Korean Air

NRT-HNL-NRT in business class. The problem with this flight is the age of the plane. It's a 747-400 and hasn't been renovated to their newest seats. The result is a very uncomfortable ride. Even in upright position it's shallow and hard. Recline mode is only a varying degree of slide. It's a shame because their new flat seats are not bad! The service and food were wonderful. Flying over I wanted to sleep and I requested not to eat the first meal. The FA suggested she save my meal for my arrival meal as it was the larger of the two. A brilliant idea and very thoughtful! On the return the menu consisted of beef pork and beef choices. I don't eat meat and the FA made me a vegetarian bibimbap which was delicious! The entertainment is limited and also not their best offering due to the old aircraft. I like Korean Airlines and would certainly fly them again on this route if the aircraft is updated.

SGN-IAD June 2013: A very pleasant flight on all four legs. Clean shiny A330 on SGN-ICN legs. Equally sparkling 777-200ER ICN-IAD and back. Terrific crew on the ground and in the air good food and a very nice red Cotes du Rhone in the air. ICN remains a delightful airport. There are less expensive ways to make this trip but none more pleasurable.

Feb 11 2014 Flight KE705 Incheon to Narita. Good flight but horrible ground staff. Very unprofessional. Would not help 28 passengers with any information. KAL should re-educate such staff or it will damage their reputation.

Auckland to LHR via Incheon during Christmas time. 747 400 between AKL to ICN 777-300 between Incheon and LHR. I am 6f1 tall Leg room and recline was above average. All 4 legs were very comfortable. Food was good and staff member worked very hard. Attentive polite and smile all the time. Will definitely fly with them again.

Auckland to London return with a side trip to Japan. Flights between Auckland and Seoul were on older 747s but there is more legroom than other airlines. Entertainment was average and quite limited and generally worked well. Overnight accommodation on the way to the UK via Seoul was a bonus. Transport and organisation for this was very easy and efficient both at the airport and the hotel. Flights to and from Japan were on new 777 and 737. Meals were superb and the kids pack on this leg was much better than on others. Flights between Seoul and UK were good to - this time on newer 777. The Korean food on the long haul legs was excellent. Western meals and wine choices weren't so good. The service was excellent - very friendly and helpful and plenty of water and soft drinks supplied. Kids meals on the flights were vast which was good as lots of options were provided on the tray which was helpful as the kids could pick and choose. They were very well-organised with kids meals came and checked that everything was in order and were flexible if children were sleeping at meal times. Every check in was easy and quick boarding was straightforward and the children were well catered for - we were encouraged to board early with them. Transfers at Incheon were great. It is easy to see why this airport rates as it does - it is just superb. Our flight to Japan left from Gimpo airport (nothing like Incheon but fine) and getting there from Incheon was really easy. My only gripe is that while the one check in bag rule is enforced the one carry on rule is not. Lots of passengers wheeled large suitcases onto the plane in addition to bulky carry on bags and backpacks which meant that there was stiff competition for space in the overhead compartments and people were pretty ruthless about claiming their space. Overall Korean Airlines was a great option for us and we would use them again. They are extremely competitive price wise and are considerably cheaper than the next cheapest option. Having the stopover included between Auckland and the UK is a luxury particularly when travelling with children.

We flew from Heathrow via Seoul to Auckland had no delays good inflight entertainment food was better than expected air hostess's were very accommodating always smiling and pleasant. Trip on the way back was even better had a 20 hour stopover in Seoul and was put up in the Hyatt hotel which was fabulous and unexpected. I would definitely fly again with this airline.

Round-trip HKG-ICN. Hong Kong to Seoul: KE602 A330-200. Fast check-in on-time boarding and departure. Newly-renovated cabin very comfortable large touch-screen. Greeted with extreme politeness by cabin crew while boarding instant hospitality felt. The food was satisfactory and other snacks were up to standard. Great entertainment system great games as well. Seoul to Hong Kong: KE601 B777-200. Again prompt check-in and on-time departure. Cabin relatively old with small and un-touchable screens. The same politeness of cabin crew food was good. Remark: Some cabin crew had a slightly weaker command of English but most of them are capable of ordinary demands by passengers.

SYD-ICN-JFK-ICN-SYD. Economy class. Sydney to Seoul was a day flight on an ageing 747. Pet hate number one: all window shades had to be closed and lights turned off during the 10 hour day flight. Uncomfortable seat despite the generous 34" pitch. Limited IFE choices. Bibimbap is the only meal worth considering. My seat mates' western choices looked very pedestrian. Cabin crew mostly young with very limited English and all service seemed very rushed and chaotic. They did spring immediately whenever people rang the call buttons. Drinks (soft and hard) were half pours in 200ml plastic cups. Overnight ICN to JFK on a much newer 777 was more comfortable. Same level of clumsy but well-intentioned service. Some mediocre entertainment choices but on a newer and more user-friendly system than the 747. Seatbelt sign was turned on at the slightest hint of light chop throughout the flight. Cabin crew stationed permanently at the lavs directing traffic and ensuring they're kept reasonably clean. JFK-ICN on A380. Seats as comfortable as they get for economy class and like the 777 great entertainment hardware but limited choice. More bibimbap. More sips of drinks from small cups. Another day flight with enforced darkness. Quick and simple transfer at ICN. Paid lounge access upstairs for USD22 is a good option and free showers available to all passengers adjacent to the lounge. ICN-SYD back to the old 747. Bibimbap for dinner on departure. Uncomfortable seat. Same service not unfriendly just impersonal and very "green". Another pet hate: breakfast was served a good three hours out of Sydney and cleared up with two hours left to go so lights turned off and blinds to remain closed. If I had to do the trip again in economy class I possibly would consider KE for the mere fact of 34" seat pitch which really does make a difference and makes up for a significant number of soft product short comings.

ICN-CEB-ICN-PRG. Very good price about 20% cheaper than the second cheapest option. First leg almost empty Boeing 747 nice experience. Probably the best legroom of all economy class seats I have seen. Their 747s have IFE with AVOD however the screens are a bit dated and selection is not the best. Return CEB-ICN check-in in CEB took two hours just waiting in Korean Air line. Again 747 but this time about 70% full. Uneventful flight on time. ICN-PRG on Airbus A330 despite being seated in the poor row (39) which is just ahead of lavatories it was not bad at all. Again generous legroom (for economy) and proper recline even in this last row. Better IFE plenty of drink rounds (they have great juices but not so great wine) calls answered quickly. My only complain would be about the requested vegetarian meal which was served on all three legs but it was always the same combination of tasteless steamed vegetables. Together with easy transfer in ICN airport I definitely recommend KE in economy if price is good.

I flew with Korean on 10th December 2013 flight KE474 Colombo - Seoul Incheon. KE 17 to Los Angeles USA and back KE 18 on 15th Dec KE 473 16th Dec 2013 to Colombo. Though it was a long flight the way the staff/crew onboard treated you was excellent Very good friendly service and food was good. Please improve the inflight entertainment with more movies since its long flight.