Korean air's New First Class
May 8, 2015, 2:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Korean air's New First Class
Was browsing online and came across KE's blog (unfortunately, all in korean) and they unveiled their new first class seat on their latest 777-300ER. Offers more privacy with higher partitions than the current kosmo suites, bigger PTV, and a sliding door.
http://blog.koreanair.com/742
Wonder what routes will get this first? I'm guessing LAX and JFK?
http://blog.koreanair.com/742
Wonder what routes will get this first? I'm guessing LAX and JFK?
May 9, 2015, 3:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LGA/JFK
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Posts: 500
Thanks for the link.
A few of the points made in Korean:
The seat upright will still have a width of 24 inches but when it is in flat-bed mode, the armrests are designed to meet the flat-bed giving it approximately another 7.8 inches (around 20 cm) more width in flat-bed mode. The suite will also have individual closets.
Also, the remote for the IFE will be modeled on a smartphone and will feature 24 inch screens.
It also has information on the new Prestige Suites that we have covered in another thread.
Moving forward, KE will be installing these on the new generation B748, new generation B789 and the B773ER and A333.
Why they are leaving out their flagship A388 is beyond me. Having the new Kosmo Suite and the Prestige Suite would have them on par with the current seats of some of the world's best airlines like SQ and EK.
Now that the hard product is getting an upgrade, KE really needs to work on improving the soft product. I think their amenity kits could be better and there is so much more they can do with the lounges.
A few of the points made in Korean:
The seat upright will still have a width of 24 inches but when it is in flat-bed mode, the armrests are designed to meet the flat-bed giving it approximately another 7.8 inches (around 20 cm) more width in flat-bed mode. The suite will also have individual closets.
Also, the remote for the IFE will be modeled on a smartphone and will feature 24 inch screens.
It also has information on the new Prestige Suites that we have covered in another thread.
Moving forward, KE will be installing these on the new generation B748, new generation B789 and the B773ER and A333.
Why they are leaving out their flagship A388 is beyond me. Having the new Kosmo Suite and the Prestige Suite would have them on par with the current seats of some of the world's best airlines like SQ and EK.
Now that the hard product is getting an upgrade, KE really needs to work on improving the soft product. I think their amenity kits could be better and there is so much more they can do with the lounges.
May 9, 2015, 3:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LGA/JFK
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May 14, 2015, 12:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,005
It appears that KE already got delivered one 77W with newest product end of last month. It's HL8010, coded as 77I. KE website didn't update seat map yet. The fleet is running on FRA on selected days and some regional routes.
According to the newest document for investors, KE delivery schedule is update at the last page:
https://www.koreanair.com/content/da...2;적.pdf
KE will deliver 6 77W including the one already delivered. Plan to add 2 more 333, and 1 was already added in March. Also planned are 4 748I, 4 737 (for Jin Air), 1 748F.
Therefore at the end of this year, newest product will be available on 6 77W, 6 333 (3 from last year), and 4 748I. Sliding door F won't be added on 333, though.
According to the newest document for investors, KE delivery schedule is update at the last page:
https://www.koreanair.com/content/da...2;적.pdf
KE will deliver 6 77W including the one already delivered. Plan to add 2 more 333, and 1 was already added in March. Also planned are 4 748I, 4 737 (for Jin Air), 1 748F.
Therefore at the end of this year, newest product will be available on 6 77W, 6 333 (3 from last year), and 4 748I. Sliding door F won't be added on 333, though.
May 15, 2015, 11:27 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: LGA/JFK
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It appears that KE already got delivered one 77W with newest product end of last month. It's HL8010, coded as 77I. KE website didn't update seat map yet. The fleet is running on FRA on selected days and some regional routes.
According to the newest document for investors, KE delivery schedule is update at the last page:
https://www.koreanair.com/content/da...2;적.pdf
KE will deliver 6 77W including the one already delivered. Plan to add 2 more 333, and 1 was already added in March. Also planned are 4 748I, 4 737 (for Jin Air), 1 748F.
Therefore at the end of this year, newest product will be available on 6 77W, 6 333 (3 from last year), and 4 748I. Sliding door F won't be added on 333, though.
According to the newest document for investors, KE delivery schedule is update at the last page:
https://www.koreanair.com/content/da...2;적.pdf
KE will deliver 6 77W including the one already delivered. Plan to add 2 more 333, and 1 was already added in March. Also planned are 4 748I, 4 737 (for Jin Air), 1 748F.
Therefore at the end of this year, newest product will be available on 6 77W, 6 333 (3 from last year), and 4 748I. Sliding door F won't be added on 333, though.
The KE blog post states that the new F should be installed in A333:
대한항공은 향후 도입될 차세대 B747-8i, 차세대 B787-9 및 B777-300ER, A330-300 기종에 이 좌석들을 장착해 운영할 계회이다.
Translation: Korean Air Lines is planning to install and operate these seats in the future on the next generation B747-8i, the next generation B787-9 and B777-300ER, A330-300 models.
May 15, 2015, 4:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,005
I thought they were adding the sliding door F to the 333. I looked through the 1Q report and the info on the planes only had delivery dates but no additional information on the seats.
The KE blog post states that the new F should be installed in A333:
대한항공은 향후 도입될 차세대 B747-8i, 차세대 B787-9 및 B777-300ER, A330-300 기종에 이 좌석들을 장착해 운영할 계회이다.
Translation: Korean Air Lines is planning to install and operate these seats in the future on the next generation B747-8i, the next generation B787-9 and B777-300ER, A330-300 models.
The KE blog post states that the new F should be installed in A333:
대한항공은 향후 도입될 차세대 B747-8i, 차세대 B787-9 및 B777-300ER, A330-300 기종에 이 좌석들을 장착해 운영할 계회이다.
Translation: Korean Air Lines is planning to install and operate these seats in the future on the next generation B747-8i, the next generation B787-9 and B777-300ER, A330-300 models.
https://www.koreanair.com/content/ko...0-seat-map-272
J is superior but F isn't, on A333.
May 18, 2015, 1:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Those new 4 A333 does have new F but not the sliding door one. All seats have aisle access just like its new J seating. For this fleet, KE updated seat map:
https://www.koreanair.com/content/ko...0-seat-map-272
J is superior but F isn't, on A333.
https://www.koreanair.com/content/ko...0-seat-map-272
J is superior but F isn't, on A333.
May 18, 2015, 4:54 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,005
Yeah, I'm aware that the A333 currently has the same J suite but given KE's latest blog post, KE must be replacing the J-style F seat with the new Kosmo F suite with doors. If they do this, I guess they must have plans to shift these aircraft to ultra long-haul routes to the US and Europe.
May 22, 2015, 2:30 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,005
77W with the newest product will be used for FRA (June~Oct), ORD (Sep, Oct), and SFO (Oct). Winter schedules & configurations seem not updated yet.
I checked seatmaps on delta.com, and the configuration for newest 77W will have 14 less C seats! 8F56C227Y to 8F42C227Y. It shows very generous 2-2-2 for business class, same as 748i. I honestly don't understand how KE makes money (if they do) with such a few seats, especially with very generous F/C award availability.
I checked seatmaps on delta.com, and the configuration for newest 77W will have 14 less C seats! 8F56C227Y to 8F42C227Y. It shows very generous 2-2-2 for business class, same as 748i. I honestly don't understand how KE makes money (if they do) with such a few seats, especially with very generous F/C award availability.
Jun 10, 2015, 11:41 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 153
I flew the a380 and b777 first class and I loved it. I don't think adding a sliding door would be that much of a step up, because the current one feels private enough already. Maybe for the "wow" factor but no significant increase otherwise.
That being said, the seat in KE F has always felt so so to me. The bedding and duvet is REALLY nice, but not the seat itself. The soft product however is excellent. Loved the cheese cart and the davi amenities. So as long as the new first class retains those (and I can't imagine why it wouldn't) I think it'll still be a solid first class product.
One thing to note is that, in the picture it seems like the seat was really wide. I wonder if they're really going to attempt 1-2-1 with that much width, or maybe my perception is off.
That being said, the seat in KE F has always felt so so to me. The bedding and duvet is REALLY nice, but not the seat itself. The soft product however is excellent. Loved the cheese cart and the davi amenities. So as long as the new first class retains those (and I can't imagine why it wouldn't) I think it'll still be a solid first class product.
One thing to note is that, in the picture it seems like the seat was really wide. I wonder if they're really going to attempt 1-2-1 with that much width, or maybe my perception is off.
Aug 14, 2015, 11:39 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Posts: 351
I'm looking to fly back from ICN to either SFO or LAX in mid-November.
The schedule shows 772ER on the SFO route, is it still possible that the aircraft gets changed to the 773ER with the new suites or is it set in stone? Looks like if I fly to JFK, the schedule shows the 773ER but will that be an upgraded plane?
The schedule shows 772ER on the SFO route, is it still possible that the aircraft gets changed to the 773ER with the new suites or is it set in stone? Looks like if I fly to JFK, the schedule shows the 773ER but will that be an upgraded plane?