Luxurious Journey: Korean Air First Class
In the latest leg of my Aria Suite Adventure to Hong Kong, I had the audacity to hop onto Korean Air’s Airbus A380 first class for a 12hr55min joyride from Seoul Incheon to New York. One would think that being whisked away in a first-class cloud for nearly 13 hours would be the crowning jewel of my trip. But alas, it was not meant to be.
Compared to the international first-class elite, Korean Air barely scratches the surface of luxury, especially in their Airbus A380s. Sure, it’s always nice when you’re not crammed in coach, but Korean Air’s offering, sadly, sits at the bottom of the list in the glamour stakes.
There’s a sense that the airline has waved the white flag on its A380s. The seats offer about as much privacy as a bus stop bench, the cabin décor screams 1998, the movie options are thin, there’s no Wi-Fi lifeline, and the rest of the experience is, well, uninspired. But hey, there’s a beacon on the horizon! Korean Air is planning a first-class revamp by 2028. Yes, 2028! Progress, right?
How I Booked My Korean Air First Class Ticket
So, about that hot ticket. I used good old Korean Air SkyPass miles. 80,000 miles plus $137.05 in taxes did the trick for:
Flight: Seoul Incheon to New York, departing 7:30PM and arriving the same time. Quantum physics, eat your heart out.
To the mileage hunters out there: I racked up Korean Air SkyPass miles back in the golden days when the program was married to Chase Ultimate Rewards. When the clock struck midnight on that partnership, I chucked a pile of points their way because the allure of “transfer while you can” was just too strong.
Korean Air has tangoed with pulling and reinstating first-class awards. I played the long game and finally cashed in. Do I regret the wait? Far from it.
Korean Air First Class Lounge & Boarding
Let’s rewind to pre-flight shenanigans at the Korean Air First Lounge in Incheon. Fancy? Not so much. The lounge mirrors the onboard experience, fortunately, with some minor improvements teased. My flight out of gate 232 kicked off with a scheduled boarding at 6:55PM.
Arriving early, I was blessed with a sunset view of the colossal A380. A metallic whale if there ever was one. Boarding was a breeze with the usual “time to spare” boarders ambling first, right ahead of us few blessed with first-class tickets.
Korean Air A380 First Class Cabin & Seats
Rolling through the front-left door, I was guided to my seat by the smiling crew. Unlikely most airlines, Korean Air has first class on the lower deck with 12 seats distributed in a 1-2-1 formation across three rows.
These aren’t your tiny privacy cocoons. The newly dubbed “Kosmo Suites” are about as private as a fishbowl. Spacious? Yes. Secretive? No. The seats have a mysterious color scheme shift, trading in the iconic blue upholstery for a more somber tone while still clinging to hints of blue on the seat sides.
My nest for this flight? Seat 3A, a window perch on the port side of the final row. One might sing praises about first-class doors… until they realize this setup offers nothing resembling privacy.
The 23-inch screens provide basic entertainment, worthy of yesteryear. Plus, no buddy seat ottoman or inflight Wi-Fi for distraction.
Korean Air First Class Amenities
Swinging onto each seat was a pillow and blanket combo, with the pillow holding its ground, while the blanket screamed out for some TLC. The full bedding experience would require turndown service.
Bowers & Wilkins headphones dabbled in irony by shouting “ready to pair,” oblivious to the lack of Bluetooth in the cabin.
The amenity kit was housed in a peculiarly childlike pouch, with skin care of the “less impressive” sort. Pajamas that double as a cozy sauna, slippers, and even a shoe bag rounded out the creature comforts.
Korean Air A380 First Class Entertainment
Entertainment, if we can call it that, came via a 23″ non-touchscreen that’s light years from today’s standards. The controller required a level of patience I rarely possess.
The library was limited, so pack your own amusements unless you’re enticed by the map feature—arguably its best offering. No Wi-Fi seals the deal.
Korean Air First Class Dinner Service
Post-takeoff, the crew swung into action with warm towels served on formal little plates.
Opting for the western menu, I commenced with seared scallop canapés. A glass of champagne played sidekick. Later, the caviar took the stage—20g of Italian osetra, no less.
The menu marched us through chestnut soup, a palate-cleansing sorbet, and a hearty grilled steak.
Ending the meal, the choices revolved around fruit, cheese, or dessert, and I swung for the cheese and fruit pairing. While ample, the experience was more conveyor belt than culinary spectacle.
Korean Air First Class Service
Service on Korean Air is culturally unique, to say the least. Here, attentive service is defined as reactive, non-intrusive, evoking the norm in Korean settings. But internationally, it felt lacking in warmth and invitation.
Korean Air seems aware of the need for cultural and service evolution, poised to transform into a globally appealing brand.
Bottom Line
Korean Air’s A380 first class journey is wrapped in comfort but marked by outdated hard products and a by-the-numbers soft offering. The airlines seem ready to embrace the international stage, but only time will tell what’s next.
So, what’s your take on Korean Air’s A380 first class?