Asiana Club - Asiana Business or United Business

So I've finally saved up enough miles to book a business class flight from SFO->ICN->HK. My choices are United or Asiana for that first leg. I've done some searching on FT about the comparison between the two, but they're from pretty old threads. Does anyone have an opinion of which would be better? Thanks

Where are you flying from?
I decided to go with Asiana from SFO because of (semi) guaranteed (unless plane switch) Quadra Smartypants or whatever they call it, even though it cost me some miles to get to SFO business class.
I believe if you can't get those seats on Asiana, presently flown from SFO and LAX primarily, United has to be better.

If you're flying out of SFO, then it's 99% going to be Quadra Smartium(QS) which is a better seat than UA New C (and no comparison to UA Old C, if you're unlucky enough).

Food, wine, service, amenity, etc etc are all miles ahead on OZ. Usually, the only problem is the hard product but with a route served by QS aircraft, there is no need for any debate at all. You'd be crazy for even entertaining the idea of UA C over OZ New C.

I flew UA old C and UA new C in November. On the same route IAD-(GRU)-GIG and back. I've never flown OZ C but in any iteration, it has to be better than UA old C. UA new C is quite nice (flat beds, big PTVs) though it's in a 2-4-2 configuration (I prefer AC C with 1-2-1 herringbone personally).

The potential issue with UA may be if you can be assured of new C or not. It's almost a waste of a ticket if you end up with old C. I guess you can see on their site if it's guaranteed on certain routes or not.

[Food, wine, service, amenity, etc etc are all miles ahead on OZ. Usually, the only problem is the hard product but with a route served by QS aircraft, there is no need for any debate at all. You'd be crazy for even entertaining the idea of UA C over OZ New C.[/QUOTE]

+1 Service is night and day

OZ C. Better soft product, better hard product (no having to crawl over people in neighboring seats on OZ C with QS > somewhat better IFE on UA, if you're American).

you guys are awesome. Asiana it is!

I concur. The service on OZ is streets ahead of what UA offer - even if the UA flight was the lie flat seat and the OZ flight was the non lie flat, I'd pick OZ without hesitation.

I concur. The service on OZ is streets ahead of what UA offer - even if the UA flight was the lie flat seat and the OZ flight was the non lie flat, I'd pick OZ without hesitation.

I disagree, you need a good seat for a long flight, we are not talking intra-asia.

If it is non lie flat that means it is also non-AVOD (at least for the 2 class 777) If the seat and AVOD is not important, then why not save the miles or money and fly Y instead ? Y serve the same bibimbap or ssam bap as well.

I disagree, you need a good seat for a long flight, we are not talking intra-asia.

If it is non lie flat that means it is also non-AVOD (at least for the 2 class 777) If the seat and AVOD is not important, then why not save the miles or money and fly Y instead ? Y serve the same bibimbap or ssam bap as well.

I disagree. The 'old' OZ business seat was still very good, just not lie flat. Going by your argument, it's difficult to fathom how anyone managed a long haul flight in the old business seat (with a woeful 168 degrees of incline), and would have been better off just going in economy instead to save the money.

I agree that if AVOD is important to you (which it isn't to me), or you want to sleep for the whole of the flight, then UA make sense. But if you want a high quality service then OZ are in a different league to UA.

Last year I flew LHR - IAD in UA business 3 times and while the seat and AVOD were good, the service was lousy. I flew LHR - ICN five times in business, three legs with the lie flat and seven with the old seat. I enjoyed the OZ flights way more than the UA flights.

I disagree, you need a good seat for a long flight, we are not talking intra-asia.

If it is non lie flat that means it is also non-AVOD (at least for the 2 class 777) If the seat and AVOD is not important, then why not save the miles or money and fly Y instead ? Y serve the same bibimbap or ssam bap as well.

Uh, a non-lie flat in C is still heaps better than any seat in Y. Most Y seats don't have power, either.

And lie-flat is much more important on a nighttime departure, where I want to get a full night's sleep. Daytime flights I'll want the meal and a comfortable chair to relax in- and in my case (SEA), my choices Asia-bound are the random lottery of maybe lie-flat, maybe not on a UA 777 (SEA-NRT), connecting to SFO (read: either get up stupid early for a very long day of flying or risk ATC ground holds), or, worse yet, backtracking to ORD/IAD (ugh)... or OZ A333 C, at a flight leaving at 1 in the afternoon my time (so not a great candidate for sleeping 6 hours).

(SFO has a similar departure time, FWIW.)

I do wish they were putting QS seats in the A333s, but I really liked OZ's service, so it's likely I'll take them in the future over UA for award trips where I want to go to Asia. And it turns out I can even sleep in LH C. ;)

I disagree, you need a good seat for a long flight, we are not talking intra-asia.

If it is non lie flat that means it is also non-AVOD (at least for the 2 class 777) If the seat and AVOD is not important, then why not save the miles or money and fly Y instead ? Y serve the same bibimbap or ssam bap as well.

The OZ fan club (me included) still choses the old OZ C over most other carriers new C. With the exception of NZ for me.

The OZ fan club (me included) still choses the old OZ C over most other carriers new C. With the exception of NZ for me.

So it's not just me then....

Never flown NZ, but will be going AKL to HKG in C on Feb 8th. If you say they're better than OZ then it should be something to look forward to.

Y serve the same bibimbap or ssam bap as well.

Not according to the FA on one of my flights. I was in the rear of the C cabin and wanted the Ssambap, but they'd already run out by the time they got to me because the cabin was full of Koreans who all ordered the Korean instead of Western meal. The FA told me she would be glad to retrieve a Ssambap Y meal, but that it wasn't the same as what was served in C. Something about a smaller quantity of food and some other differences.

So it's not just me then....

Never flown NZ, but will be going AKL to HKG in C on Feb 8th. If you say they're better than OZ then it should be something to look forward to.

Not service wise but they combine a really good hard product (especially on the 773) with a very good service. Not quite OZ service but the combination of the two makes it a good product. If they would now honour *G luggage benefits then this would be even better.

Just slighly off topic, would anyone mind comparing the difference between OZ and NH's business class?

Although I am due to fly from Europe to ICN, I may have to fly from the West Coast in April and would not mind trying NH to ICN via NRT....anyone have any thoughts?

I always fly Asian carriers on TPAC flights if I have a choice between them and US carriers.
I would fly on US carriers only if the route is not available, or if I have a time constraint.
My reason is because US carriers have too many grumpy old grandma type FAs with attitudes working the F cabin.

Update: so I had booked my flight using united's mileage plus from SFO->ICN and then ICN->HKG on flight 213.

Got a phone call saying there's been an equipment change from the lie-flat beds to the 167 degree beds. Anyone know the likelihood of it being switched back....orrr any way around this?

I would suggest that if they have already called you to say that there is going to be a change, then it's unlikely it will be changed back.

If you really can't manage 13 hours with only 167 degrees of recline instead of 180, and if you value the seat over the service, then you can always switch to United.

Me, I'd happily stay with the Asiana flight.

It's a day flight, so personal choice would go to OZ old C over UA new C. But since the IFE might be the ancient non-AVOD, I would definitely make sure I bring my own entertainment.

I have never had a bad flight on NZ across all service classes. They truly go the extra mile.

Having just returned from my first ever flight on OZ...- JFK-ICN-BKK and back in the 167 degree seat, I would say stick with OZ.

The seat on OZ is excellent and I have flown the route with UA many times old and new. I do like the new seats on UA but the attitude, service, food etc... on OZ is remarkable. I had two overnight segments and had no issue sleeping in the 167 degree seat, but typically I don't recline to 180 even when I have the option.

Having recently completed a South East Asia trip with connections via OZ outbound LAX-ICN and UA inbound ICN-SFO, I would not hesitate to go out of my way to get the OZ flights in Business and politely decline the UA's! :D

Services:
OZ - Very attentive & courteous. FA's frequently make the rounds to top up drinks or attend to everyone's needs.
UA - just barely efficient and somewhat on the brisk/curt side. FA's rarely seen after meal services.
Seat:
OZ - 747-400 lie-flat but not 100% horizontal -- clean/fresh wide seat but not as comfortable as UA's
UA - 747-400 (new configuration) lie-flat 100% horizonal -- comfortable but a bit narrow and not as clean/fresh as OZ's
Beverage:
OZ - good selections of quality wines & decent Champagne. I was drinking mostly Champagne during the flight! :D
UA - the wine menu indicated 2 choices of white wines, but only one actually available. Champagne only available as a welcome drink!
Food:
OZ - Good availability of choices and food tasted great and fresh. Plenty of snacks and hot soups and noodles are available upon request.
UA - One would be asked to provide first choice & 2nd choice (in case the first choice runs out!). Steak was dry and a bit bland. Limited snacks and no hot soups or noodles between meals.

Amenities:
OZ - Good entertainment system with wide choices, noise-cancelling headphone. Usable toiletry kit. Good quality slippers and eye shades. Clean pillow, blanket.
US - Good entertainment system with wide choices, noise-cancelling headphone.Cheap looking toiletry kit. Cheap socks & eye shades. I asked for a second set of blanket as the first one seemed staled, but I ended up using neither!

Amenities:
OZ - Good entertainment system with wide choices, noise-cancelling headphone.

This won't apply to OP's flight, as OP would be on a non-AVOD plane, with limited choices and programs run in a loop.

Does it get warm on the second level of the OZ 747?

Does it get warm on the second level of the OZ 747?I can't say I ever noticed any difference between the upper and lower deck in terms of cabin temperature.

Does it get warm on the second level of the OZ 747?I can't say I ever noticed any difference between the upper and lower deck in terms of cabin temperature.
Ok. Thanks. I thought I read a bunch of people complaining about the heat up there. One even mentioned it was like a sauna.

Ok. Thanks. I thought I read a bunch of people complaining about the heat up there. One even mentioned it was like a sauna.Most of the complaints I've seen regarding temperature (on JL, NH, OZ etc) applied to the whole cabin - I can't remember the complaint being directed specifically to the upper deck. I doubt they set the temperature differently between the upper and lower deck, so unless there's some inherent design flaw, the temperatures should be the same.

Most of the complaints I've seen regarding temperature (on JL, NH, OZ etc) applied to the whole cabin - I can't remember the complaint being directed specifically to the upper deck. I doubt they set the temperature differently between the upper and lower deck, so unless there's some inherent design flaw, the temperatures should be the same.
Thx! I just located the thread about the cabin temps. It was in the Korean Air forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/korean-air-skypass/1302329-cabin-temps-icn-check-times.html

The OP complained that OZ is a bit warmer than KE, and another thought the upper deck A380 (which OZ doesn't have yet, I believe) was a be a bit warmer than the lower deck.

how many ACs have been refitted with the new C class? I'm looking to fly OZ in June ICN-LAX and still debating whether to do NH with a stop at NRT or do OZ n/s.

how many ACs have been refitted with the new C class? I'm looking to fly OZ in June ICN-LAX and still debating whether to do NH with a stop at NRT or do OZ n/s.
The evening flight has the quadra smartium in the 777.
Which *A miles are you using? Just curious.

Sorry to change the subject but it is related.
Osaka-SFO in UA F non stop vs. Asiana Osaka-ICN-SFO business
Which one would you prefer
I am not impressed with UA Business service but have not flown UA First

how many ACs have been refitted with the new C class? I'm looking to fly OZ in June ICN-LAX and still debating whether to do NH with a stop at NRT or do OZ n/s.

4 QS 777.

I would go for NH C if it is available, as there are more mid-flight snack choices and better dessert.

Can anyone touch in the C product on intra-asia flights on the 767's?

I have a connecting from UA C SFO-ICN to OZ C ICN-HKT and don't know what to expect.

Thank you.

Hi, I have booked a C from ICN to SFO. From seatguru looks like an old configuration 777-200. Is this likely to be the case. I have been wanting to try Asiana business for a while.

Hi, I have booked a C from ICN to SFO. From seatguru looks like an old configuration 777-200. Is this likely to be the case. I have been wanting to try Asiana business for a while.

Do NOT trust whatever seatguru said when it come to non-US airlines period !

Seatguru only has one config of OZ 777, whereas OZ actually has 4 different versions of 777. (1 QS, 2 non-QS, 1 3-class 777)

When it comes to seatmap, the airline's own website is the best bet

http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/pop/about/company/fleets/en_b777-2er.jsp

You will get new C seats (QS) for ICN-SFO at about 98%. (As it can have a slight chance for last minute swap)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/1164955-quadra-smartium-business-lie-flat-routes-consolidated.html

Asiana every time

Do NOT trust whatever seatguru said when it come to non-US airlines period !

Seatguru only has one config of OZ 777, whereas OZ actually has 4 different versions of 777. (1 QS, 2 non-QS, 1 3-class 777)

When it comes to seatmap, the airline's own website is the best bet

http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/pop/about/company/fleets/en_b777-2er.jsp

You will get new C seats (QS) for ICN-SFO at about 98%. (As it can have a slight chance for last minute swap)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/1164955-quadra-smartium-business-lie-flat-routes-consolidated.html

Thank you, ORDnHKG. This exactly the insight I was hoping for. I had heard rumors that seatguru was
Not keeping up. Good news, but a shame about Sguru.

Hopefully a meeting Germany will fall through and i will be on my way to SFO from ICN on OZ C, which is my booking ( The conciliation if Germany does take me that way is an LH F on the A380 home). Not on OZ between ICN and FRA unfortunately, which would be the best of all worlds.

Can anyone touch in the C product on intra-asia flights on the 767's?

I have a connecting from UA C SFO-ICN to OZ C ICN-HKT and don't know what to expect.



The same seats as non-QS B747's (i.e. comfortable lie-flat seats). I believe all 767's have AVOD.

I have an upcoming J redemption LHR-ICN-SYD in a few weeks (my first time on Asiana) and it looks like they'll be the non-Quadra Smartium seats and the entertainment will be on a loop and not AVOD. Presumably there is the ability to keep a well stocked iPad charged during the flight?

I have an upcoming J redemption LHR-ICN-SYD in a few weeks (my first time on Asiana) and it looks like they'll be the non-Quadra Smartium seats and the entertainment will be on a loop and not AVOD. Presumably there is the ability to keep a well stocked iPad charged during the flight?

Search this forum... There were reports, that QS aircraft are operating on the SYD route quite regularly (I was never lucky, though). I have not been on non-AVOD aircraft since 2010.

Having recently completed a South East Asia trip with connections via OZ outbound LAX-ICN and UA inbound ICN-SFO, I would not hesitate to go out of my way to get the OZ flights in Business and politely decline the UA's! :D

Services:
OZ - Very attentive & courteous. FA's frequently make the rounds to top up drinks or attend to everyone's needs.
UA - just barely efficient and somewhat on the brisk/curt side. FA's rarely seen after meal services.
Seat:
OZ - 747-400 lie-flat but not 100% horizontal -- clean/fresh wide seat but not as comfortable as UA's
UA - 747-400 (new configuration) lie-flat 100% horizonal -- comfortable but a bit narrow and not as clean/fresh as OZ's
Beverage:
OZ - good selections of quality wines & decent Champagne. I was drinking mostly Champagne during the flight! :D
UA - the wine menu indicated 2 choices of white wines, but only one actually available. Champagne only available as a welcome drink!
Food:
OZ - Good availability of choices and food tasted great and fresh. Plenty of snacks and hot soups and noodles are available upon request.
UA - One would be asked to provide first choice & 2nd choice (in case the first choice runs out!). Steak was dry and a bit bland. Limited snacks and no hot soups or noodles between meals.

Amenities:
OZ - Good entertainment system with wide choices, noise-cancelling headphone. Usable toiletry kit. Good quality slippers and eye shades. Clean pillow, blanket.
US - Good entertainment system with wide choices, noise-cancelling headphone.Cheap looking toiletry kit. Cheap socks & eye shades. I asked for a second set of blanket as the first one seemed staled, but I ended up using neither!
Great info, thx a bunch. Flying Asia-Pac with family over the summer and switched from OZ old C to UA new C (lie flat) to Asia and stayed with OZ old C from SYD-ICN. Hoping I made the right call. Will also be flying NH from HND-LAX, but sadly it's not the lie flat product either. Have heard some unflattering remarks regarding NH's evening service.