안녕하세요, Kia Orana, Welcome
In my previous newsletter, I discussed that after 21 years, it was my final day in South Korea. The hectic moving, emotions, and my experience at the airport whereby after checking in I decided to enjoy the wonderful Korean Air Business lounge at Incheon airport for 3 hours before departure.
This week I describe what it’s like to fly on an airplane with a total of 9 passengers aboard and my first time in business class.
THE COVID WORLD
Many of us will never forget the world during the COVID outbreak. Life-altering and thought-provoking it caused us to ask many deep and insightful questions not only about the world but also about our own personal existence and what the future held for us.
From a personal perspective, after 21 years in South Korea, it was time to go home. This was in March 2022, so join me as I try to recall a number of events about this flight.
As we recall from Vol 31 of the newsletter, I checked in at Korean Air at Incheon airport and discovered I was one of 9 passengers and the only one in business class. It was my first time flying business class and I was very excited to see what it was all about. I immediately realized what the fuss was all about as soon as I entered the fancy Business class check-in line with no other people. Over the years and after numerous flights, I always wondered what it would be like in that line. Initially, it’s not that different its just another line. Until you get to the counter. There is an atmosphere of respect and kindness on a different level. The next thing to hit me about this business class ticket was the staff allowed 3 bags at 32kgs even though the weight allowance for this ticket was 2 bags at 32kgs each. Happy days!!
It's bizarre that even with a 32kg bag weight limit you will still find a way to overload your suitcase.
On entering the plane I was the only passenger in business class although they allowed 2 pilots that were flying the plane back to South Korea to enjoy the comforts of business class too.
As you can see from my video at the beginning of this newsletter, The seating is almost like pods with extensive space to stretch and relax. Upon entering the plane through the front the immediate reaction from the flight crew revealed exactly the differences between economy and business. They are of course friendly in economy class but here it goes to another level. I think most flyers never get to see this crew as they are dedicated to the front of the plane and probably don’t come back to economy class. I wonder if they receive different training or what are the requirements to work in this section. You have a flight attendant asking if you need anything almost every 10 minutes. Continuously, they are offering you drinks or snacks. Otherwise, they check if you are okay and want more pillows or slippers, etc.
The flight crew offers you a choice of traditional Korean food or a western type meal and kindly go through the menu in detail.
It really hits you when the first meal arrives. The setting and cutlery of a civilized meal really show you the difference. Yes, those are real knives, forks, etc. It almost takes you away from the idea that you are 30,000ft in the sky racing along.
Korean Air business class dinner menu (appetizer) - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
The setting consisted of a tablecloth, napkins, cutlery, etc. There were three courses for the dinner meal. The appetizer consisted of large focaccia bread, Scallops, and a lovely salad of sun-dried tomatoes, and greens. It was quite fresh and the temp of the meal was just right. Also, a really tasty pumpkin soup. A great combination with additional bottles of balsamic vinegar, juice, water, and wine to start. The frequency of the flight crew asking if you want any more of the above-listed foods was outstanding. Unlimited refills of all listed foods are available and you can even indulge in the extensive wine/whiskey menu.
Korean Air business class dinner menu (pumpkin soup) - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Korean Air business class dinner (main menu) - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Thinking that was a lovely dinner and forgetting this was business class I was surprised as they cleared the setting and replaced it with brand-new plates and cutlery. It was time for the main meal which consisted of mash, veggies, and meat with this lovely gravy made from bourbon. The crew constantly asks if you require more bread, drinks, or anything else.
This main meal is followed up with ice cream, tea, or further drinks to pass the time away.
It was a hell of a meal. Prepared really well!
After this meal, you get to settle in for the next 10 hours and enjoy the extensive flight movie catalog. Every seat in this section of the plane is like a little self-enclosed pod and you can adjust the seat to a recliner and eventually a bed. I can see the benefits of this kind of flying if you travel for business trips etc when you need to be refreshed upon arrival.
Korean Air business class TV - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Korean Air business class reclining chair - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
As mentioned earlier they will constantly ask you if you require anything and will set you up some snacks while watching movies. These consisted of giant cookies and a pizza that was great.
Korean Air business class snacks - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
It definitely was a pleasant night watching movies and sleeping a little. The ability to stretch out on a bed was something I will never forget.
The morning breakfast routine was almost a repeat of the dinner. A lovely set table with two courses of tasty food. A fresh salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers with garlic bread. A main dish of omelet, sausages, mushrooms, and coffee or tea. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the main breakfast meal in the excitement.^^
I never saw the other passengers during the flight until we disembarked in Auckland, New Zealand. However, it sounds like with only 8 passengers back there they got to enjoy whole rows of seating to themselves. Finally, the crew was just as attentive and enthusiastic about leaving the plane as onboarding.
Overall, it was a great experience and I can see where the extra cost of the ticket comes into play. You land refreshed and ready to go without the usual sluggishness and cramped body of an economy flight. It also makes one wonder about other business-class tickets offered by other airlines and also first-class tickets. What comes with those tickets one can only imagine.
If you ever get one chance to fly business class or above take it. It’s quite the experience. It was my last memory of South Korea and next time I will talk about my new home, The Cook Islands.
“Feed your focus, starve your distractions.”
Coming soon I will be launching a Youtube channel showing life in South Korea and my new home, The Cook Islands. Feel free to subscribe and get the videos as they are released.
Feel free to follow my adventures on Twitter. I’m not a prolific tweeter but now and again you might see some gems.
I’m relatively new to the Instagram world but follow along for a more visual aspect of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Leaving South Korea after 21 years on a one-way ticket home - Vol 32