Nov 16, 2012, 11:10 am
Last edit by: Stez
i Preface
This wikipost (and thread) exist because BA introduced a new route in Dec. 2012 from London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 5 (T5) to Incheon International Airport (ICN), Seoul, Korea. This wikipost links to the latest, most relevant information we have collected for FTers flying or considering this route. The extensive nature of the thread is due to 80 FTers having taken up the special fare conditions during the first month.
Currently there is a glitch and the wikipost can only be edited by a moderator or ambassador - to update this thread, please send a PM to a moderator or ambassador. This wikipost can be edited by anyone, and therefore is superior to a traditional 'first post' as anyone can post new, corrected or updated information and link to that post in this wikipost thereby ensuring no single person has to maintain the first post and that information is always up to date. The suggested procedure is to go to the existing linked post and quote that post (if correcting or updating information) and then make the corrections / updates and remove the [QUOTE] tags. Then come back to this wikipost and link to the post you have just made. For new information, simply post the new information and link to it here. Please check that the information you post is indeed new or correct before posting. Thanks, we hope you find this thread of use and interest.
How to Edit this Wikipost Guide
If you have any issues please contact a moderator for assistance.
Currently there is a glitch and the wikipost can only be edited by a moderator or ambassador - to update this thread, please send a PM to a moderator or ambassador. This wikipost can be edited by anyone, and therefore is superior to a traditional 'first post' as anyone can post new, corrected or updated information and link to that post in this wikipost thereby ensuring no single person has to maintain the first post and that information is always up to date. The suggested procedure is to go to the existing linked post and quote that post (if correcting or updating information) and then make the corrections / updates and remove the [QUOTE] tags. Then come back to this wikipost and link to the post you have just made. For new information, simply post the new information and link to it here. Please check that the information you post is indeed new or correct before posting. Thanks, we hope you find this thread of use and interest.
How to Edit this Wikipost Guide
If you have any issues please contact a moderator for assistance.
Date our next group is underway:
Our first few groups have now made their way across to Seoul, hopefully after enjoying some of this on the flight:
(admittedly not Dom but you get the idea)
ii Contents
01 The original post along with the fare conditions during the sale
02 The 80 FTers that are "launching this route"
03 The lounge and Enroute DO's in Dec 2012
04 The Dates People are Meeting in Seoul
05 The Route Details (aircraft type, cabins fitted, timings)
06 Information for those not familiar with BA or Heathrow
07 Making of an FT legend 80 fliers little bit of crazy whole lot of Seoul Trip Report
08 Publicity of this event
09 Returning to the UK (ICN airport info)
10 Hotels FTers have chosen and recommendations
11Things to do in Seoul
12 An Example itinerary for the overnighters
13 Food / Drink in Seoul
14 Transport while in Seoul
15 Weather
16 Links to FT Trip Reports and other sources of info
17 Language
18 Cultural Points
19 Money Matters (VAT, TIps, Cash or Card, ATMs)
20 Shopping
21 Health / Insurance
22 Electricity / Time
23 Legal Points to consider
24 Disabled/Gay/Smokers/Women travellers/Safety and Security
25 Internet / (mobile) Phones / Apps
26 Hazards (we may not be aware of)
27 The city never sleeps (opening times, holidays)
28 Police / Fighting / Taekwando
29 Public Toilets
30 Current offers (any sales we know of)
31 Following the launch antics via twitter
32 Archived Info (to keep the first post relevant)
iii Acknowledgments02 The 80 FTers that are "launching this route"
03 The lounge and Enroute DO's in Dec 2012
04 The Dates People are Meeting in Seoul
05 The Route Details (aircraft type, cabins fitted, timings)
06 Information for those not familiar with BA or Heathrow
07 Making of an FT legend 80 fliers little bit of crazy whole lot of Seoul Trip Report
08 Publicity of this event
09 Returning to the UK (ICN airport info)
10 Hotels FTers have chosen and recommendations
11Things to do in Seoul
12 An Example itinerary for the overnighters
13 Food / Drink in Seoul
14 Transport while in Seoul
15 Weather
16 Links to FT Trip Reports and other sources of info
17 Language
18 Cultural Points
19 Money Matters (VAT, TIps, Cash or Card, ATMs)
20 Shopping
21 Health / Insurance
22 Electricity / Time
23 Legal Points to consider
24 Disabled/Gay/Smokers/Women travellers/Safety and Security
25 Internet / (mobile) Phones / Apps
26 Hazards (we may not be aware of)
27 The city never sleeps (opening times, holidays)
28 Police / Fighting / Taekwando
29 Public Toilets
30 Current offers (any sales we know of)
31 Following the launch antics via twitter
32 Archived Info (to keep the first post relevant)
This thread (guide) is an ongoing collaborative effort and could not have been produced without everyone here first being informed about the new route and incredible sale conditions by BApilotinsider, who started this thread originally, the resultant large interest from the FT community, and finally the kind contributions of many throughout this thread, with a special nod to itsmeitisss and UTA_flyinghigh. We hope it is of use not only to those going during the introductory month but also evolves later on when the route is mature.
wikipost updated to post 849
Special Seoul launch offer | BA Board excursion
Nov 9, 2012, 3:35 am
#31
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
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Posts: 19,179
Awesome as the young use the word today and not as I was taught to use it.
Clearly we have some people with very high disposable income to have £1500 or so to spend at the drop of a hat on a weekend or to go to Seoul in the depths of winter.
I'm not sure if I am shocked or impressed.
I do wonder sometimes what outsiders (lurkers?) casually perusing this Forum would make of this.
Clearly we have some people with very high disposable income to have £1500 or so to spend at the drop of a hat on a weekend or to go to Seoul in the depths of winter.
I'm not sure if I am shocked or impressed.
I do wonder sometimes what outsiders (lurkers?) casually perusing this Forum would make of this.
Nov 9, 2012, 3:37 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
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Posts: 12,695
Yes, you have a normal sale fare. The special fare is 777 all in, return, but on the very restricted outbound dates (with a Saturday night stay).
Nov 9, 2012, 3:42 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Programs: BA gold
Posts: 3,902
Clearly we have some people with very high disposable income to have £1500 or so to spend at the drop of a hat on a weekend or to go to Seoul in the depths of winter.
I'm not sure if I am shocked or impressed. I do wonder sometimes what outsiders (lurkers?) casually perusing this Forum would make of this.
I'm not sure if I am shocked or impressed.
I do wonder sometimes what outsiders (lurkers?) casually perusing this Forum would make of this.
Like others, I always wanted to visit Seoul, but never had an opportunity to do so. Bah, I didn't realise it was a normal sale fare, but never mind, I was happy to pay for that.
Nov 9, 2012, 3:49 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GGL, BA Amex PP
Posts: 1,051
Well.....I am kind of semi-trembling with excitement now or looking back nervously thinking what the hell have I done...BUT I have booked a weekend in Seoul on the £777 CW offer...out on Friday 7th Dec (arrive Sat am) and departing Sunday 9th Dec am (arrive same day LHR in the afternoon)...Up for joining a do if anyone else is! Just need a hotel for the night now!
This, together with a £1200 LCY-JFK trip to see a friend booked earlier this week will now get me to Gold, in all 700TP for just under £2k
^^ (Recognise not as good a deal as doing transamerican flights on AA or several CE trips in Europe but I do get to go longhaul CW to some destinations I actually want! )
Nov 9, 2012, 3:49 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Italy 90% - Rest of the World 10%
Programs: Marriott + Hilton. Fly BA and AZ
Posts: 2,912
Many many thanks to BApilotinsider for this heads up
Can't believe it but I managed to book it - just wish the inaugural flight was sooner!!! Would have left on the Fri or the Sat
Btw - completely OT (kind of..) - If I want to connect to a CX flight how long should I leave? If this flight arrives at 855 will a 1020 connection be OK
My bags will be tagged OK correct?
Can't believe it but I managed to book it - just wish the inaugural flight was sooner!!! Would have left on the Fri or the Sat
Btw - completely OT (kind of..) - If I want to connect to a CX flight how long should I leave? If this flight arrives at 855 will a 1020 connection be OK
My bags will be tagged OK correct?
Nov 9, 2012, 3:52 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Geordieland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 White, HH Gold, Accor Plat.
Posts: 290
big thanks to OP for the heads up!
yesterday i booked out in F, back in J, for £2200 14th Dec - 5th jan (same price as stez, normal sale fare)
today rebooked 13th Dec - 4th jan, for £992 and used the 30k miles to upgradios the outbound to F,
massive result!
yesterday i booked out in F, back in J, for £2200 14th Dec - 5th jan (same price as stez, normal sale fare)
today rebooked 13th Dec - 4th jan, for £992 and used the 30k miles to upgradios the outbound to F,
massive result!
Nov 9, 2012, 3:55 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Nov 9, 2012, 4:02 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Well.....I am kind of semi-trembling with excitement now or looking back nervously thinking what the hell have I done...BUT I have booked a weekend in Seoul on the £777 CW offer...out on Friday 7th Dec (arrive Sat am) and departing Sunday 9th Dec am (arrive same day LHR in the afternoon)...Up for joining a do if anyone else is!
Nov 9, 2012, 4:12 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
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I still think you've got a good deal either way.Unfortunately (I do like Seoul, having been several times for work) I can't make the dates work for this due to an existing trip at the start of the travel period, and then already having booked a cheeky IST in the CE sale at the end of the period. So I have no free Saturday nights in the sale period, or I'd have booked it too.
Nov 9, 2012, 4:12 am
#41
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
Hmm, I'm open for either a longish weekend or ideally new year's.
Let's see what's still available now that you vultures have had your pick.
Let's see what's still available now that you vultures have had your pick.
Nov 9, 2012, 4:17 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GGL, BA Amex PP
Posts: 1,051
Nov 9, 2012, 4:18 am
#43
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: East Anglia, England
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,056
Blasted! What a good deal. Shame that I have a baby to take care of and we are flying out
to PHX on the 13th of December. I somehow doubt my wife would be keen on me jetting of
for the weekend. Not that I don't deserve it mind
H
to PHX on the 13th of December. I somehow doubt my wife would be keen on me jetting of
for the weekend. Not that I don't deserve it mind
H
Nov 9, 2012, 4:21 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: UK despite the weather
Programs: BAEC at last back to Gold, Flying Blue, Red with the Bearded One, Accor, Finnair Plus Blue
Posts: 266
well that's what my work colleagues thought when I booked the Friday off for a day trip to Seoul!
Nov 9, 2012, 4:22 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
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Posts: 8,720
Seems like there's complete availability for all the dates mentioned. Very tempted, but my common sense instinct seems unusually strong today, which is a shame.