Asiana Club - OZ ICN->SYD: travel time from city, check in times, baggage, etc

Howdy... new to OZ forum, I normally troll UA and *A ;-)

Flying OZ 601, ICN->SYD on tuesday evening, 8:20pm departure. We have a business meeting that afternoon, I'm trying to figure out how close I can realistically shave the arrival time at the airport.

Questions:

Is arriving at 7:00 for an 8:20 flight cutting it too close? Flying in C, so I assume there is some type of priority checkin (also a *A gold if that matters?). Is there a kiosk for international travel that doesn't require baggage check?

Baggage: I have a "standard" US size carryon: 45 linear inches. Does OZ (and ICN security if relevant) allow bags this size through? If not, how does that change the necessary arrival time per above?


I'm told that from the city (COEX area) it's a solid hour to get to the airport. Does this hold true during the evening rush, and if not, any suggestions on how much buffer I need to leave?

any suggestions would be most helpful.

It really depends when your meeting finishes and what time you will get onto a airport limo bus. If your business meeting is near COEX, then you can check in at city air terminal.

Yes you can use designated *G check-in counter at ICN. There's a self-check-in kiosk thingy at the airport as well.

For your luggage, as long as it does not exceed 115 cm (length+width+height), then it is fine.

No way you can make it by an hour from COEX to the airport during rush hour. Make it 1.5 to be on the safe side. If I were you, I will give 2 hours for a bus ride during rush-hour.

You can always take subway to Gimpo Airport and then change to AREX (train from GMP to ICN).

From the COEX area to the airport is a good hour during non-rush hour. During rush hour figure at least 30 minutes more, but one hour more if you want to play it safe.

Carryons are subject to weight restrictions. There's somebody checking all the carryons at the entrance to the security/immigration area. Any bags that look like they might be over the limit, they will weigh on the spot and will not allow you entry if it's overweight. I forgot offhand what the limit is, but it's not much. This is nothing to do with the airline, but an Incheon airport restriction.

If you're flying in business class, there shouldn't be much of a line. The max I've ever waited in the business line was maybe 10 minutes, if even that. There is a separate *G line, but normally that will take you longer than the business line, though check first. I'm not sure if they have a separate line for those without any checked baggage or not, but it would be mainly intended for Y passengers if it did exist, so I wouldn't bother with that unless you can easily spot it and if it's relatively empty.

Regarding arrival time, 7:00 is more than enough time for an 8:20 flight. Checkin, security check/immigration, getting to your gate I would say should only be about 30 minutes, and possibly much shorter if there's no lines and the gate is close to immigration.

Leaving earlier (like around 5PM) will save you time on the road, but checkin/security/immigration will likely be more crowded at the respective earlier arrival time. Leaving later you'll hit more traffic but there will be much less people at the airport and less waiting there.

When flying out of ICN, I normally leave from a point roughly equivalent to the distance COEX is from the airport. As a rule of thumb, I shoot for departing four hours before my flight. It's never failed me regardless of how busy the airport/traffic is. I often get delayed by meetings/etc. and my four-hour rule turns into three hours. I've never missed a flight either when leaving only three hours prior, though I did once make in only by a matter of a few seconds due to horrendous traffic just prior to a major holiday. I much prefer to leave four hours though so have some leisure time at the airport to get a shower at the lounge and relax a bit. I hate rushing to the airport and then rushing to my plane, sweating a bit in the process, and then to be put in the middle of all my fellow passengers in that condition.

Howdy... new to OZ forum, I normally troll UA and *A ;-).

Welcome to the OZ forum, ljwobker!

Is arriving at 7:00 for an 8:20 flight cutting it too close? Flying in C, so I assume there is some type of priority checkin (also a *A gold if that matters?). Is there a kiosk for international travel that doesn't require baggage check?.

Yes, 1900 is a perfectly fine time to arrive. And yes, there is *G check-in available and lines are short.

Baggage: I have a "standard" US size carryon: 45 linear inches. Does OZ (and ICN security if relevant) allow bags this size through? If not, how does that change the necessary arrival time per above?.

Should be fine but even if not, the arrival time is still okay.

I'm told that from the city (COEX area) it's a solid hour to get to the airport. Does this hold true during the evening rush, and if not, any suggestions on how much buffer I need to leave?

any suggestions would be most helpful.

Minimum 60 minutes. You will be in peak time so this can easily be double that. I personally would not leave any later than 1730.

Doesn't checking in at COEX also give the option to pre-clear immigration? If so, OP could use that to save a little bit of time at the airport. (But note that you have to go to a special passport control line to gain the benefit. I used this a few years ago, but I don't know if it is still available. (I also lost the benefit by getting in the wrong line. :()

WRT travel time from the city to ICN, I agree with others; I would allow 1.5 hours minimum, 2 hours is better. Under the best of conditions, it will take at least 1 hour.

Doesn't checking in at COEX also give the option to pre-clear immigration? If so, OP could use that to save a little bit of time at the airport. (But note that you have to go to a special passport control line to gain the benefit. I used this a few years ago, but I don't know if it is still available. (I also lost the benefit by getting in the wrong line. :()

WRT travel time from the city to ICN, I agree with others; I would allow 1.5 hours minimum, 2 hours is better. Under the best of conditions, it will take at least 1 hour.

it is.
You can check in as well. They require 3 hours before departure, however.
In rush hour, I'd go with 3 hours to be safe. Did it a month ago to SYD with OZ and even the 3 hours wasn't over the top .