January 17
I flew with Asiana Airlines this past November in First Class to Seoul (its amenity kit review here) and Business Class on the return. Below is my review of the Business Class offering for this installment of Amenity Kit Reviews. For a better description of each category, and the 7-point scale for scoring, please review my introduction post here.
Bag/Container: The gray zipper bag is sturdy canvas-like vinyl and lined with soft-padded nylon. Two small elastic pockets are available on each side of the interior along with a tag denoting LSG Sky Chefs supplied the bag. The Asiana logo graces one edge of the well-manufactured kit and while not luxurious in any sense, it meets the acceptable range in this category. A finger handle might have been nice on the opposing side of the logo. Score: 4
Skin Care: Asiana partnered with L’Occitane for their Business Class amenities and this kit includes lip balm, hand cream and skin milk. Both the lip balm and hand cream are infused with shea butter and each are effective, though I find the hand cream to be a bit too greasy for my taste. Its scent, though, is light and pleasant and includes jasmine and ylang-ylang. The Orange Soft Skin Milk, on the other hand, applies smoothly and instantly absorbs without leaving a greasy feel. I was expecting a true orange/citrus scent, but it actually smells more like a feminine perfume. Additional items including lotion and facial spritz were available in the lavs, so this category gets a slight nudge up. Score: 5
Oral Care: A very, very mini tube of Colegate toothpaste is found in the kit and maybe it’s my “man” hands, but as soon as I take the cap off, it goes flying off onto the floor (or worse). Not a big deal, though, as it really is meant to be a single-use tube. Asiana does stock additional toothbrush/paste sets in their Business Class lavs. The kit’s toothbrush is a notch up from the norm. When the brush portion is inserted into the case, it’s full-sized and also has notches where your thumb is normally positioned when brushing to prevent slippage. This category gets a very slight bump up due to the extra supplies in the lavatory, but I’d still like to see mouthwash or mints standard in premium classes. Score: 5
Comfort Items: Earplugs and eyeshades are included inside the kit with slippers already awaiting you in your seatback pocket when you sit down. The earplugs are soft and the usual style found with most amenity kits. While definitely not nearly as soft as the First Class offering, the Business Class eyeshades are sufficient and also feature an adjustable Velcro strap. I’ll take slippers over socks any day as an amenity, and while my size 11.5 feet extend a bit further out back from the edge, they’re still a nicer option. Combs are also available in the lavatories. Score: 5
Intangibles: Both the kit and slippers are at your seat awaiting you and I couldn’t help but immediately be disappointed when picking up the bag as compared to the First Class offering. Still, though, this kit provides a slightly above adequate impression and the separate slippers seal the deal. Score: 5
Total score & comments:
Essentially, this amenity kit contained just about everything that I’d expect from a Business Class offering. There was nothing exceptional about it, but it did meet and slightly exceed average when compared to others. The branding was subtle and I was even happy to see it on the slippers.
Bag/Container: Asiana provides a cream-colored leather zipper bag of amenities to each First Class passenger, along with pajamas in a silk-like zipper bag and slippers in a drawstring nylon pouch. The inside of the kit is lined with similarly colored nylon with a small side elastic pouch. The bag isn’t brand named and has a leather tag sewn into the front with the Asiana Airlines name and logo. Reusability is high as the bag expands generously and will accommodate a decent supply of small items. Score: 6
I was very impressed with everything except oral care and hope Asiana will take note of the mouthwash issue. Full-sized pens were distributed with the immigration and customs documents and even though I always carry multiple pens, I’m happy to have added another airline brand to my collection. Bvlgari is a well-respected and high-end brand deserving of such a partnership with this service-oriented airline. Job well done, Asiana. Overall Score: 5.85
After some window shopping, I made my way to gate 41 and scouted out a good window seat in a far corner to watch my 747 arrive.
My video trip report – eventually appearing below – includes shots of the arrival and here are a couple of pics directly after brakes were set and cholks were positioned. Notice all the aircraft type markers on the tarmac. I don’t think they see too many DC-10s or 747SPs anymore.
Boarding was highly organized as expected and again, the agents I interacted with spoke excellent English.
I was greeted pleasantly and shown the way to seat 21K across the aisle on the lower deck. There are only three rows in Business downstairs on Asiana’s 747s with fewer seats than upstairs, so figured it was a good spot with more personalized service. My best views came from windows five and six when you count from the beginning of Business Class.
Boarding continued, my jacket was hung and I was offered my choice of water, orange juice or champagne. The amenity kit and slippers were already placed in the seatback pocket. I’ll fully review the amenity kit for a future installment of 
Asiana presently offers angled lie-flat seats in Business Class and while not as good as true lie-flat, I found the seat very comfortable and was able to sleep just fine. Here’s the seat control unit, entertainment remote and right-armrest adjustment button.
We pushed back ontime and again I noticed how Asiana’s attendants take great care in ensuring all overheads are latched securely as well as bow at the beginning of the safety video. Ground crews at all locations also wave to the passengers as the plane begins to taxi… another nice touch.
I went with the Western option for dinner and selected the grilled chicken breast with vegetables and basil pesto. To begin was prosciutto with tomato on an iceberg leaf with a Parmesan bread stick. (Sorry about the bad lighting).
Next up was avocado rolled salmon with horseradish sour cream.
Cream of cauliflower soup was served next and while I’m not a fan of whole cauliflower, this was pretty tasty (with added salt & pepper).
My main course of grilled chicken with veggies arrived and the chicken was surprisingly moist. I usually find airline chicken to be dry and mostly tasteless without any sauce.
Then it was on to fruit & cheese, followed by a delicious cheese mouse cake and a petit four, or as I call it, a nice piece of chocolate.
Coffee and tea were offered with dessert, but I was fully looking forward to a nice sleep, so asked for a bottle of water. Before reclining back I took a trip to the lav and found the now common to me amenities of combs, toothbrush & paste sets, lotion, facial spritz and eau de toilette.
I woke up about 3.5 hours out of Los Angeles, so missed the mid-flight snack options that included sandwiches, fruit, ramen, warm noodles, a Korean laver rice roll and chips. After freshening up a bit in the lav, I returned and watched some of Asiana’s excellent on-demand entertainment.
To begin was yogurt and fresh fruit with a choice of bread.
I ended up going with the risotto that came with a spear of asparagus and sundried tomatoes. It was good, but my Western taste would have preferred eggs of some kind.
We approached Los Angeles a touch early and landed to the West. As we turned the corner into the gate complex, I snapped a shot of a Korean Air A380.
It was a fantastic flight and service was top-notch. Every single time a flight attendant came through the curtain from First Class, they had a smile on their face. My interactions with them at my seat were also incredibly pleasant and always with a smile and little bow. It’s such a joy to fly non-U.S. carriers internationally.
It’s spacious with plenty of comfortable seating areas and a piano graces the center of the lounge.
The dark wood fixtures with books, newspapers and magazines gave it a library-like feel.
Down a narrow hallway, four shower rooms were available on one side with massage chair rooms on the other. I am once again a bad blogger and didn’t check out a shower room given I had just taken one at the transit hotel.
Planespotters will be happy with this lounge as there are a couple of areas lined with windows facing the tarmac.
Lounge agents were abundant and always walked by with a smile. The buffet section was just okay… nothing particularly stellar about it. Soups, noodles, veggies, cheese, crackers, toast and other items were available along with a well-stocked beverage section.
I had chicken porridge soup with a Korean coke that in my opinion is flatter than what we’re used to here in the U.S.
Not pictured is a large and separate business center lined with computers and a printer. Converters were available at the front desk and I plugged in to catch up on emails. Very few outlets were found in the main part of the lounge, which is a major complaint. I saw numerous people hunting for those few that existed along the wall.
I didn’t make a reservation ahead of time and was simply hoping they’d have a vacancy, which they did. Their website states arrivals after 6:00pm require the purchase of a 12-hour block of time and that’s what I had to pay at 4:30am. It came out to about US$114, so not bad at all.
It was a quick check-in and I made my way to room 118, an inside room without a window (outside rooms are available with windows).
Their website showcases exactly what you get and when I entered my room there were no surprises.
The bed was fantastically comfortable and I was actually thankful for an inside room so I didn’t have to deal with any light pollution once the sun rose. I was very tired by this point and slept a solid five hours.
The only clock in the room was wall-mounted, so it’s pretty imperative to have your mobile phone fully charged to set an alarm, or rely on a wake-up call from the front desk. I set my phone and woke refreshed and ready for a shower
I didn’t pre-plan like I normally do and have water with me, so ended up using one of the in-room waters from the mini-fridge (it was US$2). Other amenities were available for purchase including Gillette Mach 3 razors with shaving cream and a toothbrush kit.
Inside the bathroom, complimentary amenities included a comb, sanitary bag, shower cap, cotton tips and shea body lotion. The shower had a universal shampoo dispenser and one small deodorant soap. There was no facial tissue and the room comes with one large bath towel and two hand towels (no washcloths).
It was perfect for what I needed and I’d highly recommend booking this “hotel” if you have a lengthy layover and don’t have enough time for a tour of Seoul. Had it not been 4:30 in the morning, I’m certain I would have taken one of the many stopover tours available to transit passengers.
The aircraft had just arrived as I took a seat next to the window and watched a huge amount of cargo being unloaded from the forward cargo bay. Passenger luggage was unloaded from the rear and from what I could see, only three containers were offloaded.
Economy passengers were lined up in their roped queue and an agent was going down the line checking boarding passes and passports. Shortly, an agent started doing the same in the Business Class line. Boarding began right at the designated time and I was scanned and wished a pleasant journey (their English was excellent).
A flight attendant greeted me at the door and pointed the way across the galley to the far aisle of the Airbus A330-300. I made my way to seat 2K and settled in.
My jacket was hung and in a few moments, flight attendants came through with a tray offering orange juice, water and champagne, followed by hot towel service and the distribution of eyeshades and earplugs. Slippers were already at the seat sticking out of the seat pocket. A Korean man had the aisle next to me, but the Business cabin was light, so he was able to move to have a row to himself.
Across the aisle from me was a very chatty American talking to a German next to him and I was thankful to have the two seats to myself. I’m not much of a socializer on airplanes and that guy was chewing the German’s ear off.
Boarding completed, we pushed back on-time and made our way to the runway. I noticed this on my other Asiana flights, but forgot to mention it in earlier reports, that the flight attendants carefully check each overhead bin to ensure they’re fully latched during taxi. Also, before the safety video airs, attendants are in each aisle at the front of the cabin and bow in unison – a nice touch.
After takeoff, menus were distributed and beverage & meal orders were taken a short time later.
I went with the Beef Provencale Stew served with sugar peas, carrots and mashed potatoes. To begin, though, was mixed greens with herb poached chicken and an apple salad.
All were delicious and my main course arrived. I chose garlic bread with my meal.
Unlike my ICN-HKG flight, this dish was fantastic and the flavors were wonderful. The peas might not look that great in the picture, but they weren’t overcooked and tasted good. Then it was on to a fruit & cheese plate.
The chatty and now drunk American across the aisle got the last “good looking” fruit & cheese plate, but mine was just fine. After a bit, Tiramisu was delivered along with coffee or tea.
I passed on the coffee since I knew I’d be heading to the transit hotel to get some sleep immediately upon landing. I freshened up in the lavatory and found the same amenities as my previous flight – toothbrush & paste packets, combs, lotion, facial spritz and eau de toilette.
Airbus has a more attractive lavatory (if a lav can be attractive) than Boeing, with better fixtures and lighting.
They dimmed the cabin and I watched some of the on-demand entertainment.
Even more entertaining and a bit sad was watching the now fully inebriated American across the aisle passing out. The German was probably thankful. He spilled a glass of port all over himself and the seat, struggled to change his shirt in the aisle, and flight attendants embarrassingly scurried away when he became bare chested for all passengers to witness. The cabin reeked of alcohol.
Star Alliance Golds can currently access any Star lounge with a valid boarding pass for that day on any Star carrier, along with sometimes needing to present your Gold card, which was necessary here. The gentleman ahead of me was a Star Gold with Lufthansa, but he didn’t have his card with him and was turned away. I asked if I could guest him in, but was told he’d have to be on the same flight as me, which he wasn’t.
I made my way back to the fairly sizable general seating area, but first passed one of the self-serve beverage and light snack stations. Every beverage imaginable was available along with a small area of nibbles. My memory fades me as to what they were (note to self: write this stuff down on the spot).
Several sub-sections of seats graced the area, each with a comfortable chair and side table in a softly lit setting with dark wood walls and other furnishings. My apologies for the quality of the following iPhone pic.
There was a section dedicated to First Class and Suites passengers, which was empty given there were no further Singapore Airlines departures for the evening.
Two long credenzas separated a couple of the seating areas and they were stocked with magazines and newspapers. Someone took care in artfully displaying the KrisWorld November movie selection brochures.
I grabbed a coffee and Perrier and sat down to plug in only realizing I left my adaptor at the hotel. I approached reception to ask for one and they happily provided it once I handed over my boarding pass as collateral. After a while I went to check out the main dining area.
Inside directly to the left were two long bar-style seating areas and an area of tables, as well as a row of them along the far wall. I didn’t snap a picture of those as other guests were present and I didn’t have a chance to get a couple of snaps discreetly. You can sort of see what I’m referring to in the picture above.
I made a small plate and went back to the general seating area to work on my computer a bit. I never really know if they frown on your taking a plate outside of the dining area or not, but I’m certain I’m not the only one to do so.
I refreshed my coffee and worked for a bit only to notice the lounge agents hovering about 10 minutes to 10:00pm. They were mainly cleaning up all the other areas from where passengers recently departed, but made several passes by where I was sitting. No problem, it was time anyway. I powered down, packed up my bag, received my boarding pass back from reception and made my way to the CNAC Lounge reviewed in 
The agent’s English was excellent, better than what I experienced at LAX, and I quickly had my boarding pass and lounge invitation in hand.
Security and exit immigration were quick and I first stopped in the SilverKris lounge since they close first at 10:00pm. I’m doing the lounge reviews out of order since I wanted to keep the Asiana experience unique and attached to my check-in with the airline. The CNAC and another Dragonair lounge are up an escalator across from gate 16.
A total of 16 airlines use this contracted lounge and it showed. When I entered, it felt sterile and far too bright for my taste. A ridiculous amount of cardboard cut outs of uniformed airline agents lined the left wall as I approached the check-in desk. It’s a spacious lounge with lots of different seating areas where I found worn and tired furnishings.
Near the entrance are a luggage storage area and a couple of rows of cubicle workstations. Newspaper and magazine selections were also nearby. The walkway to the right after you enter leads to a row of several non-enclosed, half-wall rooms with relaxation chairs. They looked comfy, but I didn’t try them out.
The central lounge area is outfitted with two long buffet tables with meager offerings, including soups, chicken sausages, Haggen Daaz ice cream, sandwich wedges, fruit & veggies, pastries and chilled noodle dishes. None of it looked too appealing and I had just eaten in the Singapore lounge, so passed on it all.
Cold beverages were available in mini-refrigerators underneath the buffet, as well as alcoholic options on top.
Now here’s something I thought was incredibly strange. There were absolutely no proper napkins anywhere. The only thing available was a tissue-type thing from a few dispensers located on top of the buffet. Very weird.
One great thing this lounge does have, similar to 
The men’s room was pretty gross and basically the equivalent of what I found downstairs in the main terminal, maybe even worse. Just outside the restrooms was a short hall containing four shower rooms. They were locked, so evidently you’d contact the front desk to arrange for a room.
While nicer than just sitting around the gate area, this lounge is nothing special. My next installment will show off a much better lounge option for Star Alliance Gold members flying Asiana.
Hurry I did. I was on the international arrivals level and the first transfer security I came across while running was closed. The next one still had their lights on, but was roped off not seemingly allowing entry. I looked inside and saw agents at the equipment, so ducked under the ropes and approached.
After takeoff, the video selections began and I was surprised to find out Asiana’s 777 fleet (at least this “short-haul” departure from Seoul) wasn’t on-demand. The movies just played from where they left off and I confirmed this with a flight attendant when she came by. Pretty inconvenient. Who wants to start a movie mid-way through?
Mealtime approached and the selections on the menu included Western options of either beef or prawns and a Korean option. I went with the Western beef this time and service began promptly. I placed the menu and wine list in the seat pocket ahead of me, but they “disappeared” later in the flight, so I don’t have them to post here. I think the FA saw them and grabbed ‘em sometime during the flight as I noticed she collected them from some passengers when taking their orders.
My main course arrived and it, shall I say, was the equivalent of what you’d get in First Class on any United Airlines flight domestically. Mass-produced food lacking in quality and those potatoes were dry and basically tasteless. I wasn’t impressed.
Fruit & cheese plates came next, but they had run out of fruit plates by the time they got to my row and I got “stuck” with a cheese plate. Asiana seems to always serve the left-aisle first before coming to the right-hand side, so word of advice there if you’re concerned about meal selections.
Then came delicious dessert time featuring Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Wonderful.
I passed out for a while tired from my whole day, but it was a pleasant flight. I have to say, there is a huge difference in the level of service foreign carriers provide to passengers, particularly Asian ones. Flight attendants are always smiling, they’re focused on ensuring you’re comfortable and have a genuine interest in their jobs. It’s so refreshing to fly outside the United States.
The seat itself was comfortable. It’s one of those angled lie-flat seats and I did take it all the way back for a rest. I found that after pressing the lie-flat button stops moving the seat automatically, you can also recline a bit further and raise the legrest another notch or two by using their individual buttons. Not bad, but a true lie-flat seat would be ideal.
We neared Hong Kong and I was very much looking forward to checking into my hotel and getting a proper shower. I missed that chance given my ICN layover was less than 15 minutes.
The visitor line at immigration was longer this time than last, but I eventually made my way through in about 20 minutes and was on my way to the attached 
