About Korean Air
A premium travel experience is characterised by enhanced comfort and luxury. With priority access and assistance at the airport, access to exclusive lounge, wide cabin sized seats, impeccable food and beverage selection along with multiple amenities and perks can describe Korean Air First Class. Known for offering top-notch experience and services to its customers, Korean Air really levels up the first class experience.
Korean Air, the official flag carrier of South Korea and also the largest airlines based on its fleet size, destinations, and international flights. The airline operated from its hub in Incheon, Incheon International Airport. However, the headquarters of the airlines is based in Seoul. Korean Air currently operates on 120 destinations in 40 cities with its extensive 160 aircrafts. Korean Air is also the founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes airlines like Air France, KLM and Delta Airlines.
What to Expect from Korean Air First Class
Known for its world-class services, Korean Airlines First Class offers a wide range of facilities on board which includes seat selection, in-flight entertainment and delectable dishes as part of meal service too. However, the first class experience varies a little from plane to plane and from airport to airport.
For example, the double decker aircraft 747-8 comes with a personal cabin like seats at the nose of the place. With a 6 ft tall ceiling and ample space ensure that the guests have plenty of room to move around. Along with the spacious layout, the seat itself is equipped with every sort of amenity from USB ports to storage compartment to keep your small necessities. The best part of Korean Air First Class is the impeccable inflight services like endless meals and beverage services and on-point attention of crew to make your flight comfortable. However, let’s scrutinise the details of first class to another level.
Priority Check-in Service
The airline offers a unique service called KAL Premium Care services which is an exclusive one-on-one service where Korean Air staff will escort you all the way to your boarding gate. Upon arrival, you will have a personal assistant that will take you through the check-in procedures and baggage drop incase if you are carrying any checked baggage. After clearing the needful process, you will be escorted towards the Korean Air First Class lounge or any SkyTeam Lounge at the airport until the time to board to relax before flight. The assistance is highly personalised and will be responsible to make your journey at the airport more convenient.
Exclusive Check-in Lounge
Starting from a courteous greeting, you will be welcomed into the SkyTeam Lounge which is designed and up to date with all sorts of amenities and facilities. However, the quality of the lounge heavily depends on the origin of the airport. For example, the Delta Sky Club is one of the best lounges offered by the members of SkyTeam and at the same time, the lounges at their hub Incheon International Airport is another exemplary example of Korean First class lounges. Offering multiple varieties of cuisine in buffet style (depending on the time of the day) can satisfy your impending hunger before the flight. The lavish space of the lounges are occupied with different seating arrangements including quiet ones and work stations. Another plus point of the lounge is the number of outlets and UBS available to charge your devices.
Surplus Amount of Baggage
Being a first class passenger allows you to carry up to two carry-on luggages that should weigh not more than 40 pounds with a total dimension of 45 inches. Now, you don’t have to worry about packing less or removing stuff while travelling with Korean first class because you can also get three checked-in weighing no more than 70.5 pounds (32.5 kg) each and a total dimension of 62 inches.
Spacious Onboard Setting
Spread across three rows in a 1-1 layout in the jumbo jet 747-8 can make you feel as if you are flying in a private jet even though there are 368 seats in the flight. The configuration of the cabin however depends on the type of airport and level of services. The airline offers three distinct Korean Air First Class cabins among its highest service: Kosmos Suite, an updated version of the preceding one “Kosmos Suite 2.0, and “Kosmos Sleeper” on 777, 747, and A380.
Kosmos Suite 2.0 is the only available in jet 747- 8 which offers complete privacy with a sliding door among the other First Class products. Every First Class product is embellished with an inflight entertainment console, but 2.0 has a 34 inches personal monitor compared to 23 inches on the original Kosmos and 17 inches on the Kosmos Sleeper. The seat size in Kosmos 2.0 is also the largest with a pitch of 83 inches and a seat width 24 inches, but increases up to 32 inches when in bed position. However, the original Korean first class Kosmos also exhibits extra cabin space without having sliding doors for privacy.
The finest First Class product Kosmos Suite 2.0 comes with two pop-open storage compartments with one housing entertainment controller, headphone jack, and USB plug. To emphasise on the cabin space, there are no overhead bins in the nose of the place which gives the cabin an open and airy feeling. There are two standard lavatories for first class passengers and additional storage space at the front of the cabin to keep carry-on baggage.
Inflight Entertainment Services
Each first class suite features a high-tech entertainment console that offers a decent amount of shows and movies to entertain you throughout the journey while travelling in Korean Air First Class. Passengers can also enjoy the facility to play games to keep themselves busy throughout the journey. You also get exclusive Bose noise cancellation earphones so that you can experience entertainment on board.
Exceptional Inflight Food Service
Filled with quintessential Korean dishes along with premium wine and champagne will make your inflight meal service feel like a complete fine dining experience in first class. Enjoy the authentic yet cater to all tastes Korean meals like bibimbap, Korean spice pork with leaf wrap served with steamed rice, acorn jelly, and rice soup served with Bulgogi beef in the menu. The menu usually consists of several appetisers, entree and desserts. Another plus point of travelling in Korean Airlines first class is the extensive collection of premium wine from the best sommelier. Furthermore, the first class allows you to dine-on-demand which means you can dine whenever you want to. Just ask the crew and you will have your food served steaming hot at any time.
Additional Inflight Amenities
If you think that the first class experience was limited to high-end lounges, fine-dining meals services and spacious seats then you have underestimated the airlines. Korean Air also provides its customers with Atelier Cologne’s amenity kit which includes lip balm, hand cream, body lotion, aftershaves, face creams in addition to the usual eye masks and toothbrush. The pouch itself is made from sustainable leather giving it a top-notch quality. Korean Air First Class passengers are also provided with Gianfranco Ferre custom-made pajamas on long-haul flights for a more comfortable flight experience.
Best Ways to Get Good Deals on First Class Ticket
Naturally, the amount of amenities and facilities will cost significantly more than what you usually pay for economy class. Thus, there are some creative ways through which you can score some good First Class deals.
Earn Korean Air Miles
It was pretty easy to get a first class ticket by redeeming the reward points before Korean Air left the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. However, you can still fly with Korean Air First class with miles and points. Rather earn the Marriott Bonvoy points to transfer to Korean Air. Also, you can use Korean Air credit cards, like the Skypass Visa Secured Card that offers reward points on every purchase. Or you can simply use the loyalty points from any other SkyTeam Alliance to redeem a Korean Air First Class.
Save Miles with Off-Peak Travel
Naturally, if you are travelling during the off-season you will notice slightly less price in fares. Korean Air offers both off-peak and peak pricing when listing award flights. This means you can save plenty of miles points if you opt for travelling during off-peak. Also, being flexible with travel dates can mean substantial saving.
Redeem Miles for Lounge Access
As mentioned before, First Class comes with access to extravagant lounges. Even if you fail to get a first class ticket you can still get access to the lounge by redeeming your miles points. While travelling with Korean Air, you can get access to lounges in New York(JFK), Los Angeles and Honolulu Airport and Incheon Airport in South Korea.
Bottom Line
Known for offering some of the best services in Korean AIr First Class, the airline desires to create a lavish yet comfortable onboard experience. From lavish lounges to sustainable yet high-end amenity kits, the first class is packed with perks and facilities. Naturally, the price of the first class is expected to be significantly expensive but you can still enjoy the services of First class by using mile points. For example, you can get a flight from Seoul (ICH) to New York (JFK) at 5,118 USD, however, by using it you can earn an award flight without paying much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Korean Air First Class have flat beds?
Yes, Korean Air offers lie-flat beds in every Korean Air First Class. You will notice slight variation in seats in A340-600 and Boeing 747-8 aircrafts.
What facilities are included in the Korean Air First Class?
You get the benefit of priority check-in and boarding along with excess baggage allowance, premium quality of seats, world – class in-flight meals, sleeping and skincare amenities, and wide variety of choice of entertainment on board.
Does Korean Air First Class have lounge access?
First Class comes with access to extravagant lounges. While travelling with Korean Air, you can get access to lounges in New York(JFK), Los Angeles and Honolulu Airport and Incheon Airport in South Korea.
Does Korean Air provide alcohol in First Class?
Beverages are available on every Korean Airflight. Korean Air First Class passengers can enjoy a wide range of complimentary drinks including finest wines and cocktails from the specially chosen by world’s best sommelier.
What is the baggage allowance in Korean Air First Class?
As first class passengers, you are allowed to carry up to two carry-on luggages that should weigh not more than 40 pounds with a total dimension of 45 inches. You can also get three checked-in weighing no more than 70.5 pounds (32.5 kg) each and a total dimension of 62 inches.
What is the inflight entertainment in Korean Air First Class?
Each first class suite features a high-tech entertainment console that offers a decent amount of shows and movies to entertain you throughout the journey while travelling in Korean Air First Class. You also get exclusive Bose noise cancellation earphones so that you can experience entertainment on board.
Do I get priority boarding in Korean Air First Class?
Passengers can enjoy the priority check-in and boarding facilities as part of priority services at the airport. To extend this premium experience the airline has established a special check-in counter.
How can I get First Class in Korean Air?
You can use mile points or reward points to get an award flight with Korean Air. Earn the Marriott Bonvoy points to transfer them into miles to Korean Air. You can also use Korean Air credit cards, like the Skypass Visa Secured Card that offers reward points on every purchase. Or you can simply use the loyalty points from any other SkyTeam Alliance to redeem a Korean Air First Class.
Does Korean Air have a flat-bed?
You can experience comfort while travelling on the First Class which offers 32 inches fully-flat beds along with pillows and duvets of finest quality.
How to access the lounge with Korean Air?
You can access the lounge by purchasing First or Prestige Class (Business class) or you can redeem mile points to access the lounge. Also, if you are member of any SkyTeam loyalty program, then you automatically have access to lounges of allied airlines.
