Before I even start with the report, I should mention that I flew exactly the same flight from Seoul to Frankfurt a couple of years ago, and you can find my review from then here. The major difference was that the flight was operated by a 777 then, as opposed to the 747 that operates…
Continue reading: The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Asiana First Class Seoul Incheon to Frankfurt
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Is that Kimchee that they gave you with the "soup" (I'm assuming you mean the Ramen?).
Does the FA wait for you to come out of the bathroom at the door? I think I'd be uncomfortable with someone waiting by the bathroom during my usage... 😉
It's a plastic bag. Slide it down. Then lift your luggage out of it, or tip it over and slide the remainder of the plastic bag off.
Wow. You've made mention of this in at least two blog entries and it's something I wouldn't ever give a second thought about. Amazing what bothers some is a non-issue for others, and vice versa.
Here's what I hate that most people probably don't care much about: IFE systems that use two-prong audio plugs. I cannot stand these with a passion since I have to remember to bring my adapter. Why are these things still used?!
@ jimbo -- The name had slipped me, though you're absolutely right. And they don't really wait outside the lav, but instead in the galley so they can see when you leave.
@ ArizonaGuy -- It was tougher than it sounds, trust me!
All you have to do, Lucky, is to untie the plastic bag, roll the suitcase over until its upside down, and the plastic bag will come right off. Then of course roll the suitcase upright again. No lifting involved!
Allow me to don my snark hat.
Do you have trouble bagging / unbagging groceries? 🙂
Gotta admit that that 747 has a weird configuration with the cargo in the back pushing coach up to first class. Coach being noisier than business, could you hear them from where you were?
I can see how you could have a problem undoing the plastic bag. Did they make you get a plastic bag or did they give you a choice?
I wouldn't prefer the plastic bag, but I don't think it's such a big deal either. It was explained to me that it was so the bag won't get dirty/wet and as a bit of a deterrent to theft. Actually when I'm in the Middle East I see a lot of south Asians headed home basically doing this themselves by wrapping what looks like plastic wrap all over their bag multiple times, cutting holes for the handle and wheels to come through.
I've had some major damage to luggage over the years, so I'd rather have that bag, difficult or not. To be fair, that bag looks to be quite thick gauge plastic, and finding a trashcan to put it in without getting dirty one's self might be hard.
@ JD -- Didn't notice too much noise, fortunately.
@ TL -- They automatically did it. I'm sure we could have refused.
@ Ken -- Their new business class looks spectacular, so I'd love to try it out, since the food and service in business class is very good.
"I typically only like comedies. I never understood the point of fictional dramas. There’s enough sad stuff going in the world, why watch a movie about something sad that’s made up?"
They're going to love you in TriBeCa! 😛
Just curious... as a rather big guy myself, was XL the largest size the PJs came in? I have a feeling I'd never fit. 😉
Interesting that they don't offer 2 main dishes like they did the last trip. But, the food looks really good...I guess it's still one of your Top 2 airlines in terms of food? I would have loved to try the Bulgogi...
That's a huge waste of space at the front of the cabin...
Hey, Lucky, nice trip report -- looks like you had a great flight. Two comments:
1) Next time, take the duffel bag and send it to me -- I'll pay for the shipping! 😉
2) I would definitely appreciate the plastic bag. While I'm not downplaying the hard time you had removing it, I'm sure it took no more than a couple of minutes of your time, while a damaged bag can cost hundreds, considering how expensive (good) luggage is these days!
@ Andy -- Yes, I felt like the front of the cabin had a ton of wasted space as well. The food definitely wasn't quite as good as last time (I was sad to no longer see the pasta course, as you mention), though it's still among my top two along with Swiss.
@ A. S. -- The next one is coming to you for sure!
I think the plastic bag is a nice touch. And yes, it probably does deter some casual thefts, it may also 'mark' your bag as First Class, with better pickings. A toss-up.
The food in first class is much better than that in business class. Asiana's service is flawless. I was travelling with a friend on Asiana from ICN to SFO. They somehow delayed my friend's meal. Ever since then, the flight attendant apoligized at least 5 times at different occations. My friend kept telling her not a big deal. And before final arrival, the head flight attendant came to say goodbye and apologize again.
@Eric: I was ALSO wondering about the champagne in First Class. Lucky promised to include the wine list in this report. Promises, promises. I predict that, as the years pass, Lucky will develop more of an interest in wine, especially when he finds out what the aspartame in all those Diet Pepsis are doing to him!
@Lucky: The above was written in that tense called Third Person Absent where we discuss you as if you weren't here.
I really DO appreciate your including the food menus. Wine with Korean food is a bit of a challenge. It would have been interesting to see what was on offer. Happy landings.
"There’s enough sad stuff going in the world, why watch a movie about something sad that’s made up?"
Yeah seriously. Why should people read books, see plays, enjoy paintings that depict and explore emotions other than joy? You nailed it Lucky.
An excellent report lucky! If I take a future F Star award to Asia, I will consider OZ. The inflight amenities look very nice.
Not a fan of the bag wrap at all. Had bag wrapped in Prague for flight to US. After claiming bag in US to forward it on to my domestic connection, I left the wrap on. Some Jack-ass TSA inspector decided to use a box cutter to remove wrap and sliced up my tumi suitcase in 6 different places when rescreening the bag in the US. Amazingly, TUMI replaced the suitcase without a peep.
I'm in favor of wrapping, since it lets you know right off the bat if your bag has been opened so you can make sure nothing was taken.
Lucky, lol about being 'scarred for life' after coming out of the bathroom in your pajamas. Why were people looking at you with evil glares?
@Eric, @AUSTEX, the champagne was Winston Churchill, Paul Roger 1998 and Comte Champagne, blanc de blanc, Tattinger 2000 back in February when I last flew Asiana.
If you've ever had your bag left out in the rain for hours, that's an instance you'd appreciate the plastic wrap.
@ AUSTEX -- I feel awful. I intentionally "stole" the wine list just for you, my resident sommelier, and I spent about an hour looking for it yesterday morning. I couldn't find it. 🙁
@ Coutureguy -- Cause I had pajamas on and was comfortable!
Regarding your paltry nuts - there are some herbal supplements that might help that problem!
@ Lucky - I'm flattered. There are other win lovers here as well.
@ Eric - Thanks for the champagne report. I am amazed at the cheap (but not necessarily bad) wine that some airlines serve in their premium cabins.
@ PanAm - No there's not.
I flew Asiana a couple of years ago. Got beat up by a little old lady who did not like it that I put my seat back. Told the stewardess, but she did nothing. Had to yell at the old bat when she tried to smack the back of my head AGAIN and hit my grandson instead. Not a nice flight!
Champagne--from my memory, something with "Comet" in it---one of the European carriers(LH or Swiss) also serve it in their F class.
2 things lucky. Firstly, that gift is absolutely cool. It is a nice touch and awesome if anything. Period. Secondly, do you know of any airlines that fly their 747's without the bulkhead upfront? It would be a pretty interesting seat.
How do you get so many pics so close to takeoff and landing?
Aren't electronics supposed to be turned off?
@ Darren -- They all have a bulkhead of some sort, though some are smaller than others. For example, Cathay Pacific has an extra couple of windows visible if you're seated in the first row, so you can almost look forward.
@ Tripper -- Nope, I have a special type of camera that doesn't take batteries or have an on/off switch.
Oh! I see. It would be kind of cool if they made a new version of the 747 with a window exactly up front. Or even just a conversion of an exsising plane. I would pay good money just to sit on a seat with a view like that!
Wife and I have LAX-ICN on hold with Asiana 747 in F. Thanks for the report. Wonder if they have updated their planes at all over the past year? Agree that color scheme is pretty bad, but as long as seat is comfortable and service/food are exceptional, that's all that really matters to us.
@ Curtis -- The hard product remains the same, though food and service are still excellent on Asiana, so I'd go with them.