Kiwi Flyer

Korean Air
Business Class menu
Seoul Incheon to Auckland
December 2014

Wine List

Wine

Champagne

Perrier Jouet Grand Brut

White Wines

Australia, Tyrell's Moon Mountain Chardonnay 2011
New Zealand, Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Red Wines

California, Sebastiani Sonoma County Merlot 2010
Australia, Haselgrove Catkin Shiraz 2012

Cocktails and Aperitifs

Kir / Kir Royale / Campari
Tio Pepe Dry Sherry / Dry Vermouth
Founders Reserve Porto, Sandeman
Martini / Tom Collins / Whisky Sour
Bloody Mary / Screwdriver / Gin & Tonic
Chivas Regal 18 Years Rare Old
Johnnie Walker Gold
Glenfiddich 15 Years Malt Whisky
Jack Daniel's / Absolut Vodka
Beefeater Gin / Bacardi Rum

Brandy and Liqueurs

Cointreau / Creme de Menthe
Creme de Cassis / Bailey's Irish Cream
Remy Martin Cognac XO

Selected Beers of the World


Dinner

Pre-Drink Service

Plum in pomegranate vinegar

Appetizer

Feta cheese with sliced fig and parma ham

Soup

Lentil cream soup
(offered with western main course)

Main Course

Korean "Bibimbap" offered with minced beef and seasonal vegetables, accompanied by sesame oil and "Gochujang" (Korean hot pepper paste)

Chicken curry with rice served with side dishes

Grilled beef steak with herb cream sauce served with parmesan potatoes, mushroom and mixed vegetables

Dongporou stytle steamed pork belly served with egg fried rice and Chinese vegetable

Cheese Tray

Comte, chaumes, saint andre

Dessert

Ice cream or black tea cake

Bread Selection

Walnut soft roll, mini baguette, steamed Chinese bao

Coffee / Tea / Green Tea


Refreshment

Ramen with Side Dishes

Fresh Cookie

Pizza Margarita

Onigiri

Snack


Breakfast

Yoghurt Selection

Main Course

Korean style beef bone soup served with side dishes

Vegetable sweet potato frittata served with grilled tomato, roasted pork sausage, mushroom and broccoli

Seasonal Fresh Fruit

Bread Selection

Zucchini bread, croissant, cinnamon Danish
Selection of jam and butter

Continental Breakfast

Yoghurt selection

Seasonal fresh fruit

Bread selection

Coffee / Tea / Green Tea

Kiwi Flyer

There is some Christmas festivities in the lounge at the moment so please bear with me for the delay in posting the next part of this report.

Kiwi Flyer

Apologies for a further delay. I had planned posting some more during this transit, but internet is too flakey.

Kiwi Flyer

Ahh the perils of relying on public computers to post updates while in airports. The lounges for the last 5 airports had no computers and known in advance (x2), computers which didn't like FT and blocked most pages (x2), and no computers where my research on airline & alliance webpages had said there were computers.

So now I am a week and over 40,000 miles flown behind in posting. Fortunately I have some time before my next flight, followed by another long transit and more time available after that. I should get fully up to date within the next day or two.

Kiwi Flyer

Auckland to Guangzhou on China Southern B787-800 in business (AKL-CAN C)

I'd left just over 24 hours in between international flights to provide a buffer for irrops given a misconnect would likely lead to a delay of a day (with not many feasible reroutes available at the best of times let alone in a busy travel period when flights are generally fuller). So the next morning I was headed back to the airport. It was a nice morning, albeit a little humid, and I woke a little early, so I opted to walk the 3 miles or so from the hotel to the terminal instead of taking the shuttle bus or a taxi.

Although I have previously flown with China Southern for about 100,000 miles in both first class and business class, it has been almost a year since my previous flights. I was curious as to how much (if any) improvement there had been in the soft product in this time, for my previous experiences flying on China Southern had been that the hard product in premium cabins is great but soft product rather lacking and indicating a lack of appreciation of what makes a good or bad service.

Kiwi Flyer

I timed my walk perfectly, arriving just as a light shower of rain started (the walk had no cover except for the last 50 metres) and also just as check in opened. I was quickly checked in but only handed a single boarding pass. No matter, I knew from previous trips the next boarding pass would be printed ready for me and waiting at transfer immigration in Guangzhou (as indeed it was). They had run out of lounge invite cards, which normally the Air NZ lounge staff insist on being provided in order to enter when flying with a contract airline (i.e. non-Star Alliance). I hoped this wouldn't be an issue.

One oddity was I was asked for my home address, supposedly being a US requirement for my onward flight. I refused. In all my travels to USA (several times a year), I've never been asked this. It seems the check in agent may have been new and mis-interpreting the API question of nationality for home address. Fortunately a supervisor sided with me.

Immigration (smartgate for me) and security were busier than normal, but the queues moved fairly quickly. The lounge bouncer looked up my name on a list, and I was allowed in. I grabbed a shower to freshen up and then caught up on some work before the flight was called for boarding. I had selected a seat in the second business cabin some months ago as it seemed to be less full than the first business cabin. There was one other passenger in this cabin, and amazingly they had selected or been given the seat right next to me. As I had boarded last I swapped to another row so we could both have some space.

I don't think there have been many trip reports of China Southern flights so if I haven't explained something you want info on, please just ask. I've flown CZ's 787 and A380 in both first and business class.

The seats are forward facing in 2-2-2 layout, but very spacious. In fact probably the most spacious business class seat I've flown (out of several dozens of airlines and configurations/seat styles). There is great width and length to the seat. The seat reclines to a fully flat bed, joining up with the ottoman. The seat is very comfy in upright, reclined and fully flat modes. There is, however, no privacy. On 787 there are two cabins each with two rows. The first cabin tends to be fuller than the second cabin. However a disadvantage of the second cabin is a stream of economy class passengers traipsing through the cabin to & from using the business class toilets - because the cabin crew generally do not enforce the "rule" of only using the lavatory in the cabin you are seated. This traffic soon gets annoying.

At the seat/ottoman at the time of boarding are noise cancelling headphones in a case (watch out - these are sometimes switched off), slippers and a basic amenity kit (no socks but has the usual eye shades, various goops, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste). Before take-off a flight attendant will come by with a menu and take your order for mains for all meals, and then take the menu back. It seems they do not carry very many menus.

Along with usual pre-departure announcements, CZ also announces the option to buy an onboard upgrade - credit card only. There is usually one or two takers in my experience, both for economy to business and business to first.

Pre-departure beverages are orange juice, another juice that varies (apple juice from AKL, but I've also come across pineapple juice and tomato juice on other flights), or water. No alcoholic beverage offered in business class.

First class is much the same as above, but seats are bigger in 1-2-1 layout, only 4 seats for 787. Also champagne available for pre-departure drink and there is some nuts too.

Kiwi Flyer

Boarding was completed on time. However, the mid morning period is a busy one for international departures and so it was 30 minutes after scheduled departure before we'd made the short distance to the runway.

After takeoff the crew dimmed all the windows centrally and a post departure drink and nuts were offered before breakfast was served. Food on CZ is okay without being stunning. Beverages on the other hand are low quality. E.g. cheap wines and champagnes from unheard of wineries, cheap spirits, non-alcoholic beverages are almost always a Chinese brand. One unusual aspect is that first class menus (and beverages) are the same as business class, with very minor differences (such as an extra main option for lunch or dinner meals).

Service is variable. While some attendants are quite good (moreso on this trip than on my previous trips, an obvious and notable improvement), others provide poor service that would not be expected or acceptable in a premium cabin on other airlines.

IFE is okay but not the best. The screens are good and provide touchscreen option to supplement the handset. There are very few new releases (maybe 4 or 5 Hollywood/western movies) but lots more older (say 3-10 years old) movies and shows.

As I noted above, the seat is very comfortable so I managed a few hours sleep which I very much needed.

The schedules contain a lot of padding, perhaps to allow for the vagaries of air traffic control delays in Chinese airspace and at Chinese airports. Even with our slow departure and with lots of looping around the mountains of southeastern China we still landed 40 minutes early.

Kiwi Flyer

China Southern
Business Class menu
Auckland to Guangzhou
December 2014


Main Meal

Hors d'oeuvre

Carpaccio of Beef with Marinated Asparagus, Melba Toast and Frache with Blue Cheese and Walnuts Cream

Soup

Sweet Potato with Lemon Grass Soup

Entree

Please choose one of the following

Venison Tagine with Dates and Apricot Accompanied by Seasonal Vegetables and Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Kung Po Chicken with Kung Pao Sauce, Pak Choy with Ginger and Steamed Jasmine Rice

Orange Roughy with Ginger and Spring Onion, Seasonal Vegetables and Steamed Jasmine Rice

Cheese

Cheddar, Brie, Port Nicholson, Awa Blue Cheese

Dessert

Please choose one of the following

Opera Cake

Kapiti Ice Cream

Fresh Fruit in Season

Bread

Choice of Fresh Baked Bread with Butter


Breakfast

Prelude

Fresh Fruits in Season, Choice of Cereals or Yoghurt

Entree

Please choose one of the following

Spinach and Cheese Omelette, Grilled Sausage Chicken, Sauteed Mushroom and Potato Roesti

Papardelle Pasta with Sauteed Chicken, Sauteed Vegetables and Cheese Paramsen Shreded [sic]

Beef Noodle Soup

Rice Congee with Classic Cantonese Dim Sum

Bread

Assorted Breakfast Rolls with Butter, Fruit Jam


Snacks

Sandwich Selection

Pork and Shrimp Wonton


Bar

Chocolate Selection

Seasonal Fruit Basket

Cheese Platter



Note for daytime flight Breakfast is served first then Main Meal (printed menu serves both overnight and daytime flights).

Kiwi Flyer

Guangzhou transit

As is often the case with the flights from Auckland, we had a long taxi around the terminal complex and parked up at a domestic gate. In the middle of the airbridge we are directed down the stairs to waiting bus (for economy passengers) and minivan (for first and business class passengers - today numbering just 5) to be taken to international terminal. The drive lasts about 5 minutes. Once inside the international terminal each premium passenger (or group for those travelling together) is met by an airline staff member to escort them to immigration or international transfer.

International transfer at Guangzhou is simple. If you don't already have a boarding pass is printed ready for you to collect. A simple check of passport. The boarding pass is stamped (but not the passport). Then up one level to the lounge. There is no transit security screening.

If you have a long connection (over 8 hours) on CZ-CZ itinerary there is also an option of a free hotel room plus transport to and from the hotel.

The CZ lounge is okay without being stunning. First and business class passengers are directed upstairs while Sky Team elite can use the nicer downstairs lounge. The main eating area is also downstairs, although there are also snacks (no hot food) in each of the lounge sections. The usual lounge amenities of bathroom, showers, computers, magazines and newspapers. Also some sleeper rooms and meeting rooms.

This transit was a bit unusual. Due to being Christmas Eve there were some festivities in the lounge. A couple of santa clauses and elves went around handing out big piles of candy and encouraging people to go downstairs to the dining room. There was bubbles and wine for adults. The airline CEO did a short speech and then some gifts were handed out to randomly drawn people in the lounge. I think there was also a special menu in the dining room - at least it appeared different to the normal offerings.

Kiwi Flyer

Guangzhou to Los Angeles on China Southern A380-800 in business (CAN-LAX C)

The lounge staff came by to let me know the flight was boarding, a little earlier than I expected. The gate area was a zoo with adjacent gates both boarding A380 aircraft at the same time, and a relatively small area for the queuing passengers. At the time I reached the gate the premium boarding lane was empty so I strolled straight on through.

While boarding was completed on time there was a 30 minute delay in pushing back. Luckily the IFE is available from boarding.

Business class on China Southern's A380 is upstairs in 1-2-1 staggered layout. (First class is downstairs in 1-2-1 fully enclosed suites.) I detest the staggered business seats, for they do not work well for tall or fat passengers, and I am both.

This layout squeezes in more lie flat seats into a given space than nearly any other layout (BA's 2-4-2 mix of forward and reverse facing seats are even more squished). While it gives a largeish bench area to the side of the seat, to me this does not compensate for the cramped, hemmed in feeling, nor for the difficulty and/or discomfort in using the tray table. On some airlines with staggered seats I can use the tray table, but on CZ this doesn't work and I'm forced to use the bench area for food. This means eating on an awkward angle, and with a high risk of spillage.

This flight is one of the longest trans-pacific flights, at least to/from the west coast of North America. However, with an evening arrival time and a few days to follow in California, I didn't want to be too awake at the end of the flight. I think I got the balance about right with about 5 or 6 hours sleep, enough to catch up on my sleep deficit while still being a little tired on arrival.

The first meal was a dinner. Breakfast was served about 3 hours before landing, which is a bit too early if you actually wanted a long sleep.

We landed 20 minutes early and had a very short taxi to our gate at Tom Bradley terminal, that was close to the middle of the terminal and therefore a short walk to immigration.

Immigration was reasonably quick despite taking the foreigner line because I failed to spot ESTA travellers could use kiosks (as I had on a previous trip to JFK). I think this type of kiosks are fairly new for LAX TBIT terminal - I don't recall seeing them on my previous visit. Customs was also quick, so that I was landside only a few minutes after scheduled arrival time.

Kiwi Flyer

China Southern
Business Class menu
Guangzhou to Los Angeles
December 2014


Main Meal

Hors d'ouevre

Roasted Chicken Breast, Smoked Salmon with Caper

Soup

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Stewed Chicken Soup with Red Date and Dried Longan

Hand Made Beef Ball Clear Soup

Entree

Please choose one of the following

Grilled Lamb Chop with Balsamic Gravy, Deep-fried Potato Wedge, Carrot Baton, Cauliflower and Spinach

Stir Fried Fish Cake and Cuttlefish in Bean Sauce with Sugar Snap Pea, Red Capsicum Julienne and Steamed Rice

Steamed Scallop and Konjac with Roasted Goose, Seasonal Vegetable, Steamed Rice

Hot Pot Rice with Preserved Meat

Cheese

Cheddar cheese, Camembert Cheese, Emmental Cheese, Blue Cheese

Dessert

Green Tea Mousse

Ice Cream

Fresh Fruit in Season

Bread

Choice of Fresh Baked Bread with Butter


Roasted Sole Fish with Yellow Pepper Sauce, Potato Turned, Pumpkin and Sugar Snap Pea, Low Calorie choice, Welcome to choose


Breakfast

Prelude

Fresh Fruits in Season, Choice of Cereals or Yoghurt

Entree

Scrambled Egg and Ham with Hash Brown, Chicken Sausage, Broccoli, Mushroom

Congee with Shiitake and Chicken, Spring Roll Sheet, Chopped Spring Onion and Peanut, Steamed Golden Shrimp Dumpling, Barbeque Pork Puff, Preserved Sausage Roll, Pan Fried Taro Cake

China Southern Deluxe Beef Noodle Soup Ensemble

Bread

Assorted Breakfast Rolls with Butter and Fruit Preserve


Snacks

Sandwiches

Ho Fun with Cuttlefish Ball, Shrimp Mousse and Cuttlefish Mousse Sliced


Bar

Chocolate Selection

Seasonal Fruit Basket

Cheese Platter

Kiwi Flyer

Boarding has been called so it will be 12 hours or so before the next instalment, featuring another airline I haven't flown previously.

Blackcloud

Happy New Year Kiwi Flyer
Thanks for the trip report as a present and I only wish the next airline was one of the ones I have encouraged you over the years....only because I would never travel them!

Kiwi Flyer

Happy New Year Blackcloud

You'll have to keep reading to see.

Kiwi Flyer

I had meant to post some more yesterday.

At the end of that flight I was about to board, I had been in planes and airports for 5 days and decided to buy a new ticket on an earlier flight rather than spending yet more hours in an airport lounge waiting for my booked flight.

So instead of posting I was flying my first flight of 2015.