Korean Air has come up to be a world class airline and their premium product is fantastic. I was lucky enough to take a First Class flight from Atlanta via Seoul to Bangkok.
The Atlanta Flight leaves at midday and uses the double Decker A380. Check in at Atlanta Hartsfield is in their new international terminal. Feeling spacious and hassle free check in with Korean Air was a breeze. There was no premium lane for security but once through the screening Korean Air let you use the Delta Sky Club . As Delta has only a Business class product there are no extra lounger offers for being in First. Delta has upgraded all their Sky Clubs in Atlanta so they are modern and sleek.
Boarding with a First Class seat was straight onto the plane. Excitement rolls in to see this massive plane that has just 3 rows up front. The seats are 1 -2 -1 configuration and are as spacious as they get. The ambience is wonderful and fresh while the crew wear very modern beige and blue silk shirts and pants. For some reason Korean Air do not pay the Duty to allow them to offer alcohol until the plane has taken off. So fresh juice and water was handed out with Ginafrano Ferre sleep suits and amenity kits.
In the front galley there is a little help your self bar for premium liquors once you have taken off. Up the stairs there is another small private seating area that had a free standing bar. Business Class runs the entire deck of the upstairs and at the rear there is a Martini bar with more seating. This makes you feel like you are in a private jet or drinking during the old fashioned days of the Pan Am 747 upstairs bar at the back. Down the stairs to the back of the plane has a little area for Duty Free where you actually can see and test the products. That’s a nice touch.
Dinner service was fantastic. Korean Air uses organic food where possible in Business and First. Hors d’oeuvres were served and then there was a choice of Western or Korean cuisine. Their signature dish is a classic Korean Bibimbap and this is the best meal I have ever had in the sky. (Rice on one plate, beef on another which you mix yourself along with a Korean spicy sauce and sesame oil. Together you have the most amazing array of flavors.) Entertainment is pristine with a huge screen that pops out in front. Seats are luxurious and have plenty of space when made into a lay flat bed with crew giving you a duvet and pillow
Arrival into Incheon can be a bit of a challenge as all the US flights arrive at a similar time and the First Class Lounge in a very modern new airport was not as modern as you would imagine. But the food is plentiful and so are the beverages . The one extra you will get that I have never seen before is a service at the front desk where they make you silver plated luggage bags with your personal details attached. The ICN airport is easy to move around and spacious. There are plenty of Duty Free stores and little treats to take home from the Korean international fare.
Boarding for the Bangkok flight was seamless again as a separate boarding for First and Business class and a 777 was used on this segment. Again, great modern seats in a 1-2 -1 configuration, this time with only 2 rows. A similar food service that you would get on a long haul was offered and Bibimbap was served again. Friendly and polite crew have a wide verse of languages with English spoken well.
Arrival into Bangkok was on time and cleanliness was top class on all segments.
All in All Korean Airlines is on a par with Cathay, Singapore and Japan Airlines.
Daniel Green, the Model Cook is a Celebrity Chef known for his healthy approach to food and living well. With TV, books, magazines and live appearances, Daniel spends his time helping fans to cook better, feel better and live better. He’s also an avid traveler and a self-confessed Foodie.
To contact Daniel or learn more visit www.themodelcook.com or follow on Twitter @themodelcook.
