December 19
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Introduction & Itinerary
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Check-in & Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ 201 Los Angeles to Seoul-Incheon
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ 723 Seoul-Incheon to Hong Kong
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Check-in & CNAC Lounge Hong Kong
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge Hong Kong
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ 724 Hong Kong to Seoul-Incheon
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Seoul-Incheon Airport Transit Hotel
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: Asiana Business Class Lounge Seoul-Incheon
Asiana Airlines Trip Report: OZ202 Seoul-Incheon to Los Angeles
I left Asiana’s lounge about an hour and a half before boarding to check out the shops and ensure I’d see the inbound aircraft arrive. Incheon Airport is really quite beautiful – it’s absolutely spotless and architecturally pleasing to the eye. After Singapore’s Changi, Incheon is now my second favorite airport in Asia of those I’ve visited.
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 Amenity Kit Reviews.
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.
What I was amazed by was the amount of space between the window and seat. There was as much room here as what the upper deck normally affords – large enough for my bulky computer back during the flight to keep my underseat space free for full legrest recline.
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.
After takeoff, the wine list and menu were distributed with orders taken shortly afterwards.
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.
Breakfast time approached and I have to say, this is the most unique breakfast menu I’ve encountered so far flying.
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.
When disembarking I noticed only one passenger coming from First Class, making me cringe that they didn’t open up an award seat. Oh well, Business Class was very enjoyable and I look forward to flying Asiana again.
Here the video trip report related to this flight. I was able to get some incredible shots of Incheon Airport after takeoff and gorgeous views of Los Angeles on arrival.
The gate area was setup so First Class and Business Class – along with those with qualifying elite status – could board on the left where the jetway was attached to door one, while a long single aisle queue for economy stretched along to the right for access to the other jetway.
Shortly, boarding was called and I was quickly on my way down the jetway for the mandatory bag search. I always forget at non-U.S. airports that they don’t allow you to carry water bottles onboard even though they come from the secure airside. The agent’s English wasn’t too good and she simply said “no water” and removed my bottle. This was the most thorough search I’ve had and literally everything was rummaged through. It only took a couple of minutes and I was then on my way to board.
Within moments another flight attendant approached with a hot towel and asked for my pre-departure beverage choice. She returned with a Perrier with lemon and also brought Shanghai Tang pajamas. Shortly after, newspapers and menus were distributed. I changed into the pajamas and hung my shirt & jeans in my dedicated closet next to the large video monitor at my seat.
We were quickly ready for pushback and made our way to runway 25L. I don’t know why Cathay Pacific waits until after takeoff to distribute the amenity kits, but once we were airborne and above 18,000 feet, flight attendants supplied each passenger with a kit while taking their drink and lunch order.
Lunch service began almost immediately and in an attempt to avoid being disappointed with the quality of the meat from the Chinese Favorites selection I had on the outbound, I opted for the grilled U.S. Prime beef tenderloin. I did, however, ask for the starters from the Chinese options and had the pork soup with carrot and Buddhist palm melon, and a cold plate of pork shank terrine with black vinegar.
The usual caviar and Balik salmon started the multi-course meal and I once again had a nice personalized Bon Appetit card.
Then it was on to the soup and cold plate and both were absolutely delicious and satisfying.
Next up was the steak and I was very disappointed. It was incredibly dry, not very tender and no amount of salt made it any better. The veggies and garlic mashed potatoes were, however, delicious.
I went with the chocolate pudding with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis for dessert and was left wanting more. I’m sure I could have asked for another serving, but decided not to.
I freshened up in the lavatory and while not quite as spacious as the ones on their 747s, it was perfectly nice. No pictures to share, but I took video of it which is included below. Upon returning to my seat, I had another hot towel, pralines and a fresh glass of Perrier waiting for me. We were near Japan at that time and I paused the movie “Water For Elephants” and tucked myself in for a long nap.
Once again, I slept solidly for about 6 or 7 hours as Cathay’s seat turns into the most comfortable bed I’ve ever experienced on an airplane. Within moments of waking a flight attendant noticed me rustling about and asked if I needed anything. I requested a coffee and orange juice and when I returned from the lav it was waiting for me with a hot towel. I resumed watching my movie.
By now we were about two and a half hours from Los Angeles and I requested to have breakfast sooner rather than later. The first course consisted of fresh fruit, yoghurt and a selection of bread and muffins.
I opted for the egg dish that came with a small portion of corned beef hash and baked tomato. The eggs were fantastic and freshly pan-fried… boy what a difference from the rubbery pre-made egg stuff I’m used to when flying domestic First Class.
After breakfast I changed back into my street clothes and returned to my seat to savor the views as we approached southern California. This crew, as with the outbound, was outstanding and their English nearly perfect. I was disappointed with the entrée yet again, but the service more than made up for it. I definitely preferred the 747 First Class cabin as it felt more spacious and being in the nose on that airplane is just so cool.
When I reached the flight attendant standing at the aircraft door, she pleasantly welcomed me aboard and asked where I was sitting. I responded, “2A,” and she immediately replied, “Oh, Mr. Booth… welcome and please let me show you to your seat!” I’ve only had that happen one other time where they’ve studied the manifest ahead of time to know the names of First Class passengers as they board. It’s a quick few steps to seat 2A and she showed me my personal closet and asked me to please make myself comfortable while she went back to the door to greet additional passengers.
Within seconds a colleague of hers brought me Shanghai Tang pajamas and asked what I’d like to drink. She returned within moments with a Perrier with lemon and a hot towel. I took the opportunity to take a few videos of the cabin when two more passengers approached seats 1A & 1K. We chatted briefly and the flight attendant made her way back to greet the new arrivals noting it was just the three of us booked in First today. Those other passengers in the lounge, then, must have been Emerald status Oneworld elites, but flying in Business Class.
Newspapers were distributed and later a flight attendant came by with the drink list and menu.
Push back eventually came and the safety demo began on the 17” video screen next to my “pod.” I took quite a bit more video on taxi out and will get around to editing it into another video trip report after I finish each installment of the text version. After takeoff, I headed to the lavatory to change into my PJs and snapped a few pictures of the spacious setup, which included a large sink, full-size mirror, two windows and additional amenities.
After returning to my seat, a flight attendant came by with the men’s amenity kit and brought another Perrier and warm nuts.
I relaxed and went through the vast entertainment system that features more than 100 movies and 500 television programs with a fantastic selection of new releases & classic pictures. It was quickly time for lunch with caviar and smoked salmon to start. Also adorning the table set up was a Bon Appetite card with a personalized note.
I went for the Chinese selections wanting to be as authentic as possible and was served delicious double-pork soup with mountain yam and wolfberries along with marinated white and wood ear fungus with cucumber.
Then it was on to the main course and I went with the sautéed pork with sweet bean sauce served with steamed jasmine rice, stir-fried kailan, mushroom and carrots. Remember my teaser from the last part where I couldn’t believe what I experienced in First Class? Well, here it is… the pork was the chewiest most fat-riddled meat I’ve ever had. I’ve had MUCH better quality at Panda Express restaurants and was just amazed at how terrible it was. I didn’t say anything to the flight attendants knowing they can’t control catering, but was so surprised at the poor quality.
Cheese and dessert was next up and I passed on the cheese as I normally do. I went with the bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. My apologies as I totally forgot to snap a picture until I was nearly done.
After dinner I reclined back, watched some video programming and then asked for my bed to be made up, for which the flight attendants generally insist you ask of them. Another sampling of pralines and a bottled water was placed near my seat upon my return from the lavatory. Snacks were available mid-flight, but I slept soundly through them.
Fresh fruit started the dinner service and I once again forgot to snap a picture before eating the strawberries, melon, berries, pineapple and grapes. I (gasp) again went for the Chinese option assuming lunch would be a one-off mistake. I was proven sorely mistaken and again had incredibly inedible stir-fried garlic beef with vegetables and rice. Ugh, I noted to myself that I would not make the same mistake on the return flight.
Dessert was an almond pear tart with whipped cream. The portion was incredibly small, but it was delicious.
To complete service, another hot towel and sampling of pralines adorned my side table when I returned from the lavatory having changed out of my PJs back into street clothes.
Besides the main course for each meal, the flight was outstanding. Flight attendants were attentive, but not overly so, and their English was excellent. I’ll be reviewing the amenity kit separately in typical Frequently Flying fashion soon. We arrived on-time even with a departure nearly an hour late. I was one of the first off having been wished a pleasant stay by the inflight team and I made my way to immigration and customs. Up next will be the review of The Arrival lounge and I should have that ready in a few days.
I was dropped off to a nearly empty curbside, walked right up to the check-in desk to reprint my boarding pass, and was the only person passing through security at that moment. One of the TSA agents monitoring the exit from the airside concourse mentioned to a co-worker how horribly boring his day was and how he hated just sitting in front of a clock that made a noise every so often. Only two flights were leaving from the C-concourse at that time; a US Airways flight to Phoenix and mine. Horizon Air had decorated their gate area for the holidays, so I took a quick picture of that and went for a seat in my gate area.
When it was time to board, the gate agent offered the usual early boarding to Global Services and 1Ks (no first class, as this was a CRJ-200). When I approached, he asked for my last name as I was walking up to him, and once provided, grabbed one of two cards sitting on the counter and handed it to me saying, “Happy Holidays, Mr. Booth, and here is a small token of our appreciation for your business.” I sincerely thanked him while handing him one of the Ghirardelli chocolates I had brought to give to every employee I encountered on Christmas Day. The card came with a gingerbread cookie and read; “
I truly appreciate the little things, and sent a thank you email this morning to United’s Airport Operations Supervisor there in Reno, whose business card was attached inside the card. The flight was uneventful, had at least six or seven seats open, and service was great. I landed in Los Angeles to an also quiet Terminal 8, and made it home in near record time.
