Part 1 Asiana Airlines OZ 201 A380 J Class LAX - ICN
Part 2 Asiana Airlines OZ 741 Boeing 777 J Class ICN - BKK
Part 3 Thai Air Asia A320 Y Class DMK - PEN
Part 4 Air Asia A320 Y Class PEN - SIN
Part 5 Asiana Airlines OZ 752 J Class A330 - 300 SIN - ICN
Part 6 Asiana Airlines OZ 202 A380 J Class ICN - LAX
Part 1 LAX -> ICN
After waiting and planning for little over a year, the time had finally arrived for our big Asia trip to Bangkok, Penang, Singapore, and Korea. My mom had been counting down the days for almost 3 months now just itching for her long planned vacation to arrive. There would be three of us for this trip. Myself, my dad and my mom.
The deal was that I would pay for the J class tickets and my parents would pay for the hotel and the Air Asia flights. After a year of researching, booking and planning, the time had finally arrived to start off the trip. As we do for most of our trips, we parked our car at the Van Nuys Fly Away terminal and took the bus to the airport. We originally planned to get to the airport and checkin three hours before departure so we could leisurely explore the new Tom Bradley International Terminal and the new Star Alliance Lounge but between us leaving the house later than planned and the massive traffic on the 405 freeway, we arrived at the airport later than originally planed.
Checkin was quick and easy. We used the business class line and there was only one person ahead of us. Security went fairly quickly as well. The TSA agent that was heading our documents looked like he really need some coffee and some sleep.
P1000928 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1000930 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Once we were through security, we headed directly to the Star Alliance Lounge. We had about a hour to spend in the lounge before boarding time.
P1000937 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1000941 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Breakfast items at main food buffet area.
P1000938 by
seat38a, on Flickr
My breakfast washed down with a glass of champagne.
P1000939 by
seat38a, on Flickr
On the far corner, there is also a noodle soup bar area, which seemed to be very popular among the people in the lounge today. The noodle bar was never empty so I was not able to take a picture. Here is the self serve soda, liquor and wine area.
P1000965 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Mojito was the bars specialty drink. I ordered two. One for myself and one for my dad.
P1000972 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Around 15 min before boarding time, the Asiana Airlines agent in the lounge made an announcement that boarding would commence soon and she also walked around the lounge with a sign letting people know that the flight would be boarding. She also mentioned that there was no rush and we could take our time. Just as we were about to leave, the breakfast items were being cleared out and replaced with lunch items. We did a quick sample taste of some of the lunch items before heading to our gate.
P1000975 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1000977 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Our A380 that will be taking us to ICN today.
P1000978 by
seat38a, on Flickr
KE A380 at the gate next to ours.
P1000980 by
seat38a, on Flickr
While waiting to board, I looked around the terminal and snapped some pictures. The new Tom Bradley Terminal is definitely in the same league as ICN, BKK, or SIN. A complete opposite of the shameful thing they used to call an international terminal.
P1000997 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1000984 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Our flight today is also codeshare flight for Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Copa Airlines.
P1000998 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1000996 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1000995 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Escalator to second level boarding gate.
P1000999 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010006 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Flight attendant greeting and helping passengers board.
P1010008 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010009 by
seat38a, on Flickr
My seat. I swapped seats with my parents and took the window seat.
P1010013 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Touchscreen entertainment system and pillow and blankets.
P1010011 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010030 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Touchscreen remote and seat recline controls.
P1010033 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Business Class View
P1010031 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Pre departure drink.
P1010035 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Amenity kits were also passed out while at the gate.
P1010036 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010037 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Amenity kit content
P1010095 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Bottled water were also passed out as well
P1010038 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Menu's were also passed out on the ground.
P1010047 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Pushback from gate.
P1010043 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Lots of legroom!
P1010056 by
seat38a, on Flickr
We're cleared for takeoff!
P1010058 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Once airborne and at 10,000 ft, flight attendants immediately jumped into action. Curtains were drawn for the galley and also the divider between business class and coach. Soon, flight attendants came around taking lunch orders. I chose the western option for lunch while, my mom went with the Korean and my dad western as well.
Hot towel to start lunch.
P1010098 by
seat38a, on Flickr
After the lunch and drink order, another flight attendant came around placing table cloths on the tray tables.
P1010103 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Then, trolley with lunch settings were brought out and the flight attendants placed each plate and dishes on the table cloth including the glasswares for the beverage that was ordered with lunch. NO preset trays.
Asiana Airlines Business Class A380 by
seat38a, on Flickr
I ordered champagne to go with my steak today.
Asiana Airlines A380 Business Class by
seat38a, on Flickr
Bread Basket.
P1010114 by
seat38a, on Flickr
I chose the garlic bread.
P1010115 by
seat38a, on Flickr
All metal cutlery.
P1010117 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Canape to start
Asiana Business Class Lunch Canape by
seat38a, on Flickr
Appetizer
P1010122 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Soup course.
Asiana Airlines Business Class Soup Course by
seat38a, on Flickr
My main course.
Asiana Business Class Steak by
seat38a, on Flickr
Steak is perfectly cooked and tasted great!
Asiana Airlines Fillet Steak by
seat38a, on Flickr
My mom's Korean option
Asiana Business Class Lunch Ssambap by
seat38a, on Flickr
Cheese and port wine
Asiana Airlines Business Class Cheese Course by
seat38a, on Flickr
Untitled by
seat38a, on Flickr
Dessert and coffee.
Asiana Business Class Lunch Dessert by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010140 by
seat38a, on Flickr
After I finished and everything was cleared away, a final hot towel service to end the lunch service. At this point, its been 2.5 hours since we left LAX.
P1010142 by
seat38a, on Flickr
I was starting to get tired so I reclined my seat to flat mode and took a nap while listening to music on the entertainment system. Other than country, the selections were extensive.
At around 5PM LAX time, I got up and could not sleep anymore. I decided to go checkout the lounge area at the front of the upper deck. My mom joined me up at the lounge and couple min later, my dad showed up. He must have woken up and asked the FA where we were, since one of the FA's escorted him to the lounge area.
P1010143 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010146 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Stairs down to first class
P1010148 by
seat38a, on Flickr
After about 20 min of hanging around the lounge, we decided to head back to our seats and order snacks. My mom decided to go with the ramen noodles, my dad a fruit plate and I chose the sandwich and chips.
P1010151 by
seat38a, on Flickr
The turkey and cheese were first heated and then the veggies added. NOT just plopped on a plate after unwrapping.
Asiana Airlines Business Class Snack by
seat38a, on Flickr
Once we were finished with our snacks, it was about the half way point on our flight. FA's came through the cabin and asked any passengers that were awake if they would like to order snacks. Snacks can be ordered anytime but it seems to be policy to go through the cabin around the half way point and take orders from awake passengers. Also, about an hour after snack order, FA's came through the cabin taking pre arrival meal orders. I chose the chicken option and the FA informed me that it would be served 2 hours prior to arrival.
I could not sleep anymore at this point since I was not tired, so I browsed through the wine / cocktail menu and ordered a screwdriver. It was delivered with a small dish of nut and snack mix.
Asiana Business Class A380 LAX - ICN by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010155 by
seat38a, on Flickr
None of the drinks helped me fall asleep. So I browsed through the entertainment system watching movies, short subjects and listening to music. Before I knew it, it was already time for the pre arrival meal service. Lights came on slowly and in stages and an announcement was made.
Hot towels service to start the second meal.
P1010162 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Orange juice from pre filled tray.
P1010163 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Again table cloths were placed on my tray table.
P1010166 by
seat38a, on Flickr
P1010167 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Bread basket came around and this time I chose a seeded roll.
P1010169 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Shrimp appetizer
P1010173 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Chicken main course. Really good!
P1010175 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Fruit tart for dessert.
P1010178 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Another coffee and tea service
P1010180 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Once my tray table was cleared, service ended with a final hot towel service. At this point, I started to get ready for landing.
Spoilers are up.
P1010184 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Approaching ICN
P1010188 by
seat38a, on Flickr
Taxiing to the terminal
P1010190 by
seat38a, on Flickr
KE half of the main terminal
P1010199 by
seat38a, on Flickr
OZ half of the main terminal
P1010203 by
seat38a, on Flickr
We arrived on time. My mom was worried a bit since our connecting flight time is only an hour but the timing was perfect. In conclusion, the flight was flawless. One thing that stood out about the A380 was how QUIET it was. Even when powering up for takeoff, the noise difference was couple decibels. The meal was perfect and the FA's were courteous and ready to please with a smile. Also, the FA's were also proactive when walking through the cabin such as turning on reading lights for passengers that were reading, shutting them off if they were sleeping. While I was watching a movie, one of the FA's also stopped by to ask if I wanted anything to drink. When the call buttons were pressed, in less than a second, they are down the aisle walking to your seat with a smile.