I recently flew Korean Air’s A380 first class from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to New York (JFK), a 12-hour 50-minute journey, excited to use my SkyPass miles. Unfortunately, this was one of the most underwhelming first-class flights I’ve experienced. The cabin felt outdated, service was lackluster, amenities were unimpressive, and the entertainment system was subpar. Korean Air seems to have abandoned efforts to make its A380 first class special. Here’s a breakdown of my experience, with a full trip report to follow.
- Outdated A380 first class cabin and seats
- Abandoned A380 first class experience
- Poor entertainment and no Wi-Fi
- Mixed food, drinks, and amenities
- Confusing first-class service
Outdated A380 First Class Cabin & Seats
Korean Air’s A380 first class features 12 seats in a 1-2-1 layout across three rows. The cabin, which I’d flown years ago, remains outdated, especially compared to modern offerings like Japan Airlines’ A350 first class. Recently reupholstered seats in dark tones clash with lingering turquoise cabin accents, creating an odd aesthetic. While I expected an older hard product, the lack of a refresh—despite plans to keep these A380s in service-surprised me.
Abandoned A380 First Class Experience
Korean Air has seemingly given up on elevating the A380 experience. The first-class bar, once a highlight with self-serve snacks and drinks, is now dim and empty, with only display bottles remaining. The upper deck business class bar, occupying significant space, is reduced to a tray of packaged snacks like pretzels, with no staff or cocktails. This lack of effort left the flight feeling neglected.
Poor Entertainment & No Wi-Fi
The A380 lacks Wi-Fi, with no plans for retrofitting. The entertainment system is outdated, with a clunky, non-touchscreen interface and a barely functional controller. The selection was limited and low-quality—I resorted to watching a generic travel show about Dubai’s tourist spots. This falls far behind competitors’ offerings.
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Mixed Food, Drinks, & Amenities
The soft product was inconsistent. The amenity kit, a rubbery pouch more suited for a water park than first class, was a letdown, with basic Atelier Cologne contents. The drink menu disappointed—champagne was Deveaux Stenope, a step down from the former Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque. However, the main meal shone, starting with a solid caviar course, followed by a tasty chestnut cream soup, salad, and a decent beef rib eye steak. Dessert included fruit and cheese.
Confusing First Class Service
The service was well-intentioned but perplexing. Flight attendants were reserved and lacked proactive attention. For example, during the second meal, I wasn’t offered a drink until after the second course was cleared, and I received only a small cocktail napkin. Empty water bottles went unnoticed despite frequent crew walk-bys, and I had to request basic items like trash removal. In the Korean Air First Lounge at Incheon, staff rushed me to order upon arrival but didn’t check on me during a six-hour layover, despite an empty lounge.
Bottom Line
While I’m grateful to have flown Korean Air’s A380 first class, it’s marketed as a premium product and falls short compared to competitors like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, or Singapore Airlines. The outdated cabin, abandoned amenities, poor entertainment, and inconsistent service made me prefer a top-tier business class, like Cathay’s Aria Suite, over this experience. On Korean Air’s flagship New York route, I expected more.
