Asiana Club - Where do you rank Asiana F vs other Asian carriers?

I'm considering a stopover in Seoul on a journey to south Asia. The price on this routing in F isn't that bad on Asiana, to the point where I'm a bit worried. I've not flown Asiana before.

Could anyone offer their views of the quality of Asiana's F service in comparison to F on other Asian-based carriers?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Asiana has one of the best F service IMHO. May I ask what route your flying?

OZ Y/C/F is excellent unless you get the one old 747 still flying around (but even then it is good).

Biggest grief is the mediocre IFE but you can't go wrong with OZ F. Make sure you pre-order the Korean food.

There's still one 747 flying out there with the old F seating, tiny video screen, and looping movies. It flies mostly intra-Asia but is occasionally subbed in on long-haul, especially LAX-ICN. If you fly that aircraft then the analysis below does not apply.

Food: Reports/complaints of cutbacks but still IMHO very good. Up there with most of the best carriers. IIRC caviar is only ex-US, but special order meals are available ex-ICN (Korean, Chinese).

Service: Outstanding, though note that English proficiency is limited. This sometimes leads to confusion, though I don't fault them heavily here. Taking my order a FA was clearly reading off the Korean side, speaking in English, and pointing on the English side at the wrong place. Another FA couldn't understand my desire for coffee before my meal. It's a Korean airline, I speak English. Other carriers handle this better than OZ, but I don't complain too much.
AVOD: Pretty good.

Seat: Much improved over the old 2x2 lie-flat. The new seat isn't a true suite, but it's pretty good. I wouldn't call it true lay flat, more like 98% flat, there's a bit of a kink towards the top. Also the bottom footrest/ottoman area is too narrow. But it's a pretty decent seat.

Amenities: Bvlgari. They forgot to distribute PJs on my last flight until I asked about 'em. Perfectly fine for in-flight but they shrank about 50% when washed! OZ does give a nice gift on deplaning, which is a lovely touch and helps set them apart.

I'd definitely rate OZ F above TG F. I would say SQ F is better. I'll try the new CX F for the first time shortly, but from what I've seen it's definitely better. I'd give NH F a bit of a nod, but not hugely so.

Definitely better than most non-Asian carriers e.g. certainly better than UA F, LH F, AA F, and I for one would take them over the old LX F (haven't flown the new F).

I can't comment about flying OZ in F because I haven't had the opportunity yet. I will though say that having taken lots and lots of OZ flights in C that the flight attendants do an absolutely terrific job and are frequently better in C than any F cabin crew I've ever experienced. For me that is the point where OZ really shines. Their sometimes limited English skills as Gleff mentioned does often present itself, though never a real problem for me. When comparing all airline's FAs, OZ FAs seem to me to have the most genuine attitude about wanting to do whatever they can to make the customer comfortable and happy. Of course as with any airline the crew isn't always the same and so experiences will vary from one flight to another. On average though I place OZ's flight crew at the top of the list.

I do have lots of experience with the OZ F lounge at ICN and would say it's not bad, though certainly not great and does fall short compared to the best F lounges in the world. I would though say for how I use it, it's better than just about any C lounge around.

Could anyone offer their views of the quality of Asiana's F service in comparison to F on other Asian-based carriers?

Appreciate any thoughts.

I think you should go to trip report section to read some of the report there to see if that is your flavoring.

As mentioned from other posters, OZ F probably better than TG F, maybe the same as NH F (though NH F has a better and wider seat), but fall short or SQ F, as SQ F on 77W still better with the seat and the food (I just love SQ F still has lobster thermidor on the shell whereas OZ F has downgraded to pieces).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/972297-asiana-oz-icn-lax-first-class-july-2009-a.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/922134-asiana-oz-f-ord-hkg-twist-intra-asia-ua-f-nh-c-lots-pics.html

I have yet to take my first flight on Asiana, but for what it's worth (and a lot of people don't give this site much credence), they are one of only six 5 star rate airlines by SkyTrax - http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/5star.htm

I have yet to take my first flight on Asiana, but for what it's worth (and a lot of people don't give this site much credence), they are one of only six 5 star rate airlines by SkyTrax - http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/5star.htm

I think one did not consider OZ has a small long haul fleet compare to other carriers. Whenever there is a route with 3 class service, it has to consider 1 in 6 chance it may be the old 74M. Skytrax did not pay close attention to all the details regarding the fleet at all, they only rate it as general.

If one fly in the old 74M, you would definately rate it as 2 star, no matter what class you are flying. It is a rare occasion, but it does happens. THe last time the plane was used on long haul was last thursday 9/24 on LAX, many dates this month also use it on SYD.

Thanks for all of your posts. I decided to go with Asiana for this journey and give it a try. I was able to book 2-for-1 F tickets via Amex Platinum; all segments were available, which was great.

I end up with a layover in Seoul from 530am until 6pm same day. I've been to many Asian cities, but never Seoul - so part two of my question now becomes...what should I do with 12 hours in Seoul? I'd definitely like to go into the city. I'll be in transit on a weekday. Thoughts or ideas for the stopover?

Thoughts or ideas for the stopover?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/997781-free-asiana-transit-tour.html

I'm considering a stopover in Seoul on a journey to south Asia. The price on this routing in F isn't that bad on Asiana, to the point where I'm a bit worried. I've not flown Asiana before.

Could anyone offer their views of the quality of Asiana's F service in comparison to F on other Asian-based carriers?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Asiana is a 5-star airline and the carrier truly deserves this rank. If I had to compare them to other leading Asian carriers, I'd say OZ is slightly behind SQ and MH but above CX, JL, and NH.

Asiana is a 5-star airline and the carrier truly deserves this rank. If I had to compare them to other leading Asian carriers, I'd say OZ is slightly behind SQ and MH but above CX, JL, and NH.

OZ is not 'above' CX and NH.

CX offers a real suite product in F.

The NH seat is better for sleeping, and the food is a notch better as well. I do prefer OZ's branded amenities (though NH it's take as much as you wish :p ) and their departure gift...

OZ is not 'above' CX and NH.

CX offers a real suite product in F.

The NH seat is better for sleeping, and the food is a notch better as well. I do prefer OZ's branded amenities (though NH it's take as much as you wish :p ) and their departure gift...

^+1.

Even I have never flew CX in F, I can see the photos they have a much better seat than OZ, wider and more privacy. I have done OZ F and NH F, the NH F seats wins hands down, no comparison at all.

The upside for OZ F is the real bvlgari amenity kit, PJ, and thank you gift. Unlike NH PJ cannot be taken, stuff your own kit from the basket. NH and CX F also does not come with any fragrance in their kit.

^+1.

Even I have never flew CX in F, I can see the photos they have a much better seat than OZ, wider and more privacy. I have done OZ F and NH F, the NH F seats wins hands down, no comparison at all.

The upside for OZ F is the real bvlgari amenity kit, PJ, and thank you gift. Unlike NH PJ cannot be taken, stuff your own kit from the basket. NH and CX F also does not come with any fragrance in their kit.

So the advice is that OZ F is great when you are a man but that one should stay away if you are a woman?

Having the upper hand because of the ingredients of the amenity kit is really a fine margin and OZ would need to be careful not to slip further.

So the advice is that OZ F is great when you are a man but that one should stay away if you are a woman?

Having the upper hand because of the ingredients of the amenity kit is really a fine margin and OZ would need to be careful not to slip further.

LOL. I think since then OZ had been changed to just one kit, the more neutral Bvlgari white tea from the trip report I read. No more Bvlgari BLV pour homme or pour femme anymore as they can't supply both. (the pour femme bag is actually a lot nicer than the pour femme bag)

Having a nice amenity kit do appeal to many people like SQ. Airlines are keep complaining about pax just leave the kit behind when they get off the plane, but they didn't think about the ultimate reason why they do it, answer: their stuff in their kits are cheap ! No one ever leave their kits on SQ, and not many people sell SQ kits in ebay.

Oh btw, just for your information, OZ used to use Bvlgari green tea before they change to Bvlgari BLV. Green tea is also neutral like the white tea, at that time, there was no separate fragrance bottle come with it.

No fragrance in OZ F kit three weeks ago LAX-ICN. In fact, no Bulgari this time, kit came with Biotherm products.

ICN-LAX F kit in May was Bulgari, but I don't recall any fragrance.

Asiana is a 5-star airline and the carrier truly deserves this rank. If I had to compare them to other leading Asian carriers, I'd say OZ is slightly behind SQ and MH but above CX, JL, and NH.
CX is definitely the best in F (suite) among the bunch. Maybe even better than SQ, haven't tried them yet....

No fragrance in OZ F kit three weeks ago LAX-ICN. In fact, no Bulgari this time, kit came with Biotherm products.

ICN-LAX F kit in May was Bulgari, but I don't recall any fragrance.

If it is Biotherm, it is a C kit, not F kit. Looks like they still have inconsistent issue. I would have asked where is the Bvlgari kit just to see what the FA tells you.

Is your Bvlgari in May white tea or BLV ? If it is white tea, maybe you didn't pay attention it is inside a small box, the fragrance is a mini pour on bottle, downgraded from the spray when they use BLV.

I only had the opportunity to fly Y on Asiana (except for that one flight where I flew business a long time ago GMP-PUS) but I'll second everyone here. They're excellent.

The crew's limited English ability I would fault the Korean education system much more than Asiana. Yes, Korea teaches English starting first grade, but their learning is ENTIRELY reading and writing-based (i.e. HIGHLY ineffective). By the time they get around to actually learning conversation, sometime in college, it's too late. Not to mention the English teachers in Korea lack the fluency in English to teach the entire class in English. It's unbelievable. Every French teacher/professor I had here was able to teach the entire class in French. Whether they did or not is a different question, but they were able to.

The crew's limited English ability I would fault the Korean education system much more than Asiana. Yes, Korea teaches English starting first grade, but their learning is ENTIRELY reading and writing-based (i.e. HIGHLY ineffective). By the time they get around to actually learning conversation, sometime in college, it's too late. Not to mention the English teachers in Korea lack the fluency in English to teach the entire class in Englis.

That is a poor excuse, Hong Kong is the same way, not much english speaking in school unless the school hire a teacher from UK, N.America, or Australia. There are also many parents hire foreign english tutors for their children in order to gain english speaking skills. I can't see there are any cantonese speaking CX FA or UA HKG base FA has a problem to speak english compare with OZ.

NH FA's had improved a lot thru the years to speak english from almost none like OZ to able to carry a long conversation, so why can't OZ FA do the same ?

That is a poor excuse, Hong Kong is the same way, not much english speaking in school unless the school hire a teacher from UK, N.America, or Australia. There are also many parents hire foreign english tutors for their children in order to gain english speaking skills. I can't see there are any cantonese speaking CX FA or UA HKG base FA has a problem to speak english compare with OZ.

NH FA's had improved a lot thru the years to speak english from almost none like OZ to able to carry a long conversation, so why can't OZ FA do the same ?

English is an official language at HK. I'm not saying it's a good excuse, or that it's forgivable. I'm saying we shouldn't place the entire blame on Asiana. OZ is also a 20 year old company, it has a long ways to go. And I have no doubt they'll improve.

But yes, their limited English ability is a big blemish on the company. They represent the company, they should be able to speak flawless English.

CX is definitely the best in F (suite) among the bunch. Maybe even better than SQ, haven't tried them yet....

Please don't make such subjective comments when you haven't tried the SQ A380 Suites, which are way better than CX's latest fake suites, though not as nice as EK's latest suites. To clarify, compared to EK and SQ, and even Jet Airways and Turkish Airlines' suites, CX's are not true suites because for instance, they do not have doors.

I think Asiana is a great airline for service on board. What is difficult for me is having to spend 12 hrs in Seoul when I come from SE Asia through to the USA. There is an optional city tour (take a long time to get into the city!) or you get a hotel room until your check in. Either way, I'd rather have a through flight and not get stuck in transit for so long.

I think Asiana is a great airline for service on board. What is difficult for me is having to spend 12 hrs in Seoul when I come from SE Asia through to the USA. There is an optional city tour (take a long time to get into the city!) or you get a hotel room until your check in. Either way, I'd rather have a through flight and not get stuck in transit for so long.

Indeed, OZ is not really great with connections. I think this is a function of size. Because it is such a small airline it only has a limited number of flights which then can't be used well to connect.

Geez...I believe almost exact same topic has been debated in this forum by almost same particpants every 3 months...:D

Geez...I believe almost exact same topic has been debated in this forum by almost same particpants every 3 months...:D

No, something like this would never happen on FT. Ever. Trust me. ;)

Asiana is a 5-star airline and the carrier truly deserves this rank. If I had to compare them to other leading Asian carriers, I'd say OZ is slightly behind SQ and MH but above CX, JL, and NH.

Are you kidding?:confused:
Based on what? A very bold statement with no detail.
The seat is wider and more private on CX, JL (new suite), AND NH.
The food is better with the Japanese carriers, no contest at all.
Even the newest OZ seat is narrow and has a very small foot well.
I have done all of these carriers in F and the service on OZ is not so over the top that you can say that they outdo these others, service-wise.

Alright... which is better JFK-ICN in F... Asian or Korean? :) :D

Alright... which is better JFK-ICN in F... Asian or Korean? :) :D
NH via NRT. ;)

I personally really like Asiana and the airline has definitely tried to be better these days. Their F/As are personable and tried their best. Communication is always a slight problem on both Korean and Japanese airlines. However smiles sometimes are more than enough and a simple point to the menu will be fine.

I flew CX, OZ, SQ, NH, JL, CI, MH F... I will say I rank OZ as my personal third. My top is SQ followed by CX... OZ is my third favorite in the Asian region. The new seats are definitely nice and the food is always excellent. The amenity kit is nice. Yes, they recycle their menus but my request for a fresh one is always met with a smile. Their ground service in LAX is excellent especially the escort service to the lounge.

NH is also nice, but I know some of you don't care... but I think a proper premium cabin needs to provide a proper amenity kit (not amenity basket) and should not reused their pajamas, no matter how you clean it. If I am spending $8000+ for a RT F ticket, I think NH can afford to give each passenger a fresh set of pajama and a nice amenity kit. That really bothers me for some reasons.

About JFK to ICN, KE offers their latest first class suite on the daytime JFK to ICN (and return flights), and OZ offers the new first class suites too. KE offers two daily departures, while OZ offers one daily departure. NH is fine going through ICN, but seems to cut back many of the ICN-NRT flights or reduce to an one-class A320 or on OZ operated code-shared flight. So you might end up in OZ anyway!

Carfield

NH is also nice, but I know some of you don't care... but I think a proper premium cabin needs to provide a proper amenity kit (not amenity basket) and should not reused their pajamas, no matter how you clean it. If I am spending $8000+ for a RT F ticket, I think NH can afford to give each passenger a fresh set of pajama and a nice amenity kit. That really bothers me for some reasons.


Agree completely, and this, combined with the decline in food quality is why I have stopped flying NH F in favor of OZ.

SQ is still the best in my book. Followed closely by LX F from N.A. to SE Asia via ZRH.

My wife and I flew Asiana F last year and thought it was actually quite bad. Posted about this and wound up in a ridiculous flame war on FT that I think has been deleted.

In our opinion, food was horrible with 2 bad choices. You have to know in advance to order Korean forrd or you're SOL. C actually gets more choices than F. Service was horrible. Seats were OK, but not as good as OZ or new UA F. Personally, I'd prefer almost anyone else in F and even some in C.

Personal quirk...I also really like having an air vent over my seat and would lean toward airlines that furnish them.

My wife and I flew Asiana F last year and thought it was actually quite bad. Posted about this and wound up in a ridiculous flame war on FT that I think has been deleted.

In our opinion, food was horrible with 2 bad choices. You have to know in advance to order Korean forrd or you're SOL. C actually gets more choices than F. Service was horrible. Seats were OK, but not as good as OZ or new UA F. Personally, I'd prefer almost anyone else in F and even some in C.



Asiana is OZ.

Sorry, still in mourning over Rockies game today here in Denver. Meant SQ, not OZ.

Are you kidding?:confused:
Based on what? A very bold statement with no detail.
The seat is wider and more private on CX, JL (new suite), AND NH.
The food is better with the Japanese carriers, no contest at all.
Even the newest OZ seat is narrow and has a very small foot well.
I have done all of these carriers in F and the service on OZ is not so over the top that you can say that they outdo these others, service-wise.

Based on my own experiences (at least 200 flights on these carriers). Yes, OZ's F seats aren't impressive, but the service provided by the cabin crews is excellent and consistent, unlike those of CX, JL, and NH. I don't say that OZ service is over the top, but rather, I can confirm it with the help of millions of passengers who have been voting for OZ and not CX, JL, and NH. I take it you are not familiar with the World Airline Awards... pity.

Thanx for clarifying. Go Philly, shhh, who said that?

Asiana has top-notch Japanese speakers. Seriously, they sound just as good as any Japanese person speaking Japanese. :p

I can confirm it with the help of millions of passengers who have been voting for OZ and not CX, JL, and NH. I take it you are not familiar with the World Airline Awards... pity.

Doubtful million pax vote for OZ because they had flown OZ in F.

Consider there are only 3 longhaul routes has F with OZ, (should say 2.5 as ORD is not daily) and many times in F especially for ORD are virtually empty, compare to the number destinations CX, JL, and NH offer F. On top of it CX, JL, and NH has new F in all routes, unlike OZ still use the old bird occasionally for long haul. How would one rate OZ if they have flown that old bird ?

That's why those voting cannot always be completely trusted.

If you have a change of mind and don't want to tour the city during the layover then go upstairs and see if they'll comp you a free hotel room. The long layover is a pita, but sleeping it off at the hotel after an all night flight is refreshing as I don't sleep well on planes. Request a free wake-up call. The hotel entrance is just 200ft or so from the Asiana lounge desk. There is a sleeping room and shower area in the first class lounge, but haven't used it so cannot comment about it.

[There is a sleeping room and shower area in the first class lounge, but haven't used it so cannot comment about it.[/QUOTE]

The sleeping room is a small room with a LAZY BOY type recliner. Not perfect for sleeping but better than trying to doze off on a sofa in the lounge. I did also have a shower but do not reacall any special details.
Will be going through again in January..

Doubtful million pax vote for OZ because they had flown OZ in F.

Consider there are only 3 longhaul routes has F with OZ, (should say 2.5 as ORD is not daily) and many times in F especially for ORD are virtually empty, compare to the number destinations CX, JL, and NH offer F. On top of it CX, JL, and NH has new F in all routes, unlike OZ still use the old bird occasionally for long haul. How would one rate OZ if they have flown that old bird ?

That's why those voting cannot always be completely trusted.

No ORDnHKG, what I meant was that millions of passengers each year vote for Asiana's cabin crews over those of any Japanese carrier. By now, OZ has won the World's Best Cabin Staff title a few times.

Yes, indeed OZ offers F on very few routes, though I'd say is definitely more than 2.5 since you are not taking into account intra-Asia routes that get assigned 744s, then again, you did say long-haul. :)

Completely concur with your question. A while ago, my FRA-ICN had a last-minute equipment change and I ended up with the non-reconfigured bird, which made the flight extremely uncomfortable... I'd never forget the bad smell the aircraft had even when the gracious crew kept the toilets spotless.

Yes, indeed OZ offers F on very few routes, though I'd say is definitely more than 2.5 since you are not taking into account intra-Asia routes that get assigned 744s, then again, you did say long-haul. :)



Well intra asia basically only HKG, some NRT flights and some PVG flights, on top of it, these flights especially HKG and NRT when it has F they are served by the old F. Those pax flew in these routes definately wouldn't vote any 5 class rating. Service is for sure 5, but the seat is 1.

The sleeping room is a small room with a LAZY BOY type recliner. Not perfect for sleeping but better than trying to doze off on a sofa in the lounge. I did also have a shower but do not reacall any special details.
Will be going through again in January..

What lounge are you talking about ?

OZ F lounge at ICN Main Concourse actually has a row of massage chairs kind of hidden on the left side when you go into the lounge near the toilets also, one doesn't need to sleep in a sofa in the lounge.

OZ F lounge at ICN Concourse A has several massage chairs also in individual rooms next to the bathroom. They were really comfortable I actually sleep in that chair set up the machine for full 30 min massage.

As for showers in the F lounge, there are already plenty of threads discuss about between my experience and A_Lee, pretty much cover everything, just do a search and you will know about. But in general, this OZ F shower cannot compare to other F lounge showers at all, very general.

I was talking about the OZ F lounge but do NOT know which one I was in. It did have recliner/massage chairs in individual room, so based on your post, I guess I was talking about OZ F loung at ICN Concourse A.






What lounge are you talking about ?

OZ F lounge at ICN Main Concourse actually has a row of massage chairs kind of hidden on the left side when you go into the lounge near the toilets also, one doesn't need to sleep in a sofa in the lounge.

OZ F lounge at ICN Concourse A has several massage chairs also in individual rooms next to the bathroom. They were really comfortable I actually sleep in that chair set up the machine for full 30 min massage.

As for showers in the F lounge, there are already plenty of threads discuss about between my experience and A_Lee, pretty much cover everything, just do a search and you will know about. But in general, this OZ F shower cannot compare to other F lounge showers at all, very general.