KOREAN AIR review :  29 June 2009 : by Peter Schweizer (Australia)

BNE-ICN-GMP-CJU return in Prestige Class. Sorry to say but after being a loyal supporter of KE over the past years I will no longer pay for their inferior business class product. The old style business class seats on the A333 are simply not suitable for the long flights from BNE to ICN and return. To make things worse. the A333 operating the day flight KE 124 did not even have personal TV's in each seat but there were only 3 monitors in the front of the cabin showing some sort of TV program. Would accept such cabin layout for a short trip no longer than 2 hours at maximum but we are talking about 10 hours long flights in each direction. No amenity kits provided except slippers already in seat pocket. Like the Bibimbap served but would also like to have a choice of a decent western meal. On the return flight western meal was not available as the other 3 western passengers in Prestige Class had opted for the western meal so I had no choice but to go for the Bibimbap again. Transfer from ICN to GMP not included in air fare which is odd considering the fairly high business class fare we paid. The price difference between KE's Prestige Class and other superior airlines business class has decreased drastically so I am more than happy to pay about A$ 600.00 more and get a full flat bed on SQ flying BNE-SIN-FRA. Still rate trip a 5 due to the excellent staff in the air and on the ground.

KOREAN AIR review :  25 June 2009 : by Arthur Cooper (USA)

I recently flew Korean Air Flight KE 001 from Seoul to Los Angeles via Tokyo. This flight was flawed from the beginning. When I boarded this flight in Seoul, I noticed we were using a B777-200 instead of a B747 with the proper Business Class seats. This aircraft is inadequate to go any distances over two hours or more. The seats are terrible. They do not lie flat, and it is impossible to sleep on these seats. When we arrived in Tokyo, I asked if this was the same plane we were going to Los Angeles in. When they told me it was, I requested to pay for an upgrade to First Class. I was told several times by Korean Air personnel in Tokyo that I could not be upgraded to First Class because it was "Too Late to Order a First Class Meal". I told them I didn't give a damn about the meal, and I simply wanted the better seat so I could get some sleep. They refused to let me pay to upgrade. So, once again, I had to sit in that terrible seat for nearly 10 hours. The audio system failed, the video system failed, the overhead lights failed, and the attendant call button failed. In fact, the entire console in every seat in business class would not function. I moved 4 or 5 times to a different seat, but they were all malfunctioning. The flight attendants would try to reset the equipment, but it would simply fail after an hour or so. They tried their best, but it is unfair for them to have to try and provide Business Class Service in an aircraft that is inferior And unable to provide a proper business class I even asked the flight attendants if they could have moved us to First Class, and they said no it is against Korean Air Policy. Well, that's pretty silly when there was only one man sitting in First Class and only 6 people in the horrible Business Class area of that plane. I even tried to lie on the floor to get some sleep, and they told me I couldn't do that. For 10 minutes, I think I actually had some peace and rest lying there, but they stopped that for me as well. I fly all over the world, and I spend nearly every week of my life flying somewhere, either in the USA or overseas. This was one of the absolute, worst experiences on any flight anywhere that I have ever had. For the amount of money I spent on this ticket, I should have received BUSINESS CLASS service. I did not, and for that, I will think very, very carefully before I fly with Korean Air ever again. This was certainly not "Excellence in Flight".

KOREAN AIR review :  9 June 2009 : by Didier Vanden Abeele (Belgium)

SYD-ICN in economy A330-300. I had expected better from this airline. As elite plus member, access to the Sydney lounge (Air New Zealand lounge is fantastic). Asked for exit row seat which they gave - however no upgrade although business class was almost empty. You would expect that for Skyteam elite plus members they go the extra mile but no way. Food onboard was mediocre and no individual IFE! In the event of a 11s hrs flight, this makes it a really lengthy and boring flight. Flight attendants were OK. Ugly uniforms though.

KOREAN AIR review :  12 May 2009 : by John Douglas (USA)

Dallas (DFW) to Seoul (ICN) and return economy. Warning: make certain of your seat assignment. Korean is now flying the 777-200/ER which is the same as the 777-200 Ver 2 (772) on this route. The seat configuration is 2-5-2. Passengers in the middle seat of the 5, in a row seats, felt like they were trapped for 14 hours. One person said, “I felt like I was being tortured.” There was no AVOD entertainment system at any seat. The KAL Lounge in Seoul refused to honor my KAL Lounge Pass which was issued in Dallas. Cabin service excellent. The food was fair. Eva Air or Asiana Airlines are better value.

KOREAN AIR review :  15 April 2009 : by H Wright (UK)

London - Seoul - Auckland. London to Seoul, the aircraft was one of their newer (Boeing 747-400) with entertainment provided and comfortable seats (11+ hours). Seoul to Auckland, the aircraft was old (777-200) with no entertainment (roof monitor with sports showing), seats were uncomfortable, generally an unpleasant experience (11+ hours). For a flight of this length you would expect they could offer a better service. The food is mediocre and stingy; stewardesses were polite. Their flights are not so competitively priced that you accept a budget airline service. I chose Korean over a few other airlines simply because of the dates I was flying, not cost. I wouldn't use Korean Air again; I've flown Qantas, Air New Zealand and BA and all have been a much more pleasant experience.

KOREAN AIR review :  8 April 2009 : by A Lee (South Korea)

Seoul to Paris. They emphasize Excellence in Flight, but there was nothing special about their in flight service. The lounge is poorly serviced. The food is very mediocre and in Seoul, the Skypass Lounge is better than Korean Air. Asiana Airlines lounges is the best. Onboard food is very bad. I noticed several foreigners were not able to get their choice of meals and had to opt for the Korean Bibimrice. On long flight, they are supposed to go through the cabin with refreshments but Korean Air only offers some water, juice and a one time round of shortlist of snacks. They appeared very stingy with the food. The seats are good, and have a better lean back recline than other airlines. That's probably the best. But the variation of their seats makes it hard to predict when you will get a good seat. Also, for flights shorter than 7 hours, you will not be getting a cosmos seat. On these flights in economy, there's lack of entertainment options. Korean put their money on all the wrong things - like uniforms and poor advertising. There's so much emphasis on their fashion and uniforms, but I don't think the management knows marketing very well.

KOREAN AIR review :  26 March 2009 : by Joseph Shott (USA)

IAD-ICN-PNH return Economy. Comfortable, modern spacious interior; friendly, multilingual crew; excellent food with good drink and dessert selection. Poor points - even through KE was a founding partner of SkyTeam alliance, they do not honor some of the benefits which other members do (ie no upgrades - even though I had a premium seat (but not Y-class), Elite Platinum status, and 200,000 miles in the bank). This makes a 24 hour flight seem much longer when in an economy seat. Lounge access is granted but the lounges are crowded at ICN with limited seating even at 630am. Last poor note, KE does not award ANY miles between the U.S. and Korea unless in Y-class or business! Lots of miles down the drain. Next time will probably spent the extra $500 to fly NWA all the way!

KOREAN AIR review :  11 March 2009 : by V Wang (China)

PVG-ICN-PVG. Great staff, friendly and helpful. The only thing I do not like is the food. There is no other option but Korean spicy food. Please have more options!

KOREAN AIR review :  3 March 2009 : by Phillip Brander (Australia)

Sydney-Seoul-Seattle / San Francisco-Seoul-Brisbane business class. The real disappointment was Seoul - Brisbane on the old A330 with very basic seating in business. All other flights featured angled lie-flat seats and AVOD but not the A330? A 9 hour flight surely deserves a decent seat? Cabin crew were friendly, but often robotic. On a couple of the flights there were some great Indonesian / Chinese flight attendants who stood out from the rest in terms of being a little more dynamic and interactive. Food of a good standard, but KE really lacks any variety in its choices - food selections very rarely change, especially breakfast which has always been the same options for as long as I can remember.

KOREAN AIR review :  27 February 2009 : by J Kim

SYD-ICN-SYD. Good lounge service but inflight meal was disappointing - food dry and not fresh. Cabin crew not friendly as previous experience with Korean Air. AVOD system was good but loading speed became slow as flight goes. Passenger announcement was poor as they provide Korean, English, Chinese and Malay. English announcement was not clear and takes too long to finish one announcement. Overall, airport ground service is better but inflight experience and inflight meal service is worse than last year.

KOREAN AIR review :  16 February 2009 : by Brian Finnelly

SFO-Seoul Economy on Boeing 777-200. Service excellent as well as the food. AVOD very good. Stewardesses were flawless.

KOREAN AIR review :  5 February 2009 : by Alistair Peckham

CDG-ICN Y class. Great staff on full flight, and went the extra mile for everythin. Catering dismal especially the western option - wine was good but only served in glass and topped up once. Doesn't come near to their partners AF two bottle servings! Korean food better but has gone down in quantity. IFE good.

KOREAN AIR review :  24 January 2009 : by J Min

ICN-HAN roundtrip in Y on A330-300. Comfortable seat, decent legroom and recline. No AVOD but IFE on main screen. Food very good but service was a little slow. Cabin crew polite and courteous yet lacked warmth and enthusiasm. A 4-star airline.

KOREAN AIR review :  21 January 2009 : by D Jarrett

LHR-ICN-BNE return Business. All flights on time and good standard of service throughout but found flight attendants a bit robotic and inflexible. Hotel overnight on return leg was very comfortable but why are there no instructions for passengers about how to find hotel desk at ICN at check-in or from flight attendants. A simple printed sheet of directions is all that is needed. Good alternative to Singapore route when flying to Australia.

KOREAN AIR review :  19 January 2009 : by Rick Levin

I often fly Korean Air internationally from USA to China. The ticketing, gate and onboard crew always very nice and accommodating. Like most international flights you need to get your seats confirmed ahead of time, and most discount ticket sellers don't do this for you. You can also put in meal requests. I have found the on board service and food to be great.

KOREAN AIR review :  9 January 2009 : by Geoffrey Roberts

Tokyo-Seoul-London economy. Great service on both legs - inseat entertainment well up to standard although I'm not an avid user. I like the way the cabin staff are around with drinks, noodles and snacks. I can't sleep on flights so I find this type of service excellent.

KOREAN AIR review :  6 January 2009 : by Grisha Cleaver

Auckland-Seoul-Moscow. Comfortable seats, clean toilets and food very good. As this was a long flight to Seoul and onto Moscow (in total about 26 hours we had to go through a lot during the flight). Good entertainment. Airport at Seoul was excellent. Second flight was the same story. On an Airbus so there was more space when it came to seats. I wasn't very impressed though when the crew did nothing about a passenger on his mobile phone. However a good experience and will choose this airline again.