March 2nd, 2016
Korean Air 608 Hong Kong (HKG) - Seoul (ICN) Departure: 0112 Arrival: 0509 Duration: 2:57 Aircraft: Boeing 747-8B5 (74H)
Registration: HL7633 Seat: 1A (First Class)
Last August, Korean Air has received its first shiny Boeing 747-8i passenger carrier. It was the third airliner to implement the use of B747-8i. (Lufthansa was the launch customer with the most fleet, followed by Air China and then Korean Air). Due to the recognition for being an inefficient aircraft, most of them were delivered as freightliners by numerous airliners (B747-8Fs) rather than a passenger carrier.
Korean Air currently ordered 10 fleets with 5 of them already delivered. They are configured with 368 seats, three class configuration. Installed in the aircraft, the seats are all upgraded new economy, business and first. All seats have 110V AC power outlets and personal AVOD entertainment systems.
As a Korean Air SKYPASS member, I have used Korean Air as my main carrier to travel around the world. Most of the time I was in either seating on economy class or business class. But this time, I had a chance to get on board with the new first class in a brand new (4 months old) plane.
Instead of having 2-2 cabin layout on the previous 747-400s, the new 747-8is has 1-1 layout making the first class premium with added privacy. There are 6 flat bed, sliding-door suites (12 in the old 747s) with massive 83 inches of pitch and 20.1 inches of width. The aircraft also features Dreamliner-inspired interior which has curved, upswet ceiling with overhead compartment removed for more space.
First class is located on the nose section of the aircraft. But there are advantages and drawbacks in this area. I was assigned on seat 1A which was the bulkhead area giving me more privacy compared to seats at row 2 and 3. But it was really bumpy during takeoffs and landings since the nose gear is directly below the first class compartment. I can feel the wheel rolling on the rugged? taxiways. Also during banking (turning right or left), there seems to be an illusion that the aircraft is being banked in a steep angle. Nevertheless, you will forget about all these things once cabin services start.
First class seats located at the nose section. Frequent Korean Air flyers know that row 1 is the best spot on the B777s or A380s but on the B747-8, the fuselage shrinks so much by the nose bulkhead that the seats were narrow and smaller compared to row 2 and 3s. When you pick your seats consider the fact regarding the bulkhead seats. There is a storage space on the bulkhead area to store cabin-sized baggages (About 4 cabin luggages can it in the space).
My seat at 1A. There will be a do not disturb light illumating here when turned on. Elegant and smoothly finished white colored partition make the suite unique and special.
Typical Korean Air first class suite. Its siganature bluish-green color combined with white leathery partition gave a restful atmosphere. As you can see in the picture above, the fuselage reduces starting from the window by the lamp.
Seats were huge enough to fit two of me. Even if you are more than 6 feet tall, you will be surrounded inside the suite. Nobody will see your head above the partition. That is how big and tall this suite is.
Above my right armrest, there were 2 metal protruding inwards. One was a reading light and the other for air vent. I guess there is a air duct by the wall that continues around the suite . Lights were bright and you can control the intensity of the light (Full, medium, low and off) using the button on the personal storage area.
There are three storage spaces in the first class. On the first storage, there are your in-flight entertainment remote located, headphone jacks, USB ports and variety of buttons to customize your seat, to set do not disturb sign outside the seat and to turn on/off the lights under the monitor.
This is another storage space. It was about 20 inches (50cm) long, 3-4 inches (7-10cm) wide and 4 inches (10cm) deep. I have no idea which personal belongings I should put it in such a narrow space. I guess I can only stow passports or my small digital camera in there.
Finally the storage beside the remote controller. In here the storage was deep enough to store small books, tablets or your mobile devices. All storages are secured with a metal locks on each individual storage covers. There are three different buttons with an arrow in the middle section to click open each storages (Must apply some pressure to make these covers pop up).
A peek of seat 1J. You can see the handle for the sliding door on each side. There is a lock that holds the door to prevent sliding during takeoffs and landings. Flight attendants will help unlock it when you request them. The rest of the designs were exactly same as my seat.
With the sliding door closed, you are in total privacy with no one to bother you. Really impressive upgrades by Korean Air.
The partition on each seat is more than 25 inches (63cm) high. I raised my hands to show how tall it was.
In-Flight Meals:
A full course meal were served during my 3 hours flight. From salads to steaks. It was a big meal at 2A.M. in the morning. I was half asleep and my taste buds offline to my brain by the time meals came out so I was not sure whether the foods were really delicious.
The famous macadamia nut that shocked the airline industry (also called nut-rage incident) and led Korean Air's VP to be sentenced in 2015. Luckily, mine was served in a plate instead of original packaging. Macadamia nuts are given before flight as welcome snacks.
Table set up before the meal. The tray table is located inside a compartment by the third window in front of you and is a push-pull type. It has distinctive wood designs which is famous in South Korea. It gives more luxurious feeling. But its huge ize and heavy weight makes it hard to pull it out.
Being half asleep, I was desperately waiting for the meal to be served.
Firstly, the appetizer: Seared scallop with salmon tartar served with glazed balsamic. You can also taste different wines on board first before finilazing your decision.
Then the main course: Grilled beef tenderloin with port wine sauce served with gratin dauphinois potato, seasoned French bean and roasted vine ripened grape tomato.
Tenderloin steak, medium rare cooked, was really soft to have at midnight.
Lastly, seasonal fresh fruit were served.
In-Flight Entertainment:
Korean Air's reformed in-flight AVOD system provided wide selection of movies, tv series, musics and games. The TV monitor has also increased 1 inch to 24 inches and touch screen remote controller has been implemented in each seat. Instead of currently existing impact sensing touch screen, the 747-8s has implemented a capacitive sensing touch screen on the TV monitor.
Touch screen remote controller. Most of the first class Kosmo Suite 1.0 has a remote controller which is similar to the ones in economy class. But soon all first and business class seats will have touch screen remote controllers as Korean Air is installing new Kosmo Suite 2.0 on current B777s and A330s.
Instead of pressing buttons to choose your favorite shows, now you can just slide and touch it. Much more time saving and comfortable.
Star Wars on huge 24 inch screen. Its more like private cinema during the flight. Seat back and enjoy!
I was also provided with Korean Air marked, Bose noise cancelling headphone. Sounds were clean without noise during the whole movie.
Lavatories:
In the lavatory, some amenities are provided such as toothbrush, mouth wash, razors and lotions. The water faucet is touchless and you can adjust the temperature by pressing the blue and red dots.
Clean and well designed first class lavatory. There are a lot of paper towels, tissue rolls and facial tissues.
Small seat beside the toilet seat to change clothings or shoes. Note the blue sensor on the top right side. The toilet is flushed with a sensor which you just have to place your hand near the touch sensor.
Summary:
Korean Air has invested a lot to design this beautiful suite and the result is wonderful. In fact, its way better than the previous Kosmo Suites.
My flight was only 3 hours flight from Hong Kong to Seoul. With full pax on board the first class, I did not expect that much servces. There were no amenities nor the mattress for bedding (These are provided when the flight is more than 6 hours). But all flight attendants were extremely friendly until I feel burdened with all the loyal services towards the passengers. The thing that impressed me was the meal. I know there are full course meals provided on the day and evening flights but surprisingly, it was same on the midnight flight. I strongly recommend you to try once experiencing the crews commitment!
There are only small number of fleets with upgraded seats as of now, so when you book a flight, be aware which type of aircraft is used in the route you are planning to travel. As I mentioned above, only B747-8s and some B777-300ERs has first class Kosmo Suite 2.0 installed while the remaining fleet goes with the old version.
*There is a other review of 747-8i I have used to go to Singapore. Its a similar review but there are some difference between short haul and long haul flights in terms of services and meals.*