For the primary lengthy haul section of my fast journey to Japan & Korea, I flew Korean Air’s Boeing 787-10 enterprise class on the 11hr flight from Vancouver (YVR) to Seoul Incheon (ICN).
I used to be trying ahead to this flight, as I hadn’t flown Korean Air’s lengthy haul enterprise class in a few years. Not solely that, however I used to be flying on the service’s model new Boeing 787-10, that includes the corporate’s new enterprise class, marketed as Status Suite 2.0.
This was in the end a stable flight, with a pleasant and trendy seat, fairly tasty meals, and properly intentioned and pleasant service. Nevertheless, I don’t suppose Korean Air is sort of within the prime tier in Asia, and I wouldn’t rank this among the many world’s finest enterprise class merchandise. Nonetheless, if the schedule and value is true, I wouldn’t hesitate to e-book this — it’s an excellent expertise, simply not superb.
How I booked my Korean Air enterprise class ticket
I booked my Korean Air enterprise class ticket utilizing Korean Air SkyPass miles. Lengthy story quick, Korean Air SkyPass was a Chase Final Rewards switch accomplice again within the day, so on the time, I transfered fairly just a few miles. Nevertheless, they’ve turn out to be a lot much less beneficial over time, on condition that Korean Air not makes firstclass award seats accessible (which was my essential intend with buying them).
Nevertheless, I figured this journey was an excellent alternative to redeem a few of these miles, particularly on condition that SkyPass has entry to extra Korean Air enterprise class award seats than accomplice applications.
I booked the next in enterprise class for 62,500 Korean Air SkyPass miles plus $308.10 in taxes & charges:
10/06 KE72 Vancouver to Seoul Incheon departing 2:30PM arriving 5:50PM (+1 day)
10/08 KE769 Seoul Incheon to Sapporo departing 12:35PM arriving 3:20PM
Within the subsequent installment, I’ll be reviewing Korean Air’s A321neo enterprise class, which I skilled on the connecting flight.
Korean Air enterprise class lounge & boarding
I had spent the evening previous to my flight on the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. Then within the morning I visited the SkyTeam Lounge Vancouver Airport, which is the place Korean Air sends its premium passengers.
My flight was departing from gate 71, with boarding scheduled for 1:50PM, 40 minutes forward of the deliberate departure time.
On the gate I couldn’t assist however admire the model new Boeing 787-10, which entered service inside the previous few months. I’m conflicted about Korean Air’s livery — I don’t discover it to be notably enticing, although it positive is distinctive, and there’s one thing I actually like about it.
Boarding ended up beginning at 2PM, with enterprise class passengers being invited to board first.
Korean Air 787 enterprise class cabin & seats
I boarded the Korean Air Boeing 787-10 by means of the second set of doorways, the place I used to be pointed left into the enterprise class cabin. The very first thing that stood out to me is how Korean Air has clearly been present process a rebranding. The interiors of latest Korean Air jets not appear to be the (very blue) exteriors, and I’d think about that to be an excellent factor.
Korean Air’s enterprise class cabin on the 787-10 consists of 36 seats, unfold throughout 9 rows. Seats are in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, which means the situation of seats varies with every row. Korean Air chosen the Collins Aerospace Horizon seat as its new Status enterprise class seat. Seats have 46″ of pitch (because of the footwell being to the facet of the seat in entrance), plus 21″ of width.
Aeroflot was the launch buyer for this product. Nevertheless, as a result of commerce embargoes, these planes now fly for Turkish Airways and Air India as properly. So Korean Air is simply the second airline to purpose-order this product, and it’s the primary airline to put in this on a Boeing jet.
These touring with a companion may just like the pair of “honeymoon seats” within the heart part in each different row, which have the letters “E” and “F.” With these seats, you’re very near a companion, so you may benefit from the flight collectively. For those who’re touring alone, these seats aren’t unhealthy both, as there’s a partition that may be raised to supply privateness between the seats.
Then each different row of the middle part has seats which might be additional other than each other, and nearer to the aisle, with letters “D” and “G.” These could be my final decide seats on this configuration, since they’re not superb if touring collectively or alone.
Then alongside the home windows, seats additionally alternate between being nearer to the home windows and being nearer to the aisle.
The seats which might be nearer to the aisle have the letters “B” and “H.” If touring alone, I’d desire these to the middle seats, however they’re nonetheless not my first decide, because it’s laborious to look out the window, and also you’re additionally nearer to the aisle and door.
My prime decide on this configuration could be the seats which might be closest to the home windows, which have the letters “A” and “J.” I chosen seat 15A, the “true” window seat on the left facet within the second to final row.
When it comes to laborious product, I’m a fan of Korean Air’s new Status Suite, because the seats are functionally designed, and I additionally fairly just like the finishes. As you may see, there’s an enormous console space to the facet of the seat subsequent to the door and aisle.
This contains an enclosed storage compartment with a mirror, an leisure controller, and a panel with seat controls.
Beneath the seat controls are a cupholder and one other small, uncovered storage space.
There’s additionally a powerful array of charging choices, together with wi-fi charging, two USB-C charging shops (one is 45W, whereas the opposite is 60W), and an AC energy outlet.
Every seat has a 24″ 4K excessive definition TV, which may be very prime quality, although the display additionally has fairly a little bit of glare.
The tray desk folds out from beneath the leisure monitor, and the setup is a bit completely different than you’ll discover with most different seats. The tray desk is actually saved at an angle, and may then be slid out, to be prolonged the complete size.
One level of frustration I had with this product is that Korean Air doesn’t have particular person air nozzles on most of its large physique jets, together with the 787-10s. For the reason that airline tends to maintain cabins heat, that’s one thing to concentrate on for those who’re temperature delicate.
Right here’s one other quirk — whereas Korean Air’s 787-10 enterprise class suites have doorways (that are alleged to be 52″ excessive), they’re not truly allowed for use but. I suppose they haven’t been licensed but by regulators in Korea, so for now the airline isn’t truly providing enterprise class suites (at the least primarily based on how I’d outline them).
Anyway, all-in-all I used to be impressed by the laborious product, and by Korean Air’s common rebranding. Nevertheless, the shortage of air nozzles was lower than superb, and I discovered it unusual how doorways couldn’t be used.
Korean Air enterprise class facilities
What had been the facilities like in Korean Air enterprise class? When it comes to bedding, the airline has a fairly substantial pillow, plus a thick, virtually wool-like blanket. That is fairly underwhelming for an extended haul flight — there have been no mattress pads, and I felt just like the blanket was form of scratchy and overly heat, which isn’t nice when there are already no particular person air nozzles.
There have been additionally a pair of noise canceling headphones at every seat, which had been respectable high quality. Nevertheless, because of the existence of bluetooth audio with the leisure, these weren’t even wanted.
There have been additionally some flimsy slippers, superb for visiting the rest room with out placing on sneakers, however hardly ones that you simply’ll wish to take house as a reminiscence of your flight.
Then there was additionally an amenity package, which I assumed was on the fundamental facet. It had eyeshades, a dental package, a shoe horn, a brush, and a few merchandise from Atelier Cologne (hand cream, physique lotion, and lip balm). The package itself didn’t precisely have an inspiring design both.
Towards the tip of the boarding course of, pre-departure drinks had been served, with the selection of orange juice, guava juice, or water (the airline doesn’t serve alcohol pre-departure). I chosen the guava juice, and that was served with a bundle of snack combine.
Menus for the flight had been additionally distributed, with all orders nonetheless being taken on the bottom (together with for the primary and second meals).
Whereas Korean Air’s new enterprise class laborious product is sort of good, I’d say there’s nonetheless some room for enchancment with the mushy product.
Korean Air 787 enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi
Korean Air’s 787-10 enterprise class has 24″ excessive definition, touchscreen screens, in order that’s nice.
The airline additionally provides bluetooth audio, so you may pair your individual headphones to the leisure system (a pattern I’m completely happy to more and more see).
The leisure choice itself was significantly better than I recall on previous Korean Air flights, so clearly the library has been expanded considerably. There was a fairly respectable choice of motion pictures, TV exhibits, youngsters programming, and music, although it’s nonetheless a far cry from the airways with the perfect leisure.
I ended up watching some episodes of “Wonderful Motels: Life Past The Foyer,” which I all the time take pleasure in. Specifically, I used to be fascinated by Nusfjord Arctic Resort, and have added that to my bucket checklist.
One other thrilling improvement with the 787-10 is that Korean Air provides Wi-Fi, because it’s an space the place the airline traditionally hasn’t invested. On this flight, there have been three packages accessible:
- You may buy a limiteless messaging go for $5.95
- You may buy a two-hour web go for $10.95
- You may buy a full-flight go for $20.95
No matter which plan you picked, you would change between gadgets, and there have been no knowledge caps.
Korean Air provides Viasat Wi-Fi on its 787-10s. Ordinarily that’s among the many finest inflight Wi-Fi suppliers you’ll discover. The catch is that Viasat doesn’t but have Ku-band Wi-Fi over the Pacific, so speeds had been excruciatingly sluggish, to the purpose that I feel it’s fairly deceptive for the airline to market this as Wi-Fi that’s quick sufficient for watching movies, when that’s positively not the case. That ought to change ultimately, however in the meanwhile, count on sluggish Wi-Fi.
Korean Air 787 departure from Vancouver
The boarding course of was fairly environment friendly. Enterprise class was round 75% full, whereas economic system was close to capability. Boarding wrapped up by 2:30PM, at which level the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our flight time and anticipated easy trip.
At 2:35PM we started our pushback, at which level Korean Air’s (unusual) security video with “digital people” was screened.
At 2:40PM we began our taxi to runway 26L, and I loved the views, because it was a beautiful afternoon in Vancouver.
We handed a Lufthansa Boeing 747-400… swoon! We gained’t see these flying for that for much longer, so that you’ve gotta admire these sorts of sights whereas we nonetheless have them.
We made it to the departure runway at 2:55PM, and had been instantly cleared for takeoff. We had a easy and gradual climb out.
The views departing Vancouver positive are fairly!
About 10 minutes after takeoff, the captain turned off the seatbelt signal, at which level the crew closed curtains between cabins, and started the inflight service.
Korean Air enterprise class lunch
On this Korean Air flight, lunch was served after takeoff. You could find the menu and drink checklist beneath.
Round 35 minutes after takeoff, the crew distributed tablecloths, after which round 10 minutes later, they served drinks. I ordered a glass of champagne and glowing water. Korean Air serves Duval Leroy Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru, which is fairly respectable — nonetheless, the pour positively left one thing to be desired.
The drinks had been served with a canapé comprised of cream cheese rolled with roasted zucchini and eggplant.
Round 60 minutes after takeoff, the starter was served. There’s no selection of appetizers, so I used to be supplied the seared tuna with sesame dressing, which was fairly good.
Whereas there’s a bread choice and a soup course, that’s solely supplied if you choose the Western essential, whereas I made a decision to go along with the Korean possibility, which was served round 80 minutes after takeoff.
The Korean possibility on Korean Air is principally all the time the identical — bibimbap with minced beef and seasonal greens, accompanied by sesame oil and scorching pepper paste.
I do all the time take pleasure in this, although within the years I’ve been flying Korean Air, I don’t suppose a single factor has modified about this, so it positive could be good if there have been a bit extra number of Korean choices.
As soon as essential programs had been cleared, a dessert trolley was rolled by means of the cabin, and I used to be supplied each fruit and cheese. I appreciated that the cheese choice was a bit increased high quality than you usually discover on airways.
Lastly, I used to be supplied ice cream, with the one selection being a vanilla taste from Mario’s Gelati. I additionally had a tea to associate with this.
I assumed the meal was fairly good, although it wasn’t something superb. Like I mentioned, I take pleasure in Korean Air’s bibimbap, however nothing in regards to the dish has modified over the previous decade, so it will be good to have a bit extra selection, as there’s Korean delicacies past that.
Korean Air 787 enterprise class bathrooms
After the meal, I made a decision to take a look at the onboard bathrooms. Enterprise class passengers have entry to 3 bathrooms — there’s one in entrance of the cabin within the heart, and one behind the cabin on either side. There’s an extra toilet proper by the cockpit, however that appears to be reserved for the crew, since a curtain is pulled in entrance of it.
The ahead toilet that passengers have entry to is big, in order that’s most likely the nicest one to go to (it jogged my memory of the one in Etihad’s 787 firstclass).
The bathroom even has just a little seat that folds down that’s subsequent to the bathroom, in order that’s how spacious it’s.
The ahead toilet additionally contained some further facilities, like mouthwash and shaving kits.
Then the 2 bathrooms behind the cabin have an analogous design, besides they’re smaller, extra according to what you’d count on.
All of the bathrooms had been saved clear all through the flight, which is such a significant benefit of flying with an Asian service over a US service.
Korean Air 787 enterprise class mattress
After lunch I made a decision to attempt to get some relaxation, on condition that it was principally my bedtime again house. I reclined my seat into mattress mode, because the seat converts right into a 78″ mattress.
There have been issues I actually appreciated in regards to the mattress, and issues that didn’t impress as a lot. On the plus facet, the footwell is an effective measurement, so I didn’t discover that to be restrictive. Nevertheless, in mattress mode I did discover the seat to be fairly slim, particularly for the reason that aisle-side armrest can’t be moved round, to create a wider sleeping floor.
My largest problem with making an attempt to get some relaxation was that the cabin was fairly heat, and with out a person air nozzle, I had little management over how heat I felt. One other factor that didn’t assistance on that entrance is that I used to be seated on the identical facet of the airplane because the solar.
The 787 Dreamliner has dimmable home windows, and even when absolutely dimmed, I don’t discover them to do a terrific job blocking out mild. For instance, beneath is what it appeared like by means of my window when the shade was alleged to be made as darkish as attainable.
By my requirements, I truly received an honest quantity of relaxation. I fell asleep just a little underneath 8hr30min from Seoul Incheon, whereas over Alaska…
…and I ended up getting up round 5 hours later, a bit over three hours earlier than arrival, whereas approaching Japan.
I didn’t essentially get the perfect sleep for these 5 hours, as there was numerous tossing and turning and a little bit of being awake, however at the least I received some relaxation.
Korean Air enterprise class snack & dinner
Upon waking up, I had a take a look at the refreshment menu.
I knew that I wished to order a cup of espresso, although from trying on the refreshment menu, I recalled having some actually scrumptious cookies on Korean Air flights a few years in the past. I’m not normally somebody who orders cookies (as a lot as I’d wish to be!), however I couldn’t assist however see in the event that they had been nearly as good as I keep in mind. Effectively, I can certainly affirm that they’re nonetheless scrumptious!
Shortly thereafter, round 2hr30min from our arrival in Seoul Incheon, the cabin lights had been turned on in preparation for the pre-landing meal. You could find the pre-landing menu beneath.
This time I blended issues up, and had the Western possibility. No matter which possibility individuals selected, the one appetizer selection was a salad with sliced apples, blue cheese, and pecans. There was additionally a facet of bread, and I had a Coke Zero to drink.
For the primary course, I attempted to order the seafood dish, however they’d run out. So I as an alternative ordered the meat stew with creamy polenta and greens, which was advantageous. It was edible, however wasn’t something nice or memorable.
The meal completed off with some fruit, and I had one other cup of espresso to drink.
Korean Air enterprise class service
The crew working enterprise class on this Korean Air flight was pleasant and properly intentioned, so I can’t say something unfavorable in regards to the particular person crew.
Nevertheless, I really feel like Korean Air’s service protocol simply feels so meeting line-esque and reactive, and it detracts from the expertise. Principally, the crew has a selected job each time they stroll by means of the cabin, and if what you need doesn’t match up with that, then you definately’ll need to particularly ask.
On most world class airways, if a flight attendant sees an empty glass in enterprise class, they’ll ask a passenger if they need one thing else to drink. Within the case of Korean Air, they simply ignore it — they don’t supply a refill with out the passenger explicitly asking, they usually’ll simply take away the glass as soon as they’re within the a part of the service stream the place they’re eradicating glasses.
This actually is such a distinction to so many different airways within the area, as Asia is understood for superb inflight service.
Korean Air 787 arrival in Seoul Incheon
At 5:10PM native time, the captain was again on the PA to announce that we’d be touchdown in round 40 minutes, placing us in not on time as a result of just a little longer than ordinary flight time.
As we started our descent, the crew distributed touchdown playing cards for Korea, and began making ready the cabin for arrival. The seatbelt signal was turned on at 5:40PM, round quarter-hour earlier than touchdown.
We ended up touchdown at 5:55PM.
From there we had a roughly 10-minute taxi to our arrival gate at Terminal 2, the place we pulled in at round 6:05PM, parking subsequent to a Korean Air Boeing 787-9.
Upon exiting the airplane I needed to wait practically an hour to get by means of immigration, after which headed to the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport, the place I’d be spending the evening.
Backside line
Korean Air’s new Boeing 787-10 enterprise class is nice, however not superb. The airline has a stable laborious product, and there are tons of enhancements over Korean Air’s different jets, from the existence of Wi-Fi, to the improved leisure.
Nevertheless, for those who ask me, the mushy product is just a bit wanting what you’ll discover on different prime carriers, from the meals, to the drinks, to the service, to the facilities. The shortage of particular person air nozzles additionally isn’t superb, at the least for these of us who simply get heat.
So I wouldn’t suggest looking for out Korean Air’s 787 enterprise class, but when it’s the best choice for a flight, I additionally wouldn’t hesitate to fly it.
What do you make of Korean Air’s Boeing 787-10 enterprise class?
Supply hyperlink
