Korean Air Skypass - Nice Korean Air Experience for a UA-1K

I always travel on UA or Star Alliance flights. This time, only the Korean Air fit into my schedule. Bum! So, I guess I have to get used to the no status, infamous service of Korean Air. However, this flight has changed my view. I took the HKG-ICN flight several days ago. The GA were very nice and accomodating. I asked for my favourite seat and the GA was willing to work it out for me, even making the same request on my return flight. The plane interior of the 744 Combo was very comfortable. The middle 4 seats were being segregated into two 2 seaters so the middle seater would at least has its own seat rest. The FAs were very good, to my surprise. On flight, the FAs were trying to change seat for customers so that each can has his own space in between. Nice work. Foods are decent. The plane gets out of the gate on time. A nice surprising experience.

I go to NRT or ICN quite often for work. For LAX-ICN I used to do LAX-NRT-ICN on AA & JL until one day I happened to book a JL codeshare on KE metal.

As a first time flyer on Skyteam I was expecting absolutely nothing special, but I somehow ended up getting upgraded to J class for some reason. Everything was very clean, with great FAs w/service, great catering for a barely over 2 hr flight... Since then I fly LAX-ICN nonstop on KE.

It's good to see that people are recognizing KE's good service. nonetheless, I always try to avoid KE due to the simple fact that their loyalty program is aweful. There is no incentive (with an exception of basic elite priority services) for not only high revenue premium customers nor frequent fliers who flies more than 100K a year. Same goes for OZ, but I can credit miles to UA.

Nonetheless, when I have to fly a skyteam airline, I credit my miles to KE program since I can combine miles in my immediate family to redeem an award. I think that's the only perk of KE's loyalty program.

My most recent KE flight was domestic flight TAE-ICN... simple service with just drinks and about 10~15 minute at the cruising altitude... :D It's been a while since I last flew KE on international flight but several friends of mines who are FAs with KE suggested that their international service is quite good.

There is no incentive (with an exception of basic elite priority services) for not only high revenue premium customers nor frequent fliers who flies more than 100K a year........Instead, KE gives you a lifetime Skyteam Elite Plus after 500k BIS miles. But I see your point.

........since I can combine miles in my immediate family to redeem an award. I think that's the only perk of KE's loyalty program. I wish AA does the same thing. Only 2 other airlines as I know let you share miles with family members,(OZ and JL) but JL's mileage expires only in two years or so.

If I must pick something on KE, 1)some of their lowest fares do not let you earn miles, andalso not upgradable. 2)their web, although has been improved lately, still is far from usable like AA's. And 3)they maintain their plane's inside temperature so high,(could be just me) but then again I should probably consider losing weight someday. :D