Korean Air Skypass - Will the passengers on my Korean Airlines flight be mostly Asian?

I am looking forward to my upcoming trip to China via Seoul on Korean Airlines. I did some research on Korean on the Internet and people reported on other websites that they were one of just a handful of non Asians on the flight. I am not saying this is bad and may actually increase the exotic nature of the trip, but can this really be true?

For example, we are going on the non stop from Washington Dulles to Seoul. Will basically everyone be Asian on the flight?

What has been your experience?

I've flown IAD-ICN several times and would guess that maybe 80+% are of Asian ancestry although many live or were born in the US, but I would guess that on most transpacific flights of other airlines the ridership is predominantly Asian. Can't say it makes the flight any more exotic since Asian passengers do what non-Asian passengers do - sleep, read, and watch movies. Announcements are made in Korean and English and there is usually a Korean offering at the mealtimes. Korean Air provides good service at a good price and Incheon is a great airport. You made a good choice of airline.

Not only will the majority of the passengers be Asian but once you reach your destination almost everyone will be mostly Asian. :D If that were any kind of problem for some reason, probably best to chose another airline and another destination. :D :D :D

Otherwise KE is an outstanding airline.

I've flown IAD-ICN several times and would guess that maybe 80+% are of Asian ancestry although many live or were born in the US, but I would guess that on most transpacific flights of other airlines the ridership is predominantly Asian. Can't say it makes the flight any more exotic since Asian passengers do what non-Asian passengers do - sleep, read, and watch movies. Announcements are made in Korean and English and there is usually a Korean offering at the mealtimes. Korean Air provides good service at a good price and Incheon is a great airport. You made a good choice of airline.

And when offered a choice of meal, korean is likely to be better than the western alternative on KAL and Asiana.

You'll be shocked when you enter your flight, not a single person in your flight is Asian, except for the flight crew. :D

I am looking forward to my upcoming trip to China via Seoul on Korean Airlines. I did some research on Korean on the Internet and people reported on other websites that they were one of just a handful of non Asians on the flight. I am not saying this is bad and may actually increase the exotic nature of the trip, but can this really be true?

For example, we are going on the non stop from Washington Dulles to Seoul. Will basically everyone be Asian on the flight?

What has been your experience?


:rolleyes:



Not only will the majority of the passengers be Asian but once you reach your destination almost everyone will be mostly Asian. :D If that were any kind of problem for some reason, probably best to chose another airline and another destination. :D :D :D

Otherwise KE is an outstanding airline.


This is the answer.

Yup. Nothin' we Asians like more than to being viewed as exotic curiousities. And don't forget that some Asians have been in the US (or Canada, or Australia, or Argentina or wherever...) for generations and are as American as anyone else. Sorry if you find that disappointing...

Yup. Nothin' we Asians like more than to being viewed as exotic curiousities. And don't forget that some Asians have been in the US (or Canada, or Australia, or Argentina or wherever...) for generations and are as American as anyone else. Sorry if you find that disappointing...

Chinese migration to the U.S. started 100 years before the eastern European migration in the early 1900s. I've met a 4th or 5th generation Chinese ancestry American who could not speak a word of Chinese.

Yes, Asians who are likely to speak a foreign language are exotic if you spend all your days in rural West Virginia, like I do. Why do people always assume negative vibes when race is brought up in America.

I was just curious about the demographics of the people on the flight so I would have a topic of discussion with my friends when talking about the trip.

Yup. Nothin' we Asians like more than to being viewed as exotic curiousities. And don't forget that some Asians have been in the US (or Canada, or Australia, or Argentina or wherever...) for generations and are as American as anyone else. Sorry if you find that disappointing...

..sadly,, thats just how it is here, which is why the sooner i finish my education, the sooner i can leave. I want to go back to Korea and teach English there a few years and then work on getting my MBA. theres too many ignorant people in this country.





Yes, Asians who are likely to speak a foreign language are exotic if you spend all your days in rural West Virginia, like I do. Why do people always assume negative vibes when race is brought up in America.

I was just curious about the demographics of the people on the flight so I would have a topic of discussion with my friends when talking about the trip.

thats like asking if, when flying on Emirates or anyother middle eastern carrier.. will most of the people on the flight be muslim

I remember a news story back about half a year ago about some guy from texas pitching a fit at the JFK airport onboard a Kuwait airlines flight, which he was cause for delay of the flight by 3 hours.. he was going on and on (on his soapbox) about how he was afraid for his security because there were too many muslim looking people on the flight and was afraid to fly on the flight because the entire crew was muslim looking and was pitching a fit about how he doesnt want the flight to leave jfk until a non-muslim looking crew was found to fly the plane... and fyi.. his final destinantion was Muscat oman...

Did he REALIZE that the airline is based in a muslim country and muslim owned.. and furthermore did he actually know that oman is in the middle east!! WHAT A FRICKIN MORON.. and fyi finally the police came onboard and arrested him for interfering with a flight crew... and got a nice Felony out of the deal ;) what a fruitcake

I am looking forward to my upcoming trip to China via Seoul on Korean Airlines. I did some research on Korean on the Internet and people reported on other websites that they were one of just a handful of non Asians on the flight. I am not saying this is bad and may actually increase the exotic nature of the trip, but can this really be true?

For example, we are going on the non stop from Washington Dulles to Seoul. Will basically everyone be Asian on the flight?

What has been your experience?

No matter what people might say, you'll have a jolly old time in Asia. This trip will definately be mind opening experience for you. Enjoy your trip and don't be shy about talking to your Asian seatmate, he might actually understand English. :D

..sadly,, thats just how it is here, which is why the sooner i finish my education, the sooner i can leave. I want to go back to Korea and teach English there a few years and then work on getting my MBA. theres too many ignorant people in this country.
Teaching English, huh?

SFO-PVG on United, I would say the majority of the people on there are Asian.

Yes, Asians who are likely to speak a foreign language are exotic if you spend all your days in rural West Virginia, like I do. Why do people always assume negative vibes when race is brought up in America.

I was just curious about the demographics of the people on the flight so I would have a topic of discussion with my friends when talking about the trip.

When I first read the post, I did a :rolleyes:, but I will give you the benefit of doubt that you have not seen or interacted with Asians much.

It would be a good bet that if you travel from one place to another, there will be a good mix of both groups on board. As for the Asians=exotic, no more so than if you flew to France or Spain, two countries that also speak foreign languages (btw, if you are in their country, it is you speaking the foreign language.)

As others have said, people of Asian descent have been in North America for a couple hundred years, and for those who have been here for generations, your comment also suggests that no matter how long they are here, they will always be exotic or 'foreign' to the local people. Herein lies the disrespectful nature of the comment. The choice of language does not make one exotic, its just a way to communicate.

I am glad you will be able to experience traveling to a new land, where people speak a different language. I hope you love seeing China, its an amazing country full of transition and history. Enjoy your flight and have a safe trip!

..sadly,, thats just how it is here, which is why the sooner i finish my education, the sooner i can leave. I want to go back to Korea and teach English there a few years and then work on getting my MBA. theres too many ignorant people in this country.
Interesting.
In my 9 years living in Japan, Singapore, and China, I found the EXACT same thing about those countries--plenty of people who stereotyped about other cultures (even each others!), and plenty who just didn't want to know. Also, plenty who were totally cool, educated, and internationally aware.
Funny huh! I guess just Korea doesn't have ignorant people.
Whoops! But wait, my 6 trips there proved otherwise. Plenty of them there, too....
Interestingly, before this reply, I really did roll my eyes at the question asked by the OP--but your silly reply is ridiculous.

If you travel on an Asian airline between the US and Asia you will generally find more Asians than you would on a US airline. You will also find more French on Air France than you would on AA, for example. Unless you believe that you will somehow be discriminated against as a "round eyes", you probably should prefer the Asian carrier. The food, service, seats, and entertainment will likely be better. There is also the intangible benefit of being immersed in the culture as soon as you leave the US, and less chance of being squeezed in your seat by an adjacent fat American. ;)

I flew KE from NRT to ICN this summer and was treated very well even though it looked like I was the only Westerner in business class.

Last time I flew KE in business class I had Bibimbap to eat. The crew kindly provided me with written instructions how to eat it. Now how much more thoughtful can you get? :D

...............and less chance of being squeezed in your seat by an adjacent fat American. ;)

That my friend is the number one answer:D:D:D:D:D

Being a big (but not fat) American guy who has spent thousands of hours traversing the Pacific in economy seats I can attest this is indeed the number one benefit.:D:D:D:D

SFO-PVG on United, I would say the majority of the people on there are Asian.

Hmmm. I would not say majority. I would say upto a half might be Asians from my experiences.

Hmmm. I would not say majority. I would say upto a half might be Asians from my experiences.

It's been variable but it seems to me to be about 50:50.

Note that many of those are actually US citizens of Asian descent.


Perhaps the class matters--the one time we were op-upped things were more white.

Yea, i know what you mean, but generally speaking, I feel that people abroad tend to have a better "worldview," compared to most people I've ever met over here, do you get what I mean in that regards? I lived in Germany for 3 years in High School with an Aunt and Uncle of mine who live there. It was an amazing experience, sure opened my eyes to the world, and for sure was a complete change from what I was used to in my life.




Interesting.
In my 9 years living in Japan, Singapore, and China, I found the EXACT same thing about those countries--plenty of people who stereotyped about other cultures (even each others!), and plenty who just didn't want to know. Also, plenty who were totally cool, educated, and internationally aware.
Funny huh! I guess just Korea doesn't have ignorant people.
Whoops! But wait, my 6 trips there proved otherwise. Plenty of them there, too....
Interestingly, before this reply, I really did roll my eyes at the question asked by the OP--but your silly reply is ridiculous.

As others have said, people of Asian descent have been in North America for a couple hundred years, and for those who have been here for generations, your comment also suggests that no matter how long they are here, they will always be exotic or 'foreign' to the local people. Herein lies the disrespectful nature of the comment. The choice of language does not make one exotic, its just a way to communicate.

But how do you know the OP was refering to US nationals of Asian heritage? Perhaps they were refering to Korean tourists and using the pejorative 'Asian'? In which case her comment would not be 'disrespectful', as you seem ready to assume. If she asked the same about, say, Russians and Aeroflot would people be so sensitive?

But how do you know the OP was refering to US nationals of Asian heritage? Perhaps they were refering to Korean tourists and using the pejorative 'Asian'? In which case her comment would not be 'disrespectful', as you seem ready to assume. If she asked the same about, say, Russians and Aeroflot would people be so sensitive?

You may have misunderstood my post. I believe the OP, thinks that most of the passengers will be Korean/other Asian language speaking ("Asians who are likely to speak a foreign language are exotic") and had not considered that American-born/based could also be onboard. Also, that I think she should not assume all Asians to be foreigners. The failure to recognize that people of Asian descent could in fact also be American (or Canadian, or British....) is the point at hand.

I did address the concept of exotic in referring to French or Spanish, Russian would also apply here.