Korean Air – one of the major flight companies of Asia and the flag carrier of South Korea. Their main hub is set at the Seoul-Incheon International Airport. As a passenger and cargo airline, the airline serves over 100 domestic and international destinations.
Long-haul flights are typically hard to survive through so it’s natural that you want to obtain the maximum comfort at first or business class. But what type of a ticket should you choose? In this article, we’d like to analyze the difference between business class and first class offered by Korean Air.
Look at the table below for the beginning. It summarizes the difference between first class and business class (the latter is actually called Prestige Class). Then check out the full review below, where we explain what this all is about. The detailed information is also available on Korean Air’s website.
|
Korean Air Business vs First Class On the Ground |
||
|
# |
First Class |
Prestige Class |
| Customer Rating | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Booking Advantages | Select your seat 24 hours prior to departure and accrue miles with the special SKYPASS program | Select your seat 24 hours prior to departure and accrue miles with the special SKYPASS program |
| Check-in | Check in at the first class counter | Check in at the Prestige class counter |
| Baggage Services | Priority baggage service and baggage wrapping | Priority baggage service |
| Lounges | Access to Korean Air Premium Lounge at the Incheon Airport | Access to Korean Air Premium Lounge at the Incheon Airport |
| Staying Fresh | Premium Arrival Shower Service | Premium Arrival Shower Service |
| Dining Options | Have an exquisite dinner at the Premium Lounge | Have an exquisite dinner at the Premium Lounge
On a domestic flight from Seoul, you will be provided with snacks and beverages |
| Boarding | Board your plane on a priority basis
Take the special advantage – KAL Premium Care service |
Board your plane on a priority basis |
|
Korean Air Business vs First Class In the Air |
||
|
# |
First Class |
Prestige Class |
| Seats | Depending on the aircraft type: Kosmo Suites, Kosmo Suites 2.0, Kosmo Sleeper, Sleeper, Sleeper (Ottoman) | Depending on the aircraft type: Prestige Suites, Prestige Sleeper, Prestige Plus, B737 Prestige Seat |
| Work and Entertainment | All seats are equipped with individual power outlets and LCD monitors, lighting-sound systems, and additional workspace | All seats are equipped with individual power outlets and LCD monitors, lighting-sound systems, and additional workspace |
| Food | Restaurant-quality Western and Asian traditional meals and premium wines from France, Italy, Germany, and California | Restaurant-quality Western and Asian traditional meals and premium wines from France, Italy, Germany, and California |
| Amenities | Amenity Kit designed by DAVI is provided if the duration of your flight is more than 6 hours | Amenity Kit designed by DAVI is provided if you travel from Asia to Europe, America, Oceania, or the Middle East |
| Mood Lighting | Fully adjustable individual lighting with the gradual dimming-brightening option | Fully adjustable individual lighting with the gradual dimming-brightening option |
| Additional Services | Duvet Service on flights from Asia to Europe, America, Oceania, and the Middle East Comfort ClothingWake-up service |
Wake-up service |
| Special Facilities | Restrooms for disabled passengers | Restrooms for disabled passengers |
| On-board Lounge | Dream Lounge “Celestial Bar” available on A380 airplanes | |
|
Korean Air Business vs First Class Visual Differences |
|
|
First Class |
Prestige Class |
| Kosmo Suites
|
Prestige Suites
|
| Kosmo Suites 2.0
|
Prestige Sleeper
|
| Kosmo Sleeper
|
B737 Prestige Seat
|
First vs Business Class Korean Air: Advantages
Advanced seat reservation
As a first class or business class passenger, you start getting perks from the very beginning. First of all, you can choose any seat you want and make a reservation within 24 hours before your flight takes off – no need to wait for a check-in officer to assign you a random seat. You can also join the airline’s loyalty program, SKY PASS, which enables you to accrue miles.
Special offer for first class travellers
Upon you arrival at the Incheon Airport, if you are a first class passenger, you can use the exclusive KAL Premium Care service – an employee of Korean Air will assist you in the entire registration and boarding process.
Premium Lounge access for working and relaxation
A premium-class trip is unimaginable without using VIP lounges. Korean Air invites you to have a special experience by visiting First Class Premium Lounge or Prestige Business Class Premium Lounge at the Incheon Airport. Both lounges provide everything you need to relax or work before your flight. There are soft chairs separated with privacy partitions, power outlets, well-equipped hygiene rooms, and buffets offering exquisite meals and beverages. You can watch TV in a special room, use the entertainment system and free Wi-Fi.
Priority check-in and boarding
Finally, whether you fly first or business class, you will check in at the special counter with no queue and your baggage will be handled on a priority basis. If you fly Korean Air first class, there is also a baggage wrapping service so your bags won’t get damaged or dirty on accidence. And, of course, priority boarding is waiting for you!
Arrival services to keep your body fresh
If you travel first or business class to Seoul with Korean Air, there is a great opportunity to use the Premium Arrival Shower Service. It means you can take a shower or visit a sauna at the Grand Hyatt Incheon Hotel for absolutely free.
Comfort and privacy
Korean Air knows how much privacy means to you so they offer super comfortable suites. There are a few types of those depending on what type of aircraft you fly.
First class offers these five types:
- – Kosmo Suites featuring a fully-flat seat equipped with super adjustable footrest and back support
- – Kosmo Suites 2.0 featuring two seats separated with a privacy partition and a sliding door through which you can see outside (but not inside)
- – Kosmo Sleeper containing 2 unique bed-type seats
- – Sleeper with a fully-flat seat
- – Sleeper (Ottoman) that presents a lie-flat seat with footstools and extra space to keep your luggage
Prestige class cabins provide four types:
- – Prestige Suites offering a fully-flat seat and direct aisle access
- – Prestige Sleeper offering fully-flat seat with adjustable back support and footrest
- – Prestige Plus equipped with a bed-type seat
- – B737 Prestige Seat available exclusively on Boeing 737 airplanes. It may be equipped or not equipped with a personal LCD monitor on particular aircraft
- – Excellent food cooked from organic ingredients
Korean Air’s onboard meals were several times presented with prestigious Mercury Award: its quality is just the same as at a luxury restaurant. The airline worked out the special “From Farm to Flight” program for first and business class travelers: all food is cooked from only fresh and organically grown ingredients. The menu comprises exquisite meals of world cuisines, as well as a wide selection of traditional Korean meals and delights. Likewise, you will be offered to try premium-class wines and champagne on board.
Everything you need to enjoy comfort
If your flight in first class with Korean Air takes over 6 hours, you receive the fancy Amenity Kit from DAVI that includes 5 cosmetic items, an eye mask, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Besides, flight attendants will give you a soft duvet of the excellent quality and special clothes from Ferre if you fly from Asia to Europe, America, Oceania, and the Middle East.
Business class passengers get the DAVI’s Amenity Kit on flights to Europe, America, Oceania, or the Middle East. The only difference between first class and prestige class kits is that the latter has 3 cosmetic items.
Both first and business class offer the wake-up service so you can always keep up with your preferred schedule. Request it anytime and Korean Air cabin crew will do the rest.
Work and have fun in the air
Yes, longhaul flights might be tedious if there’s no way to kill your time. Korean Air took care of it: all seats have the power supply so you can recharge your gadgets throughout the trip. Local power outlets provide 100-150W and are compatible with almost all types of plugs.
There is always large extra space and working table with a personal LCD monitor to help you effectively manage your tasks. Lighting in each suite works in different modes: whether you want to read, to work, or sleep, the lamps adjust to your individual needs. They dim and brighten gradually so your eyes have time to adapt.
Each passenger gets an individual ear-friendly headset and every seat is equipped with a multifunctional controller. The airline uses the AVOD (audio/video on demand) system: there is a great selection of movies from all around the world, sports programs, music, and games.
How about reading? Morning Calm, an exclusive airline’s in-flight magazine, is available in first and business class lounges and onboard. It gathers the latest and most interesting articles on various topics in Korean and English and tells about best Korean sites. The e-Book option has also become available recently.
Exclusive option for those who go by A380 airplanes
Aircraft A380 feature Dream Lounge called “Celestial Bar”. This is an opulently designed separate zone where clients and their travel companions enjoy great cocktails within each flight. Accessible by both first and prestige class passengers.
Korean Air Business vs First Class: Let’s Wrap It Up
There is indeed not that huge difference between first and business class conditions offered by Korean Air. Regardless of what travel class you choose, you will be treated as a VIP guest and get a great many exclusive advantages. But what can you do about ticket prices? People usually think flying premium class isn’t affordable at all. However, there are numerous tricks you can use to find cheap first or business class deals. Read our other guides and learn how to make your traveling even more exciting!
Top Destinations for Business Class and First Class Travel in 2021
Rome, Yangon, Lucerne, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Edinburgh, Dubai, Paris, Bangkok, Johannesburg, Budapest, Osaka, Taipei, Brussels, Stockholm, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Helsinki, Vienna, Brisbane, Reykjavik, Venice, Guangzhou, Perth, Milan, Seoul, , Glasgow, Madrid, Munich, Nice, Beijing, Dusseldorf, Iceland, Cairo, Melbourne, Moscow, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nuremberg, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Israel, Norway
Cheap First Class will take you to London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York or Hong Kong cheap! Get to the global capital destinations easily and forget about the overly-priced services of the vast majority of air flight companies online! Save up to 70% of your money with Cheap First Class luxury travel!
Cheap First Class is Your Reliable Luxury Travel Partner
Travel with confidence, plan your luxury air trip, find the cheapest first class and business class flight deals and book great value fares to 60+ destinations with Cheap First Class!
Need help with your trip? Here are answers to FAQs for all your travel!
