Originally Posted by
GagaPilot
You need to remember here that DL does not have any "First Class" on international routes. They have "business class" which equates to Delta One on DL operated flights and Prestige Class on KE operated flights. If you want true F, you need to purchase via KE directly and fly on a KE marketed/operated ticket on a route and aircraft that KE offers F. Purchasing a ticket on DL7851 is really just buying a J ticket on delta, which equates to Prestige on Korean.
I agree that to someone not well-versed in the specifics of what each airline offers, this can be misleading. But it's unfortunately correct.
No this is not the case at all. Delta can and does offer "First" as an upgrade over "Prestige" on these KE-operated flights.
Clicking that gives "Refundable First (F)" that books into FOWEB fare basis:
It books into true KE First, for the same price as KE First on KE's own website. The limitations I mentioned above are purely due to KE's stance on marketing carriers / codeshares. I'm of the opinion that Delta shouldn't offer FOWEB given those restrictions, or if they do offer it, it should have the same service level as the KE-booked FOW fare. Since Delta lacks a true First, their information is quite limited about the product, but it takes a real KE scholar to decipher the restrictions on ground services due to the codeshare.