Asiana Airlines Review
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- Check-In Services - Business Lounge -Washroom Cleanliness:
- Cabin Staff Language Skills - Onboard Comfort -EntertainmentASIANA B777-200 ER Business Class Flights OZ 522/601/602/521 London Heathrow to Sydney CHECK-IN HEATHROW: This was total chaos on the day we travelled. The Asiana computer had packed up and Bmi, which handles check-in for Asiana, seemed totally lost. Area C in Terminal 1 (normally the check-in area) was deserted and we were told to […]
ASIANA B777-200 ER Business Class Flights OZ 522/601/602/521
London Heathrow to Sydney
CHECK-IN HEATHROW: This was total chaos on the day we travelled. The Asiana computer had packed up and Bmi, which handles check-in for Asiana, seemed totally lost. Area C in Terminal 1 (normally the check-in area) was deserted and we were told to go to area B. Here the queue went back as far to the main hall and after inquiring where the business class check-in was we were told to go to area A. Here about 50 people wanted to check-in which were more than the available seats in the business class section for the flight. It was just a free for all. We could only check-in as far as Seoul. We were told by stressed Bmi staff that we had to reclaim our luggage in Seoul and check in again. Our pre-allocated seats 3A and 3C were already taken and we received seats 7A and 7B which were not business class. Bmi could not explain why and asked us to sort it out at the gate or on board. One had the impression there was a lack of co-operation between Asiana and Bmi. It took nearly an hour to check-in so no time to visit the Star Alliance lounge. Finally at the gate the Asiana supervisor allocated us seats 1A and 1C. With the chaos, boarding took longer and we left an hour late.
THE SEAT: Asiana has a 2-3-2 configuration on its B777s over five rows. There are some older aircraft in the fleet which feature only 4 rows and unfortunately these are the ones that are used on this London – Seoul – Sydney route. Seat row 1 gives a bit more space than the rows behind, but the lighting reflects on the TV screens and this makes watching not very good. The best rows are two to four or two to three respectively. The seat has a good recline that was almost horizontal but not fully flat. Seating for the meals and sleeping was comfortable. There is some storage space in the seat in front and in an area cut out of the shell in front. Pillow, blanket, ear phones (not noise reducing), slippers and eyeshades are automatically provided. A toilet bag is offered only for flights out of Incheon.
THE FLIGHTS: Flying Down to Sydney via Seoul obviously involves four flight sectors. On each flight on boarding coats were immediately taken by a crew member and drinks (champagne, orange or apple juice or water) were offered before take-off. The food choice included canapés, salad, main course, cheeseboard and desert. The main course is usually beef or fish as well as Korean dishes Bi Bim Bab or Ssam Bab. The steaks were generally excellent (not overcooked) and in particular the Ssam Bab was great. There are 3 red wines and 2 white wines on offer besides the champagne. The Sancere 2007 and the Cellier aux Moines 2005 were very good. Service on all sectors was attentive and the crews very friendly. At the beginning of the flights the chief steward as well as the crew member responsible for you introduced themselves and at the end of each flight the cabin crew gave a personal thank you which sums up the personal service.
IFE: This is the weak point of Asiana’s in flight service. The B777 aircraft with five rows have AVOD whereas the older four row B777s are not equipped with the system. The older aircraft was in service on the flights Sydney – Seoul – London. From previous trips with Asiana I know that the programs on the AVOD is adequate but in comparison with the competition poor. The films are in English, Korean and other languages. On the older B777, it is the same sort of programming, but without the ability to stop and start the programmes.
TRANSIT AT SEOUL INCHEON: Here Asiana redeemed itself with excellent ground service. At the aircraft’s door all transit passengers were greeted by Asiana staff who directed us to the transfer desks and here the new boarding passes were issued quickly with the pre-allocated seats and we were told that the luggage would be retrieved from the belt and redirected to our Sydney flight departing in a couple of hours’ time.
THE LOUNGE IN INCHEON: The lounge is situated a floor up from the departure concourse and for us one of the best business class lounges. Very spacious and quiet even during a rush our (17.00 – 19.00 hrs). There is a dining area with a selection of some hot and cold food (Asian and Western). The bar contains the usual drinks stock. The lounge has also a rest area and quite a big TV area as well as the library which is the quiet sitting area. The business centre is in a separate room cut off from the rest of the lounge and offers free internet access and plenty of computers. A shower facility is also available.
ARRIVAL: To arrive into Sydney can be a pain when several flights arrive at the same time. Despite holding an “express card” it took 30 mins to clear immigration plus another 15 mins to clear customs. To get through in 45 minutes was not too bad in the circumstances.
RETURN FLIGHT
CHECK-IN SYDNEY: Check-in is made by Qantas staff and it took a matter of minutes. We received even a pre-filled in departure card which we more or less just had to sign. We also received already the boarding passes for the Seoul-London flight on the next day. Our luggage was checked through to Heathrow. THE LOUNGE IN INCHEON: For us one of the best business class lounges. Very spacious and quiet. There is a dining area, a rest area, TV area, a library, a business centre with free internet access and plenty of computers, showers. Bar contained the usual drinks stock and there is always some hot and cold food available.
BOARDING INCHEON and SYDNEY: Asiana uses the Air New Zealand lounge at Sydney. It was quite busy since it caters for a number of different carriers. Although very spacious it is not a good as Asiana’s own lounge on Incheon.
STOP-OVER IN INCHEON: One drawback with Asiana’s schedule is that an overnight stop in Seoul is needed when flying Sydney-London. On our return flight Incheon’s immigration was cleared in a matter of minutes. Transit passengers are handed complimentary hotel vouchers at Seoul and are bussed to the hotel. We stayed at the Seoul Royal in the city centre with Asiana also paying for dinner and breakfast. All was very well organized and the transfers were smooth.
ARRIVAL AT LONDON HEATHROW : In Heathrow we arrived slightly early and after a long walk found there were no queues at immigration. Our suitcase came on the belt just as we reached the baggage hall. All in all we took 25 minutes from leaving the aircraft to greeting our driver. That’s a new record for me at Heathrow.
VERDICT: Having now flown a total of 10 long haul sectors with Asiana. I can say of the first eight flights there was a 100 per cent product consistency. This was dented in the last two sectors by the older aircraft with no AVOD. Service all around was always very good and because of the service consistency Asiana has become one of our favorites. I only wish they can improve their IFE.
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