Flight Review: Korean Air Business Class 777

• Around the World in Twelve Days
• Hotel Review: Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague
• Touring Prague, Czech Republic
• Hotel Review: Park Hyatt Seoul
• Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt Seoul
• Touring Seoul, Korea
• Flight Review: Korean Air Business Class
• Flight Review: Japan Airlines Business Class
• Flight Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class

  

Introduction

The next leg of my trip took me from Gimpo Internation Airport (GMP) to Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka, Japan.  Whenever possible, fly out of GMP since it is much closer to Seoul than Incheon International Airport.  Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, an Jeju Air had the only direct flights for this route.  Also, the mileage redemption rate for the business class on this route was a good value at 13,900 Etihad Guest miles for a partner award booking on Korean Air.

Booking

The Etihad Guest program has excellent award redemptions on Korean Air.  For this flight, the redemption rate was 13,900 Etihad Guest Miles for what normally costs $440 in business class.  Economy class would have only cost 7,000 miles.  The lines to go through passport control at Kansai International Airport can get very long but business class passengers can bypass this line making the extra miles used for business class completely worth it.

Flight to Osaka

Korean Air  2725
Seoul (GMP) to Osaka (KIX)
Cabin: Business
Seat: 8J
Aircraft: Boeing 777

Service (5/5)

Considering the flight was short (100 Minutes), the staff was very attentive, providing pre-flight drinks and a full breakfast.  Also, the boarding process was the fastest I ever experienced on a 777.

Plane Atmosphere (4/5)

Unlike the A350 which feels open and spacious, this 777 plane felt a bit cramped most likely due to the business class area only have two rows with walls in between.  The plane also seemed a bit aged but the flight was smooth regardless.

Food (4/5)

Maybe it was because I was jet lagged and this flight was super early in the day, but the breakfast was awesome.

Seat Comfort (4/5)

For a short flight the seat was sufficient.  However, on longer transcontinental flights, I’m not sure how happy I’d be with the width of the seats or the lack of storage areas around the seat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using Etihad Guest miles to fly on Korean Air can provide some great business class opportunities at low redemption rates.  While not fancy like Qatar Airways, Korean Air business class seats certainly are more comfortable than economy class and have the added benefit of priority lane access at passport control.

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