There was no check-in line at the First counters, so I was attended to promptly.
2014-05-08 07.17.32 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
As I prefer sitting on the left hand side, I had asked if it was possible to switch to Seat 2A. "Sorry, the cabin is full" today according to the agent. Oh well.
2014-05-08 08.00.20 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
My bag was tagged all the way to YYZ (though I knew I would have to reclaim them at JFK.) One small detail different this time around was my bags weren't wrapped in a plastic bag like they were on my last flight in OZ F.
I was also presented with a gift, a "Lucky Dollar Book" with 10 crisp $1 bills neatly presented in a book. You could tear out each note like a notepad, which I thought was pretty cool. Handy for giving tips (but not quite enough to make it rain in Vegas I reckon
)
2014-05-08 08.01.32 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The agent offered to escort me through security, which was welcome given how long the lines were today. I was taken to the front of the crew line, and the agent bid me farewell at that point. Security and immigration were quick, and I was airside in no time. Ten minutes total from starting check-in to being airside is really fantastic.
One gripe I have with immigration on departure is how they stamp your boarding pass, but the stamp smears everywhere afterwards (all over my Russian visa.)
2014-05-08 07.29.11 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
After grabbing some cosmetics for my mother, it was time to visit the lounge.
2014-05-08 07.57.01 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Asiana Airlines First Class Lounge
2014-05-08 07.58.15 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
First impressions are that it's similar to the business class lounge I reviewed here: (
link) The salient difference is that the seating is more sparse, and that there are far fewer passengers here.
2014-05-08 08.05.39 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
I settled for a seat in the "library corners":
2014-05-08 08.09.06 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Some of the seating areas elsewhere. They looked cosy enough. Not as nice as the chairs in the SQ TPR or LH FCT though.
2014-05-08 08.17.43 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-08 08.19.16 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
I wonder how often this grand piano is actually used:
2014-05-08 08.19.30 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The lounge buffet selection was simple and basic. There were more fresh fruit options in the F lounge, but the offerings with the J lounge were almost identical.
2014-05-08 08.20.15 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
First plates with yoghurt, fruit and rice crackers, washed down with a cappuccino.
2014-05-08 08.24.34 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Then abalone porridge with smoked salmon slices (the abalone was missing in the porridge though.)
2014-05-08 08.09.37 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
No wait for the shower this time. Notably, the toiletries in the F lounge were a lot nicer than the ones in the J lounge (L'Occitane vs. Dove)
2014-05-08 08.42.35 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-08 08.42.42 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The lounge was empty for the most part.
2014-05-08 09.08.48 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
About 40 minutes before boarding, I decided to leave the lounge and walk around the airport a bit more. The dragon caught me on my way out, informing that it wasn't quite time yet, and that I'd have an escort to the gate. I politely declined and said I just wanted to stretch my legs, to which she wished me a pleasant and safe journey to New York.
In conclusion, the OZ F lounge was really nothing special. I was more excited walking around ICN and plane spotting/shopping than just sitting around here. It was very similar to the J lounge in many respects. Similar to NH, the lounge offering by OZ is mediocre compared to some of the truly top airlines (SQ for instance) but the in-flight product is supposedly up there. At least OZ does offer a series of escorts which were quite useful.