This is what happened to me couple of weeks ago.


I frequently fly JFK/ICN route for business.
When I asked "Priority boading" for Skyteam Elite members on KE086 Jan 26,
Korean Air agents were not allowed me to have prioirty boarding.
I have both Continnetal Onepass silver and Korean Air Morning Calm
which are eligible for Skyteam Elite benefits. I was little bit embarased since I was refused. They cleary mentioned that priority boarding is allowed for
Skyteam Elite Plus members (Continental Onepass Platinum or
Korean Air Morning Calm premium or Million miler)


When I got back from Korea, I searched over the internet,
Korean Air, Continental and Skteam. All 3 websites clearly mentioned that
Skyteam Elite members are eligible for priority boarding. This information made me upset again and I sent complaint e-mail to Korean Air.
I've got a call from one Korean Air manager at JFK 2 days ago,
he explained that they used to run this at JFK but they had so many issues
with this and they've decided to not to accept priority boading for
Skyteam Elite members. He also told me that they will hold internal meetings
soon and they will decide whether they will resume this serive at JFK or not.
Overall he was trying to explain reasons and unfortunately I am not still
happy with Korean Air. I think Korean Air should follow "Skyteam rules", priority boarding for Skyteam elite members, too as agreed by all Skyteam partners.


So far I have collocted 300K of Korean Air Skypass miles,
but I need to another 200K for Morning Calm Premium which is eligible for
Skyteam Elite Plus (Such as Onepass Platinum). This will probably takes forever FYI, there are no elite bonus miles from Korean Air unless you
fly with business / fisrt class. It is faster for me to achieve Onepass Platinum, if I stick to Onepass from now on. Since Continental joined Skyteam alliance, I was wondering whether I need to collect miles for Continental Onepass or Korean Air Skypass.


I used to fly with Continental & I was so happy with their services a lot. Such as generous elite bomus miles, ist class upgrade, priority boarding, priority check in and priority security check and etc. I also like Continental's business strategy, "Work hard, Fly right"!!!
Korean Air does not offer that kinds of rich benefits to Skyteam Elite members, only priority check in, lounge acess (4 times for 2 years) and additional allowance for baggages, that's it!!! Most of my colleagues who fly to Korea frequently were not happy with Korean Air, either.


I am not so sure whether the Korean Air manager will keep me posted what will happen from the meeting. I will fry same route with Korean Air in a month, I will see whether they will resume "priority boarding" for Skyteam Elite members or not.


Hope Continental launches EWR/ICN route someday...
I guess this will not happen soon since Continnetal already added Beijing route in 2005.