I was excited as it was the first flight in an Asian carrier. Madrid is the Europe's most distant destination for Korean Air.
KOREAN AIR
Flight number KE913
Seoul Incheon- Madrid Barajas
Boeing 777-2B5ER
Registration: HL7721
Economy Class
May 2008
Time flight: 12'5 h.
Load Factor: Aprox: 45% (the lowest in the last 10 years if my memory serves me well)
North Korean airspace was not overfllown.
Seoul-Incheon airport:
HL7721 in gate 24 (previously other KE 777-200ER left to LAX and 7 hours later other 772 was leaving to AKL) during the pre-flight: (You can see a 747-400 on the left, a 330 on the right.)
SkyTeam partners at ICN on 12th May:
(747-400C, I'll miss you when retired)
JL, CX and others:
Free Internet service at ICN while waiting for boarding:
The end of the trip, Korean's 777 parked at T-1 in Madrid-Barajas Int' Airport, next to a IL-96 just like the previous Monday during my inbound flight:
In Short:
The best point of Korean Air is the BIG legroom you get in Economy. Asian people care about small details and you find in your seat a pillow, a blanket and a bottle of water. Food is good with two options, Western and Korean food to choose. ICN, on the other hand is a friendly-user, World class airport.
The less good point is not having PTV's in Coach, at least in many 777's.
Korean Air is a good airline, I was expecting some more, though ...specially after reading the Skytrax remark when KE was voted like the World's best Economy Class.
Anyhow, I could fly KE again, but next trip to Asia I hope fly CX or JL.
Davescj From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 1797 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 20417 times:
Great TR! I'm glad you posted! Welcome to the TR forum also!
MaverickM11 From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 12112 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 20100 times:
Quoting Talaier (Reply 2): The cabin looks really good, and even though it lacks PTV's there's nothing a good book can beat
They haven't refitted all the 777s by now? How many are left to redo?
Rogerbcn From Spain, joined Sep 2006, 636 posts, RR: 11 Reply 4, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 20060 times:
Hola Andrés!
Thanks for your TR from Korea.
Although there was no PTV on Y I guess it was a quite comfortable flight especially if you had the whole row to yourself. Without doubt I would have turned it into my private Skysuite, I usually do it when flying on empty planes. I saw once a woman on a flight to BOM with LH that manage to sleep flat on two Y seats, she was quite small and flexible
Salut!
Roger
"Travelling is living" H.C. Andersen / 13.02.10 BCN-MAD-ZRH-TXL
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 3252 posts, RR: 70 Reply 5, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 19537 times:
Nice report, Andrés. Korean reports are quite rare here. The seat design looks almost ancient - even though the plane isn't yet five years old!
Quoting SKY1 (Thread starter): Last May, I took advantage for a super offer of Korean Air for flying Seoul, South Korea, where I stayed just a week
Lucky man - I have been interested in the new MUC-ICN flight, but the fares are insane.
Quoting SKY1 (Thread starter): Despite the image, very good Korean food onboard:
Too bad you had almost finished all the food when taking the pic. What was the dark stuff on the right?
Quoting SKY1 (Thread starter): Asian people care about small details and you find in your seat a pillow, a blanket and a bottle of water. Food is good with two options, Western and Korean food to choose.
Did they distribute amenity kits?
Quoting SKY1 (Thread starter): The less good point is not having PTV's in Coach, at least in many 777's.
Hopefully the cabin upgrades will be completed soon.
Quoting SKY1 (Thread starter): Korean Air is a good airline, I was expecting some more, though ...specially after reading the Skytrax remark when KE was voted like the World's best Economy Class.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 4): Although there was no PTV on Y I guess it was a quite comfortable flight especially if you had the whole row to yourself.
With a configuration 2-5-2 except on the last rows, I had resign myself with the 2 seats next to the window. Anyway for me it's very difficult to get sleep during a flight. For the MAD-ICN leg, I could sleep 4 hours.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 4): I usually do it when flying on empty planes
The problem here is today is very odd to find any flight with less than 50% of occupation
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 5): The seat design looks almost ancient - even though the plane isn't yet five years old!
Yes, that's very curious. That desing is not usual nowadays. It's like very classical- (blue seats are located on the 777 central section, on the curtains it's possible to see a notice about the division between Business Class and Coach)
Anyway, It's grateful having a good legroom, specially in flights + than 10 hours. That's the best point for Korean Air's Economy Class.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 5): I have been interested in the new MUC-ICN flight, but the fares are insane.
Seaweed soup ...strange, but very flavoured. The plastic dish had hot rice, to be mixed with the Bibimbap. White tube contained a red, dense spice paste to be also mixed in the Bibimbap bowl. The small bowl had caper and fresh vegetables.
HOONS90 From Canada, joined Aug 2001, 2021 posts, RR: 57 Reply 7, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 19239 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Very nice trip report and pics!
Quoting SKY1 (Reply 6): More than half so far I know
HL7733, HL7734, HL7743, HL7750, HL7751, HL7752, HL7764, HL7765 and HL7766 have AVOD in all classes. They are only assigned to certain routes such as SEA, LAS, ORD, SFO, LAX-GRU, MUC, VIE etc. (those routes are always scheduled to receive these aircraft)
HL7526, HL7530, HL7531, HL7574, HL7575, HL7598, HL7714, HL7715 and HL7721 will be refurbished with AVOD in all classes by 2009. Currently, they should only be used to MAD, AKL, YVR, DFW, SYD, GUM, BKK, etc.
All of the 777-300s and A330s should receive AVOD in all classes by 2009 as well. Most, if not all 747-400s should have AVOD by now. If they're are still some flying without them, they are only used to YYZ, FCO, HND and some other destinations within East Asia, and they will be converted to cargo very shortly.
Zone1 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1031 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 19232 times:
Thank you for the KE trip report. It is always nice to see KE and OZ trip reports and I hope to fly them in the not to distant future.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 4): Without doubt I would have turned it into my private Skysuite, I usually do it when flying on empty planes.
One time when I was flying the second UA frequency from HKG to ORD coach class was pretty empty. I had a window seat, and no one took the other two seats. Needless to say, I had a great sleep in UnitedEconomyFirst!
SKY1 From Spain, joined Apr 2006, 700 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 19213 times:
Quoting HOONS90 (Reply 7): Very nice trip report and pics!
A bit short, maybe
Thanks anyway
Quoting HOONS90 (Reply 7): HL7526, HL7530, HL7531, HL7574, HL7575, HL7598, HL7714, HL7715 and HL7721 will be refurbished with AVOD in all classes by 2009. Currently, they should only be used to MAD, AKL, YVR, DFW, SYD, GUM, BKK, etc
MAD-ICN was on HL7526 (WHICH is shown in the blue seats picture)
Anyway I saw here at MAD, at least twice, the HL7764 registration. I bet it is a question about day and lucky
Quoting HOONS90 (Reply 7): Most, if not all 747-400s should have AVOD by now. If they're are still some flying without them, they are only used to YYZ, FCO, HND and some other destinations within East Asia, and they will be converted to cargo very shortly.
PlaneHunter From Germany, joined Mar 2006, 3252 posts, RR: 70 Reply 10, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 18958 times:
Quoting SKY1 (Reply 6): did you ask departing VIE?
Not yet, but I may have a look again.
Quoting SKY1 (Reply 6): Seaweed soup ...strange, but very flavoured. The plastic dish had hot rice, to be mixed with the Bibimbap. White tube contained a red, dense spice paste to be also mixed in the Bibimbap bowl. The small bowl had caper and fresh vegetables.
Sounds strange...not really to my taste.
Quoting SKY1 (Reply 6): Yes, toohpast/brush, sock and visor for sleeping.
Not bad, I didn't get that on MH.
Quoting HOONS90 (Reply 7):
HL7733, HL7734, HL7743, HL7750, HL7751, HL7752, HL7764, HL7765 and HL7766 have AVOD in all classes. They are only assigned to certain routes such as SEA, LAS, ORD, SFO, LAX-GRU, MUC, VIE etc. (those routes are always scheduled to receive these aircraft)
HL7526, HL7530, HL7531, HL7574, HL7575, HL7598, HL7714, HL7715 and HL7721 will be refurbished with AVOD in all classes by 2009. Currently, they should only be used to MAD, AKL, YVR, DFW, SYD, GUM, BKK, etc.
I'm wondering why e.g. DFW doesn't get an AVOD model - what's the distribution based on? Yields?
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 2202 posts, RR: 20 Reply 11, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 18800 times:
Nice report on KE. They look pretty well OK for Y class, despite the missing IFE.
Legroom is, at least for me, more important. I'm used to take my PSP, MP3s and some magazines to spend the time with, usually.
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 10): I'm wondering why e.g. DFW doesn't get an AVOD model - what's the distribution based on? Yields?
Many airlines have differences in their fleets, despite being same a/c types. Indeed, specific aircraft are scheduled on specific routes. And yes, it's about yields (some routings need bigger C or even F classes), or just more Y class. I feel that MAD is a lower yield route (more holiday travellers inbound from Korea/Asia), hence the choice of aircraft.
Quoting SKY1 (Thread starter): Anyhow, I could fly KE again, but next trip to Asia I hope fly CX or JL.
Try JL. They offer a flight MAD-AMS (IB/oneworld codeshare) - NRT (JL). All a/c have AVOD in all classes. AMS-NRT is nowadays served by 77W (B777-300ER) on Wednesdays, other days usually by B772.
Speedbird0125 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 131 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 18206 times:
Joemugg From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 61 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 17944 times:
Good to see the boarding shot with F/A... from the jetway. Don't see enough of those. Though in this instance the F/A seems to be taken by surprise. lol.
HeeseokKoo From South Korea, joined Jan 2005, 363 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 17421 times:
KE is suffering from low demand on ICN-MAD-ICN route. Also I was told there're not many premium class passengers. Hopefully KE keeps this route despite of this high fuel price era.
Tsaord From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 17320 times:
TENGO UNA PREGUNTA/I have a question!
That 744C. Does that fly cargo or passengers?? For four years I have been working at ORD I have seen KLM with a 747 that opens on the side just like the one in your picture. But I always see it from a distance. I can't tell if their a seats there or not but it flys passengers to Amsterdam lol. I wonder when they open up the side where to the seats go?? That section is an entry way for cargo??
Kappel From Suriname, joined Jul 2005, 2999 posts, RR: 8 Reply 16, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 17173 times:
Quoting Tsaord (Reply 15): That 744C. Does that fly cargo or passengers??
Both. IIRC the official designation is 744M. It's a combi. Part of the cabin is separated to fly cargo on the main deck. In normal pax 744's KLM fits 420 pax, in the combi it's 280, to give you an idea.
Quoting Tsaord (Reply 15): That section is an entry way for cargo??
SKY1 From Spain, joined Apr 2006, 700 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 15139 times:
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 11): Try JL. They offer a flight MAD-AMS (IB/oneworld codeshare) - NRT (JL).
JL is a good option. I'll fly JL for sure if I can purchase an Oneworld Explorer.
For a single fare Europe-Asia I find AF-KL like a very good value and wider choice of destinations.
It's. A bit large for my taste, though. ICN-MAD (13 hours, nearly one more hour than MAD-ICN) is in my own limit about how long I'm willing to spend inside a plane.
Quoting HeeseokKoo (Reply 14): KE is suffering from low demand on ICN-MAD-ICN route
I'd like see KE keeping along the time this route. Now they will stop at AMS ...well, better that than nothing.
Speedbird0125 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 131 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 14775 times:
When will those KE's 9 old 772s get new cabin? Someone said all of their 772s will be retrofitted with new cabin by 2009, so some of old 772s already got new cabin by now?
Speedbird0125 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 131 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 14772 times:
Can anyone tell that which row of window seat doesn't have 'window' in both KE's old and new 772 confg.?
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 6400 posts, RR: 52 Reply 22, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 10283 times:
Great report and pictures, really liked, thanks!
Amazing that KE don't have PTV's in as standard yet, figured is was a given!
I generally don't watch PTV's but it's always good to have them to hand - I might finish my book and need amusing
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