ICN Connection
Jul 10, 2019, 12:20 am
#1
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ICN Connection
It's been a bit since I've connected via ICN. I dislike KEs hot cabins thus avoid. However I have no choice for next trip. I fly SIN-ICN-SEA. KE SIN-ICN, DL for ICN-SEA. The connection time is only 45 minutes. Is this realistic even if on time from SIN? There's no way for me to connect via NRT on this trip.
Jul 10, 2019, 12:24 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 162
you should be able to make it within 45 minutes. KE is generally pretty good at collecting passengers at arrival gate to bring you to the next gate. the airport is pretty efficient. however, i don't really like their new terminal. it is too big and feels like a shopping mall. you might have to run for a bit but you should be fine as long as you are within T2.
Jul 10, 2019, 12:38 am
#4
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Thanks. My real concern now is being on time. I just looked at historical arrival times. For some reason the flight I'm on seems to be arriving 20 minutes late on a regular basis in last month. Ugh.
Jul 10, 2019, 12:50 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
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I had an OZ to KE connection (T1 to T2), two separate tickets. OZ flight was delayed (due to a passenger who the local authorities decided to apprehend and not allow to leave the country, by the time he was already on the plane...an interesting reason for a delay). I asked about the I thought impossible T1-"concrouse"-T2 connection, that involves two train rides, and a long walk on both ends, plus KE has no effective OLCI so I couldn't get a KE boarding pass either in advance. OZ had someone meet me at T1 and walk through to the two trains and to the KE transfer desk in T2. It was pretty useless - the OZ guy had never even been to T2 and didn't really help me go any faster (I thought they might drive me to avoid the lengthy trek and the double train ride inside, but no such luck). But may be KE can get you someone more useful to help to facilitate your transfer; at least whomever they send will actually know T2 and what is where. And in my case, T1-"concourse"-T2 and having to get boarding pass, I made it with only some 35 minutes from the OZ flight arriving and the KE flight departure time; I never thought I would make it, but I did, and didn't even have to run - just walked a bit fast, and a good distance too.
Jul 17, 2019, 12:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AMEX Business Centurion
Posts: 418
Once I had a comfortable connection in ICN but the first flight took off late, because the captain didn't have a setbelt of all things on his seat! We arrived late into ICN and there was a young slim KE agent there who led me to the connecting gate. He ran like Usain Bolt and I was literally running as fast as I could with all my luggage, ready to barf from the exertion, but we made it. One other passenger was in the mad dash with me and he was in cowboy boots! I was DL Plat and the cowboy had no status, but they upgraded him to first for his troubles. Didn't even say a kind word to me, lol. YMMV
Jul 21, 2019, 5:30 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
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You’ll be fine. KE sells these kinds of connections all day all the time. Someone will meet you at the gate if you’re late. You can show your next flight BP at transit security and they’ll let you skip the line. If you do miss it - KE will put you up in the fancy Grand Hyatt with free meal (breakfast buffet) for free:
Jul 21, 2019, 10:44 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MSP Mainly
Programs: Delta PM & 2.4M+ Miles - Bonvoy - Lifetime Titanium - DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 267
I recently connected thru ICN and our arriving flight was 30 minutes late, leaving 25 minutes to get to the connection gate. There were about 15 people connecting and an agent was waiting for us and lead the group running to the gate which was a long ways away. I have a bad knee and could not run. Thought for sure I would miss the flight but when I got there, I was greeted with a smile and a comment "are you GregInMN?, we've been expecting you" all good, but made me think I was spending a night in ICN.
Jul 21, 2019, 3:05 pm
#9
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Doable, and you'll miss the lackluster KAL lounges.
FYI the PP lounge was much better if for some reason you have a delay.
I usually travel with a pair of shorts in case it's too hot and don't hesitate to ask the FA to see if they can lower the temp.
FYI the PP lounge was much better if for some reason you have a delay.
I usually travel with a pair of shorts in case it's too hot and don't hesitate to ask the FA to see if they can lower the temp.
Jul 21, 2019, 3:29 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
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By all means lounge hop if you have a ton of time, but I found the most peace, quiet and comfort was found in the KE lounges, even if the buffet tends toward the sad side.
Jul 25, 2019, 5:26 am
#12
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Well I end up missing my flight. Literally made it and to gate in time to watch DL pushback. There were lots of DL misconnecting passengers. Looking at history, KE648 (which isnt daily) likely shouldn't be offered as a connection to DL night bank of flights.
They tried to rebook me on KE ICN-LAS and never bothered to confirm LAS-PHX (final) on AA. I called DL cause KE kept insisting that I take that flight and it'd be worked out. Yeah, this DM isnt that naive. Also 6 hours on KE SIN-ICN was enough KE.
They tried to rebook me on KE ICN-LAS and never bothered to confirm LAS-PHX (final) on AA. I called DL cause KE kept insisting that I take that flight and it'd be worked out. Yeah, this DM isnt that naive. Also 6 hours on KE SIN-ICN was enough KE.
Jul 26, 2019, 4:04 am
#13
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24hrs later finally onboard DL170 ICN-MSP. KE at least treated me well. 24 hours at transit hotel, plus 5 - 15,000KRW vouchers, bags retagged quickly.
Jul 26, 2019, 11:24 am
#14
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How was the transit hotel at ICN (T2 I assume)? It's too bad they didn't send you to the very nice GH at the airport, from which you can walk to a few local restaurants and shops, take the train to Seoul, explore Incheon City (far from the airport), ride the newish monorail, or do a somewhat longer walk to see the casino and an interesting Design Hotel
Jul 26, 2019, 3:00 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Waffle House DM
Posts: 467
I had my own epic travel saga recently with an upcoming DL to KE connection that was randomly changed on me, and a DL agent told me minimum connection times for ICN were showing as 70 minutes. This was just last week, so no reason to disbelieve her, although others here have clearly made shorter connections. Apologies for sharing that after you missed your flight of course!