Korean Air is to launch scheduled Airbus A380 services between Seoul and Tokyo and Hong Kong from June 1. The airline will begin the service between Tokyo/Narita and Seoul/Incheon on June 1, with the flight leaving Incheon International Airport at 10:10 a.m.. Once the plane returns to Seoul/Incheon, the plane will then depart for Hong Kong that afternoon.
Korean Air will gradually expand its A380 service to Bangkok in July, once its second A380 arrives. The third A380 will launch service to New York from August, and fourth A380 to LA in October.
Korean Air’s A380 is one of the most spacious in the industry. Korean Air’s Business Class, called Prestige Class, will have 94 full-flat sleepers with 188cm (74 inches) between seats and extra large seat partitions offering the comfort and privacy normally reserved for First Class passengers on other airlines. The Economy Class seats are spaced at 86cm (34 inches) apart and Korean Air’s Prestige Class pitch is 188cm (74 inches).
The airline’s A380 will have a total of only 407 seats: 12 First Class and 301 Economy Class seats on the first level, and the 94 Prestige Class seats on the upper deck. It is the first airline to devote the entire A380 second level to the business flyer.
Korean Air has ordered 10 A380 aircraft with the first five to be delivered by the end of 2011 and an additional five by 2014.
The introduction of the super jumbo aircraft is expected to increase passengers from China, Japan, and East Asia transferring to the U.S. and Europe, accelerating Incheon International Airport's goal of becoming a global aviation hub.
© Japan Today
17 Comments
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ilcub76
Is this really necessary between Tokyo and Seoul? It's what, a 2-hour flight?
Perks like these are great for long-haul flights, but a little too much for hopping over the Sea of Japan, I believe.
mrsynik
Its all about bottoms on seats, not range - hence their use of huge aircraft such as this and presently 747's on these routes.
rizaric
ilcub76... it's going to
"gradually expand its A380 service to Bangkok in July, once its second A380 arrives. The third A380 will launch service to New York from August, and fourth A380 to LA in October."
oberst
Korean Air flight attendants are gorgeous, service is superb, what not to like ? Seoul to Tokyo flight probably meant to unload Korean tourists, then pick up japanese tourists to points beyond.
Knowledge
@oberst Is that a commercial? Hehe (kidding). Anyway I prefer to take JAL, better service (incredible) and no delays (rare) (sometimes they don't depend on the companies) but I love JAL, not comparison at all and I see that airplane exagerate for 2 hours. More losses for a already damaged KA
wanderlust
Should be a comfortable flight - only 407 seats. Flew on a Lufthansa A380-800 last year, 120 upstairs, and 440 cramped like cattle into the lower cabin. The seat pitch was just about from my elbow to my finger tip. Never again...
BurakuminDes
Well, at least KA isn't bankrupt like JAL! LOL
Sarge
"Economy Class seats are spaced at 86 cm apart, and Prestige Class pitch is 188 cm"
How about spacing the economy class seats at around a decent 100 cm and cutting the Prestige Class' extravagance to maybe around 150 cm?
If you're seated in the last few rows in the back of a full A-380, how long does it take to get off the plane upon arrival at the gate? 40 minutes?
wanderlust
@sarge - when they don't have air-bridges to both levels, around 20-25 minutes! But then I was behind a massive tour group of farmers from Kyushu, first time abroad for them.
jason6
Comforting news in the event of an emergency evacuation..
kawachi
@jason6: There are 16 emergency exits on an A380.
Knowledge
@BurakuminDes And? is there any relation between the "service" and the "bankrupt"? :) Not, right? Thank you. In addition, I suggest you to study about KA's numbers, the companies doesn't look so good either. Anyway, have a good life, get friends.
I keep what's truth: I prefer JAL which offers better service. Bye ^^
BurakuminDes
Knowledge - I've flown with Korean, and guess what? They were fine. None of this "damaged KA" you are talking about. I've also flown with JAL - and they were fine too but quite expensive. And guess what? They are bankrupt and unless the tie-up with American Airlines (and possibly British Airlines) helps them - they will just be a relic of an airline in a few years. Woeful, woeful japanese management ran that good airline into the ground. Enjoy flying with American Airlines, buddy!
Knowledge
@BurakuminDes Taking your comments into account, I know what you believe :) That's far from reality. I have flown with JAL, KA, KLM, AirFrance, BA, Iberia, Delta, Aeroflot, ANA, CA (China Airlines), Lufthansa, and the list of best service would be:
1.- JAL 2.- KLM 3.- LUFHTANSA 4.- ANA 5.- AIRFRANCE 6.- DELTA 7.- BA 8.- KA 9.- IBERIA 10.- CA 11.- AEROFLOTAnd I'm so sure, people who have flown with them will agree with this list.
BurakuminDes
Interesting list there, some good airlines I agree, Knowledge. Some questionable (Aeroflot?!) Anyway, I will give you my list :
1 Singapore 2 Virgin Atlantic
Cathay Pacific JAL BA ANA Thai QANTAS (I dont recommend JETSTAR!) KA Asiana These are all nice airlines to fly. Asian airlines have the best service (and hostesses), in my opinion. I have never flown with Aeroflot, so I shouldn't make nasty comments about what I've heard about them!Knowledge
Nice chart, hehe. In my case I don't know if I can recommend Aeroflot... two really bad experiences made me think a bit.
Elbuda Mexicano
Good for Korean Air, to show the Yanks that they are not going to just buy only American planes??