Planes, Trains and Automobiles Pt. 1

This is intended to be the first installment of a 3 part series aimed at describing traveling within Korea. First up: planes.


While I have only had one experience on a Korean run airline, I have to say that everything I have heard supports my experience. Some of you may remember when I went to Tokyo at the end of January; for that trip, I flew Asiana Airlines. Prior to them, I have flown primarily domestic run carriers (with the exception of Lufthansa this summer and maybe a Caribbean one when I was younger), but Asiana blew everyone out of the water. I cant imagine anyone enjoying flying domestic airlines (with the exception of first of business class), but stop reading now if you do because they are in the minor leagues compared to Asiana.

First, and perhaps most importantly, they were overstaffed (some of you may be asking yourselves what this means since US carriers dont understand either). Not only were there about 20 desk agents checking people in, there were also 10 gate agents when it was time to board. Things went smoother than smooth, in addition to the desk lady honoring my request for an exit row, the gate agent offered me a paper after my ticket was scanned.

It gets better: once on board, I noticed the flight attendants didnt look leathery and on their death bed (apologies to anyone with who's mom is/was a flight attendant, I wasnt talking about them, unless their face looks like a handbag painted like a clown). In fact, Asiana's flight attendants reminded me of the glory days of the profession (see Catch Me If You Can for insight) when it was hip to be a jet setting flight attendant. Gorgeous and courteous, they catered to the passengers like they cared and in four languages. I was constantly offered beverages and snacks which leads me to my next point of praise: the food and drinks.

Not only was the alcohol free, it was quality booze. Im talking both foreign and domestic beers as well as brand name spirits, all of which had unlimited refills. I dont know whats wrong with our domestic carriers (actually I do, their industry is in economic turmoil and is desperate need of cutting costs), but drinks on the house go a long way. Not even on my flight to Korea on United, which lasted about 13 hrs, were their any complimentary drinks. Also, the food was delicious. Im talking food that filled me up and that I could actually recognize without consulting the menu. And no, I didnt have to pay extra for it. Both entrees were fish, but the side items ranged from salad to noodles and was always accompanied by bread, dessert and rice (it is Asia after all). Take a look at this picture and tell me you wouldnt eat this.


Thats what I thought.

I guess the thing I was most impressed with was the lack of a language barrier. I was expecting them to be proficient in Korean and Japanese, but I was pleasantly surprised by their extensive knowledge of English. From checking in to disembarking, not once did a staff member have to consult another to translate anything I said. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Alright, that concludes part one, I will be flying Korean Air on my trip to Cambodia in July, so hopefully they live up to my newly raised standards.