Korean Air Experience from a Delta GM
Sep 19, 2012, 5:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: Delta GM, Delta AMEX Plat
Posts: 5
Korean Air Experience from a Delta GM
I wanted to share my first experience on Korean Airlines with the Delta community since, when I tried to get a feeling for what I was in for before the trip, I couldn’t find much intel.
That being said, flying KAL was a great experience! We flew SFO-ICN-SIN and then HKT-ICN-SFO home. Needless to say some long flights. In coach. What I noticed:
1) Free use of lounge for sky priority members! They utilize BA’s lounge at SFO which was really nice (although small) and had showers, food, drinks, and it’s own private jet way. In HKT, we were given a VIP escort from the ticket agent through immigration and into the “Coral Lounge” which isn’t KAL specific but had a few nice amenities – especially since HKT is not the nicest airport. As you would guess, the lounge at ICN was fantastic. They actually have two lounges – one specifically for first class and one for everyone else. Showers, food, drinks, luggage storage – all very nice. We had a 8 hour layover and ended up spending most of the time in the lounge which made the day fly by.
2) Sky priority access at check in, security, and at gate.
3) Tons of food – they just kept feeding us! Also they brought around a lot of rounds of water and juices.
4) Great AV choices – our planes were equipped with their AVODII system. Nice big 10” screen and lot of movie choices.
5) Good legroom in coach. We flew Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300, and Airbus 330-300 for the various legs of our trip. Pretty much all the same inside. I would say the standard coach seat has just about as much legroom as a DL domestic exit row seat. I’m 6 foot and could stretch out my legs comfortably. Plus both the seat cushion and seat back recline.
6) Each seat had a USB plug-in for charging. Apparently some of their planes have a real A/C outlet as well but we only had USB on our flights.
7) Real silverware!!
8) Bottle of water, blanket, pillow, slippers and toothbrush/toothpaste were all provided at the beginning of the flight. The slippers were key!
Gripes:
1) No personal air vents above the seat. I’m usually freezing on Delta flights but KAL were a bit warmer so having the vent would have been nice.
2) Can’t choose seats online – unless you are a Skypass member, but then you wouldn’t get Delta credit. I had to call within 30 days of our trip to give them our DL numbers and choose seats. That being said on my ticket it did say sky priority, lounge access, and had my DL ff#.
3) I would think it would be harder to get a upgrade, but not sure. I couldn’t really figure out how it worked with KAL and they don’t have a upgrade list or anything.
Hope this is useful!
That being said, flying KAL was a great experience! We flew SFO-ICN-SIN and then HKT-ICN-SFO home. Needless to say some long flights. In coach. What I noticed:
1) Free use of lounge for sky priority members! They utilize BA’s lounge at SFO which was really nice (although small) and had showers, food, drinks, and it’s own private jet way. In HKT, we were given a VIP escort from the ticket agent through immigration and into the “Coral Lounge” which isn’t KAL specific but had a few nice amenities – especially since HKT is not the nicest airport. As you would guess, the lounge at ICN was fantastic. They actually have two lounges – one specifically for first class and one for everyone else. Showers, food, drinks, luggage storage – all very nice. We had a 8 hour layover and ended up spending most of the time in the lounge which made the day fly by.
2) Sky priority access at check in, security, and at gate.
3) Tons of food – they just kept feeding us! Also they brought around a lot of rounds of water and juices.
4) Great AV choices – our planes were equipped with their AVODII system. Nice big 10” screen and lot of movie choices.
5) Good legroom in coach. We flew Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300, and Airbus 330-300 for the various legs of our trip. Pretty much all the same inside. I would say the standard coach seat has just about as much legroom as a DL domestic exit row seat. I’m 6 foot and could stretch out my legs comfortably. Plus both the seat cushion and seat back recline.
6) Each seat had a USB plug-in for charging. Apparently some of their planes have a real A/C outlet as well but we only had USB on our flights.
7) Real silverware!!
8) Bottle of water, blanket, pillow, slippers and toothbrush/toothpaste were all provided at the beginning of the flight. The slippers were key!
Gripes:
1) No personal air vents above the seat. I’m usually freezing on Delta flights but KAL were a bit warmer so having the vent would have been nice.
2) Can’t choose seats online – unless you are a Skypass member, but then you wouldn’t get Delta credit. I had to call within 30 days of our trip to give them our DL numbers and choose seats. That being said on my ticket it did say sky priority, lounge access, and had my DL ff#.
3) I would think it would be harder to get a upgrade, but not sure. I couldn’t really figure out how it worked with KAL and they don’t have a upgrade list or anything.
Hope this is useful!
Sep 19, 2012, 7:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
Good review. It's been a while since I've flown KE, but they are a great airline. Now they just need to get rid of those blackout dates for awards ...
Complimentary upgrades are a very US-airline thing ... Asian airlines protect the premium cabins much more. The only reason anyone would get upgraded is in the event of a coach oversell, and it'd likely go in order of elites (with Skypass elites taking preference).
Complimentary upgrades are a very US-airline thing ... Asian airlines protect the premium cabins much more. The only reason anyone would get upgraded is in the event of a coach oversell, and it'd likely go in order of elites (with Skypass elites taking preference).
Sep 19, 2012, 7:11 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
In principle, if you are not flying during DL's blackout dates for KE, you can upgrade a KE flight with DL miles if upgrade inventory is available and if you have purchased a FULL Y ticket under the SkyTeam upgrade award program. This doesn't require elite status and you would earn miles based on the purchased full Y fare class.
Sep 20, 2012, 12:04 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: STL
Programs: HHONORS, AA, Delta, Southwest, Avis, Emerald Club
Posts: 120
You don't have to be a GM to get that great level of service (other than lounge, and Sky Team elite lines).
When I was just a skymiles member flying STL-ORD-ICN I got that awesome service. I was a bit sad after Delta started flying routes to ICN (used to be all code share)... They ended up being cheaper and the level of service isn't the same.
BTW I recommend always getting the Korean dish. They used to try to give me the American dish but Korean dish always tasted better.
When I was just a skymiles member flying STL-ORD-ICN I got that awesome service. I was a bit sad after Delta started flying routes to ICN (used to be all code share)... They ended up being cheaper and the level of service isn't the same.
BTW I recommend always getting the Korean dish. They used to try to give me the American dish but Korean dish always tasted better.
Sep 20, 2012, 2:03 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,151
5) Good legroom in coach. We flew Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300, and Airbus 330-300 for the various legs of our trip. Pretty much all the same inside. I would say the standard coach seat has just about as much legroom as a DL domestic exit row seat. I’m 6 foot and could stretch out my legs comfortably. Plus both the seat cushion and seat back recline.
Sep 20, 2012, 6:48 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,950
Sep 20, 2012, 6:59 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
This is normal for any ST airline. Of course, international lounges are not skyclubs (thank God :-)
Free upgrades are a purely US-domestic thing. And even then, they are not given to E+ from a different airline.
Free upgrades are a purely US-domestic thing. And even then, they are not given to E+ from a different airline.
Sep 20, 2012, 8:34 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,351
I'm a SkyMiles peon who flies on KE as I live in Korea. I am completely spoiled. I have no concept of business class (Except what I've seen), but I am always EXTREMELY comfortable in coach (BUT BUT BUT do NOT fly left side window seat for day flights to ICN... HOT! HOT! HOT! from the sun).
There is enough room for me to kick my legs out under the seat and I'm 5'11. The seat reclines quite far and the headrest has the tips that move in so you can angle your head. I always pull about 5-7 hours of sleep on ATL-ICN/vv.
They are always gracious and polite for ANYTHING. Even during SEVERE EXTREME turbulence, they held that cart down and squatted in the aisle with elegance.
And I second ordering the Korean option. Always way better. And, from what I'm told and experienced, upgrades are EXTREMELY rare unless you pay the miles for them or coach is WAY oversold.
They do protect their SkyPass elites. Like to the point of the first half of the plane is for them for advance seat selection.
And yes, seat selection is only done at 30 days from your first flight out (but you can select both legs' seats) online OR over the phone. Weird, but it's how they roll. You CAN sign up for SkyPass, add your res and just change it to SkyMiles once you've accomplished your business, though.
Also - insider tip. If you are booking an Intra-Asia flight (ex ICN-SGN RT), Select Korea as your home (and you best be on IE as their website is WEIRD...all Korean sites are) and your flights will be about 300 cheaper than selecting the US as your home.
There is enough room for me to kick my legs out under the seat and I'm 5'11. The seat reclines quite far and the headrest has the tips that move in so you can angle your head. I always pull about 5-7 hours of sleep on ATL-ICN/vv.
They are always gracious and polite for ANYTHING. Even during SEVERE EXTREME turbulence, they held that cart down and squatted in the aisle with elegance.
And I second ordering the Korean option. Always way better. And, from what I'm told and experienced, upgrades are EXTREMELY rare unless you pay the miles for them or coach is WAY oversold.
They do protect their SkyPass elites. Like to the point of the first half of the plane is for them for advance seat selection.
And yes, seat selection is only done at 30 days from your first flight out (but you can select both legs' seats) online OR over the phone. Weird, but it's how they roll. You CAN sign up for SkyPass, add your res and just change it to SkyMiles once you've accomplished your business, though.
Also - insider tip. If you are booking an Intra-Asia flight (ex ICN-SGN RT), Select Korea as your home (and you best be on IE as their website is WEIRD...all Korean sites are) and your flights will be about 300 cheaper than selecting the US as your home.
Sep 20, 2012, 9:35 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
My understanding is that standard seat pitch in economy on Korean is 34". Sounds awfully nice. http://www.koreanair.com/local/na/gd...g_if_cs_ec.jsp
Sep 20, 2012, 10:41 am
#12
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 120
When we flew KE last year they called me to setup child meals for my son. I was used to having to call and get bounced around to get that set up properly.
My only gripe is that we didn't book a high enough fare class to earn delta miles.
My only gripe is that we didn't book a high enough fare class to earn delta miles.
Sep 20, 2012, 2:57 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: HSV
Programs: Delta DM / 4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 126
My two cents having just flown KAL from ATL-ICN on a Boeing 777-300 two weeks ago. I agree the KAL service was outstanding. The FAs were very attentive and polite and the Korean food service was wonderful.
However, I believe the Business Cabin hard product is actually better on the Delta 777. The seats were similar, but Delta's fish bone arrangement and the associated accommodations are much more comfortable. The KAL lay-flat seats are nice--but, on a 15+ hour flight, the privacy that comes with the Delta layout makes a world of difference. And I also like having my own air vent.
I enjoyed my experience KAL, but on my next trip to ICN I plan on taking the Delta connection out of DTW vice the KAL flight from ATL.
However, I believe the Business Cabin hard product is actually better on the Delta 777. The seats were similar, but Delta's fish bone arrangement and the associated accommodations are much more comfortable. The KAL lay-flat seats are nice--but, on a 15+ hour flight, the privacy that comes with the Delta layout makes a world of difference. And I also like having my own air vent.
I enjoyed my experience KAL, but on my next trip to ICN I plan on taking the Delta connection out of DTW vice the KAL flight from ATL.
Sep 21, 2012, 12:54 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SLC
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Platinum, AX Platinum, Hertz PC, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 11
Decided last minute in Tokyo to upgrade on Korean Air A380 on a return. This was an amazing experience I would highly recommend to anyone.