My office colleage and his gf are flying KE this Saturday, I showed him the guru seating plan for the 747-400 flights, however, he travel agent was useless in trying to snag good seats and so was korean Air. They just said get there early for the 9am departure.

Not really helpful, can anyone assist?

Unless you have an elite status with Skyteam, go to the airport to snag a better seat.

KE have been promising seat assignment in advance for 6 years. They had it at one time, but it disappeared. Come to the airport early - just what you'd like to hear ....

you can actually get the seats you want for First and Business (prestige) class on KE 24 hours before departure if you call Korean air reservations. For economy class, the foward seats cannot be pre-assigned and only the seats in the middle to back can be assigned if you call 48hours before departure. If you are riding on Y, it's better to go to the airport early and try getting the exit seats since they are blocked until check in.

If you could not get any asile or window seats even in the back - that would be because the seats have already been assigned to others (it's break time for many korean students studying abroad - so that could be one reason)

KE's 747 C class also has 2 exit row seat on the upper deck..and I believe that's also blocked until check in.. (for US-ICN flights, dunno about SYD flights to ICN)

So the best way for Y traveller is to reserve window/aisle seat in the middle section (just in case), go to the airport early and change your seating arrangements..

Best way for C/F travellers is to call the KE before and get it all sorted out. (I personally prefer C seats on the front of the plane (7A, 7J), because at ICN, you get to get out of the plane right after F passengers leave! (also for US flights)

I just returned from flying ATL-ICN-BKK v.v. yesterday in C class.

I had no problem in reserving seats several weeks in advance. I booked on the DL codeshare flights by phone and had the SMS agent get me the seat assignments. The GA at ATL insisted that all seats were only assigned at the gate, yet I still got the exact upstairs seat that I had reserved 3 weeks before.

Also, for the information of anyone concerned: The ATL-ICN flights are now using the upgraded 744 business class!! A very nice suprise for me.

I just returned from flying ATL-ICN-BKK v.v. yesterday in C class.

I had no problem in reserving seats several weeks in advance. I booked on the DL codeshare flights by phone and had the SMS agent get me the seat assignments. The GA at ATL insisted that all seats were only assigned at the gate, yet I still got the exact upstairs seat that I had reserved 3 weeks before.

Also, for the information of anyone concerned: The ATL-ICN flights are now using the upgraded 744 business class!! A very nice suprise for me.

Was this just an aircraft substitution, or is the ATL flight completely converted over?

Other than the seats, how was the flight in C?

Was this just an aircraft substitution, or is the ATL flight completely converted over?

Other than the seats, how was the flight in C?


Since I got the upgraded/converted 744 in both directions (ATL-ICN-ATL) I would assume that the flight is completely converted over, but...

Other than the much better seat and AVOD, the rest of the flight was typical KE. Cabin a little too warm, very good service, ok food... (strange FA uniforms, LOL).