mikeology From United States of America, joined Mar 2012, 102 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 7800 times:
Intro:
This is my first trip report so forgive me if I leave out any important details. So this trip would be a short one for my friend and I. Only 6 days from country to country. So we decided a direct flight to Seoul would be good. Little did we know how cold it would be. Mid 20's the entire stay. However we still enjoyed our stay and for my first time in Asia I can say I will most definitely be going back.
SFO - ICN
UA Boeing 747-400
February 15th 2012
11:00 - 16:30
Entering SFO international terminal. We wouldn't be checking bags.
Cool little Best Buy kiosk
Terminal shot
Boarding area. We stopped and ate. Had a few cocktails and only spent about 20 min before boarding
Out chariot to ICN. 747-400. Best livery IMO
My friend already with the shoes off before take off
Stretching out. I must note we were on lower level departing. The extra legroom is most definitely noticeable compared to the upper cabin
Menu
Facing backwards was an interesting experience
Starter. The salad I thought was quite good. However the spring roll was so awful I wouldn't even let my dog eat it. Cold / frozen as if it hadn't finished thawing.
Main course was satisfying. Chicken with noodles and bok choy.
Cabin at night
Seat controls
Somewhere over the pacific
Meal an hour or so before landing. Chicken and Cous Cous. Awful
About to enter SK
Just passing over eastern South Korean coast
Coming in to land at ICN
Bus ride into Seoul
Subway / Underground shopping
Seoul. So cold
Train station
Yongsan electronics market
Subway
Insaedong...... i think
Seoul tower
Food
Soju!
Incheon International
Boarding area
Our 747 back to SFO
Starter on the return trip was much better. Salad and smoked salmon
Salmon for dinner. I think it made me sick
My friends chicken
Dessert
Breakfast. I didn't eat it
All in all it was a great trip. The flight back was super short however the meal service felt rushed each time. A return to Seoul is a must. Just not in February
legalkiwi From New Zealand, joined Apr 2006, 46 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 6986 times:
Hi - thanks for taking the time to do a report - some good pics. The food does look a little poor for business class, compared to many other reports. But still, good to know that you had a fun trip!
Quoting mikeology (Thread starter): Little did we know how cold it would be. Mid 20's the entire stay
Did you not check the weather forecast, or is it more the fact that living in California you never experience 20 degree weather and therefore are not aware how cold it really is? At least you got some sunshine by the looks of it, so that must have made it bearable
kfitz From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (1 year 2 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 6968 times:
Thanks for sharing! I second your comment about the bed length upstairs. It's too snug for anybody over 6' IMO, which is a shame given the intimacy of the u/d. Out of the fleet, the 764/752/744u/d all share this shorter length in my experience.
I don't see the reason why they chose to have those seats in that configuration, clearly by having them face forwards they would be able to fit the same number of seats in the cabin? How did the other passengers think about flying backwards?
Quoting mikeology (Thread starter): Main course was satisfying. Chicken with noodles and bok choy.
Such a shame that UA haven't done much effort in enhancing their meal presentation, despite having the cabins fitted with the new product.
Wheels up!
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
EddieDude From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 7170 posts, RR: 45 Reply 7, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 5672 times:
Mike,
Welcome on A.net and thanks a lot for sharing your report with us. It is really great. I especially enjoyed it because I was in Seoul for less than 14 hours back in May of 2011 and I agree with you that a return to Seoul is a must! I cannot wait to go back.
How long did it take? I took the train (the commuter train as opposed to the express one) and I found that to be great value for the money, and a reasonably fast way to get to the city.
anamericanin From Moldova, joined Aug 2010, 43 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 2 months 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 5491 times:
Thanks for the report... I used to live in Seoul, so it was nice to see those pictures! I miss flying out of a world class airport like ICN, now that I'm living in KIV! Glad to see you enjoyed your time, and the soju (it's not for everyone, but I find it !)
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 6): I don't see the reason why they chose to have those seats in that configuration, clearly by having them face forwards they would be able to fit the same number of seats in the cabin? How did the other passengers think about flying backwards?
I've flown "backwards" in UA J on a 763 a couple of times on IAD-DME and it's a little odd during takeoff and even more so on landing, sensation-wise, but mid-flight there's zero difference, IMHO.
mikeology From United States of America, joined Mar 2012, 102 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 year 2 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 4363 times:
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 1): So, did you use OLCI? Was the website user friendly?
We did. Pretty straight forward. Just print from home and go.
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 1): I have never experienced that: is there any advantage in terms of space?
Yes for the upper cabin. Because of the curvature of the plane you have little storage bins below the window. Enough to fit 2 back packs. However no storage bins on the lower level
Quoting Quokkas (Reply 1): What was the inflight service generally like? Were the crew proactive in anticipating your requirements or did they just serve and disappear?
The service going to ICN was much better than the return. While this may sound unusual the crew going was quite "senior"
They were verry attentive. Everything on time. Younger crew for the return flight. Meals were rushed however it was a night flight so I assume they wanted everyone asleep as quickly as possible
Quoting legalkiwi (Reply 2): Did you not check the weather forecast, or is it more the fact that living in California you never experience 20 degree weather and therefore are not aware how cold it really is? At least you got some sunshine by the looks of it, so that must have made it bearable
We did but yes living in California does leave me a bit spoiled. I've only ever been to Europe that time of year so I didn't have much to compare to
Quoting kfitz (Reply 3): Thanks for sharing! I second your comment about the bed length upstairs. It's too snug for anybody over 6' IMO, which is a shame given the intimacy of the u/d. Out of the fleet, the 764/752/744u/d all share this shorter length in my experience.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I really enjoyed the feel or ambiance of the upper cabin more. But me myself being 6'
it was most definitely way to snug.
Quoting jwhite9185 (Reply 4): Great little report! How long did the flight back take, as you say it was super short?
Just under 9 hours. About 8 1/2 if I remember correctly. Short for me as the only other international flights ive done have been direct from SFO to Europe
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 6): That's pretty cool. So you could buy yourself a pair of QC15 headphones for the flight?
I'm not sure if they had them available but yes. Prices were same as store but mostly high end stuff
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 6): I don't see the reason why they chose to have those seats in that configuration, clearly by having them face forwards they would be able to fit the same number of seats in the cabin? How did the other passengers think about flying backwards?
I didn't ask anybody else but my friend flying with me has done it before. Really once you are airborne you don't notice a difference. Even landing seemed the same. Only during takeoff do you have to use your legs to brace yourself
Quoting EddieDude (Reply 7): How long did it take? I took the train (the commuter train as opposed to the express one) and I found that to be great value for the money, and a reasonably fast way to get to the city.
It was about a 30 - 40 bus ride where we stayed in Hongdae. 10,000 won for the bus
Quoting anamericanin (Reply 8): Thanks for the report... I used to live in Seoul, so it was nice to see those pictures! I miss flying out of a world class airport like ICN, now that I'm living in KIV! Glad to see you enjoyed your time, and the soju (it's not for everyone, but I find it !)
Although I am blessed with all of the Asian food near me in the Bay Area i've never been to a Korean restaurant locally nor have I had soju. Having now had it I most definitely enjoy it and plan on having more. I must say it was best chilled. Some places served it room temp or slightly cold which made it a bit tougher to swallow
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