Korean Air is one of the few airlines flying the 747-8, the last jumbo jet developed by Boeing. iStock
The loyalty program, SKYPASS, is free to join. Points can be earned on Korean Air flights, hotels, car rentals and linked credit cards. Korean Air is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. Members earn points when flying partner airlines, including Delta, KLM and Virgin Atlantic.
I arrive at Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu 90 minutes before scheduled take-off to find there’s nobody ahead of me in the check-in line. I’m thrilled to learn the flight isn’t busy and I’ve been assigned a row of three economy seats. There’s a long queue at the security checkpoint, but once I’m through to air-side, it’s a short walk to the gate.
Korean Air economy class cabin is spacious. Supplied
There are 314 Economy seats in 3-4-3 configuration. I’m in 30A, a window seat; 30B and 30C are unoccupied. Seat width is 17.2 inches (44cm) and pitch is 33-34 inches (84-86cm). I have enough room to work comfortably with my laptop on the tray table, even when the passenger in front reclines. The table can also be folded in half, creating a wider space.
There’s a USB port and power outlet. An amenity kit includes toothbrush and toothpaste, disposable slippers, 500ml water and headphones.
Two checked suitcases, up to 23 kilograms each. Cabin allowance includes a personal item and a carry-on bag, to a total maximum 10 kilograms.
The 28-centimetre seatback screen offers latest-release movies (lots of K-drama), TV series, music, kids’ content and flight info. I’m surprised there’s no Wi-Fi. Korean Air is in the process of rolling it out across the entire international fleet, which will take some time. An in-flight magazine, Morning Calm, has interesting stories about South Korean culture, design and destinations Korean Air flies to. A thick catalogue of in-flight shopping deals runs to 254 pages.
The flight attendants don’t have a hair out of place. Supplied
Impeccable. Ever-smiling and perfectly groomed, the all-female cabin crew doesn’t have a hair out of place (collectively) the entire flight. Dressed in elegant turquoise, beige and white uniforms, they exude poised professionalism.
As soon as the captain turns off the seatbelt sign, the crew comes through with lunch. The attendant recommends the Korean bibimbap bowl – ground beef, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, sprouts, cucumber, pickles – with instructions to mix in rice and gochujang paste, served separately. There’s a side of kimchi, fruit and a chocolate muffin. Four hours before landing, snacks (potato chips, brownies, bananas) are offered. Two hours later, there’s another meal service. I choose stir-fried beef with potatoes, served with prawn salad, fresh watermelon and a bread roll.
1.4 tonnes. Korean Air recently launched a program for air cargo customers to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with plans to establish SAF usage in the airline’s commercial passenger sector.
Korean Air is one of only three commercial airlines around the world flying the 747-8, the last jumbo jet variant developed by Boeing. It is the largest plane ever built by Boeing.
From about $820 on this route, economy class one way.*
I can’t remember the last time I wanted a flight in economy to last a bit longer. The only thing that could have improved it for me is inflight WiFi.
★★★★½
The writer travelled as a guest of Korean Tourism Organization Sydney. See
*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.
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