stack up. JAL and ANA seem like they both have pretty up-to-date products. 🙂

@ Garrett -- I flew ANA's new first class back in August and LOVED it. Easily one of my favorite products. The review can be found here:
https://onemileatatime.com/review-ana-first-class-chicago-to-tokyo-narita/

I also did Japan Airlines first class between Tokyo and New York back in 2012, though hope to try their new product soon:
https://onemileatatime.com/singapore-for-the-weekend-japan-airlines-first-class-tokyo-narita-to-new-york-jfk/

so basically only 4 entree options total? emirates has like 10 or so.

but overall seems like a great product! 😉

Wow, that looks great! I'm pretty impressed that I can see the quality of the food from the photos. For example, the bacon looks really crisp and the melon is clearly ripe, not like the flavorless chunks you get on say, United. The yogurt toppings are pretty awesome too.

so the question everyone wants to know is...who has hotter flight attendants? Korean Air or Asiana?

@Lucky thanks! Now it'll be another half hour before I actually do any work 🙂

Great trip report! Really enjoyed the details and pictures. I'll be flying KE ICN-JFK on the A380 in March so this was a good way to know what to expect. One question, did it feel weird walking around the cabins with the pajamas on? I definitely plan on using the PJ's but just wondering if you got any stares 😛

I cannot believe they serve that low-class, sugary trash for cereal.

Sounds like a great fist class product.

Lucky, how private is the seat when the privacy shield is up? I didn't notice any pics of the seat with the shield up. Is it as private as Lufthansa's seat?

Korean Air isn't going to hold the crown for highest-density a380 for that long with Air Austral's all-economy 840 seater coming later in 2014! Have fun with that flight, Lucky!

Stupid question: but, you have to return the pajamas and headsets after, right?

Phenomenal report/pictures! Vicariously enjoyed the experience (sans jet lag!)

I agree with the color scheme comments. (I find the exterior color a bit unsettling too.) Appreciated the amazing Korean dining selection pics and commentary on the delivery of them. The song selection upon arrival obviously had you in mind. 😉

@ Andy -- Not at all, but then again I'm used to it. Have been doing it for years! 😀

@ Ken Y. -- Worry not, they have muesli and corn flakes for classy people like you!

@ wwk5d -- It's fairly private, though I do wish that the shield would have gone up another six inches or so. It doesn't go quite as high as Lufthansa's unfortunately. If you're tall you'll be able to look over it when sitting down.

@ Tom -- Hah, not sure I'll be trying that one. But to clarify, Korean Air has the *lowest* density A380s, so I don't think Air Austral will be giving them any competition there. 😀

@ Joe -- You have to return the headphones but you can keep the pajamas. All airlines I know of let you keep pajamas (ANA used to collect them before landing, but not anymore).

@lucky eww...recycled pajamas...hahaha

Corn flakes is also trash. Wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Museli is semi-healthy with its nuts and if the dried fruits are not sugared. Nutrients are lost in rolled oats and processed grains.

why is my question being ignored? 😉

Hello United and American!!!! This is what is called first class!!!! Mind to learn with Korean?

For a right-handed person, is it better to sit on the left or right side?

Great report. I used some Skymiles last week for my mom to fly Korean Air business (including the A380 to/from LAX) so forwarding pics of the upper deck to her. I'm actually meeting up with her before she flies back from Asia and am considering just getting KE F with my UR points to fly the same flight back since Cathay F availability has dropped.

@ John -- I don't think it really makes a difference, to be honest. There are armrests on both sides.

@ Luis -- I'd say they're both pretty, but Korean Air's are probably a bit more "made up."

Lucky. As Mark is to toilets I am to champagne, if you had not already guessed. Perrier Jouet is made of lovely chardonnay and Pinot Noir (50% split). The only shame is it should have been a 2004 vintage. Hope you enjoyed and did you manage a whole bottle?

Coins,
I'm very impressed with the wine list, except for Kendall Jackson.

@ john galbraith -- Yep, finished more than a bottle!

Hands off to you Lucky!! Now all they need are the matching glasses.

or hats even and i have not been at the champers

"Allow me" from Korean beats the "F*** You look" from United in F class

This is quite similar to my experience on KE F on the same flight. It was "phenomenal" Especially salad! I prefer the openness over the enclosed suite anyway since I am not a privacy freak. Little touches like yogurt, tea, etc. VERY nice! Some people said "I don't know why people give a fuzz about the soft product", that's because they never experience it, if you had someone do this to you, would you be annoyed and said "Oh no I rather eat from the plastic container", no! It would just make you smile!

@Lucky, I would love to see the report on China Eastern, seriously! Wanna know how it compare to China Southern and Air China.

I have to say that this looks quite fantastic! I am comparing to the (old) F on an OZ 747 on the same route, but I have to say that the meal choices look much better on KE. The FAs on my flight told me that they did not even cater the Korean option for F ex-ICN, it was only an order ahead option. I only could choose only between the Western option or the Chinese option from ICN to LAX. I do seem to recall that they did cater two types of champagne on OZ, though. The service on OZ reminded me of CX - but I liked CX better. Just my two cents.

Looks very nice!

Not sure why J FAs didn't realize you were an F passenger since you had PJs on. Or do J people get same PJs?

Wow I really appreciated your review on this. Hope to meet you in Seattle. My wife is from Korea and we go there every 12 to 18 months mostly on AA as we originate i. DFW. Now i have an option with my Chase Points from 6 or more cards. Very much appreciate the detail of your blog. I read it every day.

@ Ivan Y -- For what it's worth I was just wearing the pants from the pajamas and had an undershirt top on at the time, so they may not have recognized it.

I don't believe Korean Air gives out pajamas in business class.

@ John Phillips -- Thanks for reading, hope to meet you as well!

Wow. Hello Seattle on a plane made in Toulouse. I always picture a Boeing aircraft flying from Paine field and around Mount Rainier when I hear that song. Then again, maybe the Airbus people are now courting Boeing suppliers.

I've been on KE F flights 20+ times and their service is exactly as you described and pretty good.
However, it's basically only on par with CX, SQ, and OZ, etc.
Maybe you had an excellent KE flight, but it's nothing special over those airlines.
The only airline that's substantially inferior is JL.

Really enjoyed this TR. I flew Asiana F NRT-ICN-LAX 3 months ago and seriously enjoyed the flights. However, I have been curious about flying KE but absolutely hate their colors inside and out of their planes. Just over the top BAD!

Your review is pushing me to try them and just to get over the horrid colors for my next trip to Japan.

But, please, KE, are you reading Lucky's blog? PLEASE do a major change to your color scheme. It's hideous!! It is embarrassing to fly your airline since it looks like someone is color blind that came up with these terrible colors from a Westerner's perspective!!

Lucky,

I was just on the same flight two weeks ago from Icn to Lax in prestige class. The business class was only about 25% full.....which was great when I had two seats (window side) by myself. The flight attendants also spoke really good English compared to the ones I encountered in economy years ago and the service was superb! One thing I can recommend about midflight snack do not order the ramen if you cannot tolerate high level of heat...I love their small tube of chilli paste with korean option but the Raman was even too spicy for me.

Service was great and wonderful FAs that worked around the clock to make sure you are okay..(instead of gathering in the galley and wonder why you want to bother them....some of you know what I am talking about with US airlines...)...the biz class breakfast was way off from yours though..my omelette was rubbery that I could not swallow..(I find delta's eggs in a thin crepe tasty so I am not that picky).

Same thing on my flight with the bars...ie..empty.....wish they had more choices for non vodka drinkers but one of the best experience I've had in biz class.

Great summary Lucky! F does seem quite nice and will plan on trying at some point in the future.

But this is a far cray from the J experience. Also flew the A380 but the J FA's seemed much more indifferent and not friendly - hardly any smiles. It was like the treatment you got at the bar before the F FA got there. The front bar is nice in concept but dirty glassware was never picked up and empty water bottle never refilled. They also served the arrival meal 4 hours prior to landing - so I am glad your arrival meal in F was better timed.

Great report, as usual!

One thing striked me though: looking at the duty free display. Is that right in front of an emergency exit!?

@Lucky Air NZ also serves yoghurt in a bowl at your seat in business class.

Great review Lucky. I have flown both KE and OZ F on JFK-ICN route last six month. In my humble opinion, food/catering was better with Asiana. Overall food taste and better western/Korean menu options was better with Asiana. Perhaps after your horrible China Southern experience you appreciated a civilized airline service. 😉

@ Mike -- Yeah, that is a bit odd.

@ The Global Traveller -- But do they "garnish" it? 😀

Apple Jacks in 1st class for breakfast. Now that is freakin' awesome!

@lucky - you can get fruit salad with your yoghurt

Thanks for taking the time on the review, great info.

@ anon - Fly ANA First in the square suites, then while a flight attendant (female) passes by grab her and close the doors then do whatever you want. 🙂

@ Lucky - Do it, MU A330!

"possibly simultaneously the most awesome and useless thing ever!" LUL

@lucky - what were the taxes on this award? I am going to be booking 2 seats and don't want to be surprised!

@ trppn -- Full taxes/fees can be found in this post:
https://onemileatatime.com/rounding-out-the-a380s-introduction/

I flew Emirates 380 from Dubai to JFK and the first class was on the front of the main cabin. Not on the upper deck as the article states.

@ prasad -- It is at the top of the upper deck. Here's the seatmap:
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Emirates_Airlines/Emirates_Airlines_Airbus_A380.php

[…] loved reading this impressive blog from a guy called “Lucky” over at Boarding Area which superbly chronicles the experience of flying in First Class Suites on the Korean Air A380, […]

Good thing they served those macadamia nuts in a plate. You don't want to turn that plane around.

I just flew their A380 to JFK in F and the cabin was mostly full. The crew were popping into the lav after each passenger used it (presumably to clean it...) and they seemed very aware of people's interactions with the lav. At one point when a passenger was in there for a long time, the FA actually opened up the forward crew door to let people use the crew lav.

I also saw them nearly tackle someone from economy who'd tried to go forward to use the F lav 🙂

@ brianna -- Hah, sounds like a proactive crew and great flight!

"While the captain on my last Korean Air flight was American as far as I could tell, this one was Korean." -lucky

Your point?

Am I the only one who finds the color scheme to be quite elegant, calming and refreshing?

I know this is really late but I actually like the colour scheme. It's soothing and light and makes the whole place look even bigger.

Lucky, Would you recommend Korean First Class over Singapore 777-300 new first class?

@Ahmed LOL

@Lucky I really enjoyed reading your review

I tried Korean Air A380 business class. It was comfortable so I slept for 9 hours. So I don’t really remember other than sleeping. But in general it was not bad at all~~