Korean Air Skypass - Prestige Sleeper on 747? KE 0035/0036 in April 2012

Everyone,

I am considering a trip ATL->Japan in April 2012 and was looking at KE business class as an option. The "flights schedule with new aircraft" page does not go to april 2012 yet, but implies that at least as of March 2012, 0035/0036 will have prestige sleepers. But, if I do a dummy booking, those flights show as 747's with prestige plus seats. I searched this board and did not find any definitive mention of the 747's to be getting prestige sleepers.

Does anyone know more definitively what the story is here? Does KE plan to upgrade the 747 prestige class to sleepers?

unfortunately KE has no plans to upgrade the 747's with prestige sleepers becuse they plan to replace the 747's with 77W's, A380's and 747-8i's. The 744's will be converted into cargo I think

unfortunately KE has no plans to upgrade the 747's with prestige sleepers becuse they plan to replace the 747's with 77W's, A380's and 747-8i's. The 744's will be converted into cargo I think

Regarding the 747s, that seems to be what I'd found here. But on the other hand, everyone refers to the page listing flights with new A/C as the definitive source of info. So, any thoughts on what gives? If the page lists PPS in March, does that imply they'll be changing AC for that flight? Or is that page not so reliable?

Regarding the 747s, that seems to be what I'd found here. But on the other hand, everyone refers to the page listing flights with new A/C as the definitive source of info. So, any thoughts on what gives? If the page lists PPS in March, does that imply they'll be changing AC for that flight? Or is that page not so reliable?
The first thing I'd do is compare the aircraft on the route now with the one that's supposed to be on the route later. If they're different, I'd trust the flight schedule with new aircraft bit.

If I do a dummy booking for march, KE36 comes out as a 77W, but if I dummy book in April, KE36 shows a 747-400. "flights with new A/C" only goes to March. If I understand correctly, this implies KE is going to a 77W for KE36 over the winter, but plans to switch back to 747-400 in April. Does that sound correct?

KE does seem to switch planes for their winter schedules.
They use a smaller plane for the low season.

Another example: ICN-SEA is normally a 777 but changes to a 330 in November. Not sure when they switch back, maybe in April.


If I do a dummy booking for march, KE36 comes out as a 77W, but if I dummy book in April, KE36 shows a 747-400. "flights with new A/C" only goes to March. If I understand correctly, this implies KE is going to a 77W for KE36 over the winter, but plans to switch back to 747-400 in April. Does that sound correct?

KE does seem to switch planes for their winter schedules.
They use a smaller plane for the low season.

Another example: ICN-SEA is normally a 777 but changes to a 330 in November. Not sure when they switch back, maybe in April.

Korean Air has changed most of its Summer 2012 schedule except ATL.

However more changes are coming so that might includes changes for ATL as well. For the moment, KE033/034 3 weekly 77W and KE035/036 Daily 744 form 25MAR12.

SEA is Daily 332 in S12 for the moment.

Thanks for that info, jimyvr. I can probably make the 33/34 routings work for my timing, but any thoughts on when updated aircraft deployments will come for Summer 2012 Atlanta flights?

Thanks for that info, jimyvr. I can probably make the 33/34 routings work for my timing, but any thoughts on when updated aircraft deployments will come for Summer 2012 Atlanta flights?

Summer schedule begins 25MAR12.

I'd think the next major KE system-wide update for Summer season is during/after Christmas/New Year, but can't guarantee if ATL will be part of the update.

Thanks! That is extremely helpful!

I am planning a trip to Shanghai/Beijing in Sept., 2012, using one award ticket and one purchase/upgrade. Can anyone compare business class in DL with KE? We would be happy to do a stopover at ICN. We flew V Australia in business last year, for less miles than it would have been on Delta. The experience was immensely better, as well! So any comparisons among KE, DL and V Australia would be helpful.

I've just gotten off two long-haul KE J sectors (FRA-ICN-MEL), and they were great. Prestige Sleeper (full flat) seat was better than the Prestige Plus (angled lie flat) seat, but the latter was acceptable. Service was great (I wanted to go to the lav to change into my pajamas, and an FA insisted on doing some wiping up as soon as the previous occupant left and before I went in, for example), and I enjoyed the food, too.

I've not flown DL in J, but pretty much everyone I've read here puts KE way above them. There are squabbles over AF vs. DL in J, but I don't think I've seen anyone arguing that DL beats KE in J. That said, what's your origin? DL's still flying some equipment with the older J product TPAC, so if that'd be in your routing definitely go KE (assuming your dates don't hit the award blackout dates, since you want an award ticket).

That said, what's your origin? DL's still flying some equipment with the older J product TPAC, so if that'd be in your routing definitely go KE (assuming your dates don't hit the award blackout dates, since you want an award ticket).

I am sure that we would arrange a routing on DL with the flat beds. If we used KE, we would be going ATL-ICN and then beyond. I see that currently they are flying both 747-300s and 777-300s on this route.

I made an award booking for 33 and 34 for the dates I wanted in business. Currently scheduled for a 777 on both flights. Thanks for the guidance and pointers, everyone!

I made an award booking for 33 and 34 for the dates I wanted in business. Currently scheduled for a 777 on both flights. Thanks for the guidance and pointers, everyone!

Did you get that using DL SkyMiles?

I've had horrible luck finding availability in Business on KE's ATL-ICN flights. I had been wondering whether my luck would improve by trying the nighttime flights. Is that so?

I did book via skypesos. For my purposes, the midnight departure is perfect. I can't speak for general availability, of course, since the only way to check KE flights for DL flyers seems to be to ask an agent about a specific flight.

Now, if I only can shorten my outbound layover from 14 hours to something more manageable, I'll be thrilled ^_^

I used my Delta Skymiles to book KE36 from ATL-ICN in early September, 2012. I then learned from KE that this flight (a 747) does not have the flat bed seats. The information on the KE web site is contradictory. In one place, it shows this as lie flat, in another place not. I was able to change to KE34, the 777, which has the flat beds.

I used my Delta Skymiles to book KE36 from ATL-ICN in early September, 2012. I then learned from KE that this flight (a 747) does not have the flat bed seats. The information on the KE web site is contradictory. In one place, it shows this as lie flat, in another place not. I was able to change to KE34, the 777, which has the flat beds.

FWIW, the issue here may be the distinction between Prestige Plus lie-flat seats and Prestige Sleeper flat-bed seats. Prestige Plus = 170 degrees, lie-flat-at-an-angle in sleeping position. Prestige Sleeper = 180 degrees fully flat horizontal in sleeping position.

Good to hear that some SkyMiles availability is opening up on both ATL flights, at long last.

FWIW, the issue here may be the distinction between Prestige Plus lie-flat seats and Prestige Sleeper flat-bed seats. Prestige Plus = 170 degrees, lie-flat-at-an-angle in sleeping position. Prestige Sleeper = 180 degrees fully flat horizontal in sleeping position.


No, that was not the issue. In one place it was shown as both being the Sleeper flat-bed seats, which is not true. I have used the equivalent "lie flat at an angle" seats on Delta, and they are awful.

No, that was not the issue. In one place it was shown as both being the Sleeper flat-bed seats, which is not true. I have used the equivalent "lie flat at an angle" seats on Delta, and they are awful.

Then your post above, #17, could have been more clear, because it read like you were not making the distinction.

I'm flying in biz on the 744 ORD-ICN in prestige class in a few days....any views as to whether the upper deck or main cabin is best? I called the KE line and asked for a seat in the upper deck, but I don't know if this will hold until check-in...

An update on my previous post.....am now all ready to go in row 18 on the upper deck, will see how that goes.

On another topic. called the KE number in the US twice....once I got a lady, very pleasant and polite. The second time I got a guy, with very unpleasant and downright surly phone demeanor....wonder if that's a common experience with the KE helpline.

An update on my previous post.....am now all ready to go in row 18 on the upper deck, will see how that goes.

On another topic. called the KE number in the US twice....once I got a lady, very pleasant and polite. The second time I got a guy, with very unpleasant and downright surly phone demeanor....wonder if that's a common experience with the KE helpline.

Did he have an American accent? When I called 12 PM EST on a Sunday, the guy I talked to was a bit surly, but he was able to get me the reservation I wanted. I think I've actually talked to this guy in 2010.

When I called at night, I'm guessing that I'd get someone in Korea.

Did he have an American accent? When I called 12 PM EST on a Sunday, the guy I talked to was a bit surly, but he was able to get me the reservation I wanted. I think I've actually talked to this guy in 2010.

When I called at night, I'm guessing that I'd get someone in Korea.


I called in the evening (I think, but can't be sure).

On another note, I can report that upper deck was amazing, we sat right at the front and were the only pax up there, it was like being on a private biz jet. Service was super friendly. Good experience and would definitely do it again!

I made an award booking for 33 and 34 for the dates I wanted in business. Currently scheduled for a 777 on both flights. Thanks for the guidance and pointers, everyone!

Angra, did you ever find out which type of seats you are getting? I'm in the same situation and would prefer the 180 lie flat seats. Korean Air has still not updated atl correctly on their website for ke33/34. Called to make an award reservation in April and was told the seats are prestige plus for both.

Angra, did you ever find out which type of seats you are getting? I'm in the same situation and would prefer the 180 lie flat seats. Korean Air has still not updated atl correctly on their website for ke33/34. Called to make an award reservation in April and was told the seats are prestige plus for both.

After further research I found that KE 33/34 777 does have prestige sleeper, flight number KE 35/36 747 (400) does not. These are out of ATL.

After further research I found that KE 33/34 777 does have prestige sleeper, flight number KE 35/36 747 (400) does not. These are out of ATL.

rookie10, where did you locate this info? I was notified of schedule change, and I see 33/34 listed as 777-200/200ER, but can not find a way to determine if it is the 772K or the 772S.

rookie10, where did you locate this info? I was notified of schedule change, and I see 33/34 listed as 777-200/200ER, but can not find a way to determine if it is the 772K or the 772S.

I found initially there are 2 diff 777-200 one that seats 261 the other 248 on the KE website (look under fleets). My wife then called to speak to a KE agent to redeem her skypass miles. They informed her the miles would be 125 instead of 120 since the flight has sleeper seats on the plane. I have received her confirmation itinerary so I can double check. I'm not sure if that helps answer your question.

As a Delta skymiles member, rather than KAL Skypass member, I don't think that that path is open to me. Does anyone know of a way to determine which 772 config 33/34 in April are using?

Edit to Add:
"Flight Schedules" from main page seems to give a hint - it appears to be 772S. This can only be determined by examining or following the link for the aircraft (777-200) listed under the schedule for the days in question.

As a Delta skymiles member, rather than KAL Skypass member, I don't think that that path is open to me. Does anyone know of a way to determine which 772 config 33/34 in April are using?

Edit to Add:
"Flight Schedules" from main page seems to give a hint - it appears to be 772S. This can only be determined by examining or following the link for the aircraft (777-200) listed under the schedule for the days in question.
Flight Schedule with new Aircraft on the KE site is the best way to see what sort of seating is on a particular flight. If you're looking for dates beyond what's available there and have a way to see inventory (ExpertFlyer is what I use, but maybe FlightStats can do it for free), look and see if they're selling J or C. J means Prestige Sleeper, while C means Prestige Plus (angled). I guess you could also do a mock booking on the KE website and see if the fare is in J or C, but if you get a discounted bucket, it won't be clear.

Flight Schedule with new Aircraft on the KE site is the best way to see what sort of seating is on a particular flight. If you're looking for dates beyond what's available there and have a way to see inventory (ExpertFlyer is what I use, but maybe FlightStats can do it for free), look and see if they're selling J or C. J means Prestige Sleeper, while C means Prestige Plus (angled). I guess you could also do a mock booking on the KE website and see if the fare is in J or C, but if you get a discounted bucket, it won't be clear.

Thanks! This approach via EF confirmed I am in J/Sleeper for my flights (for now!).