Review: Asiana Airbus A330 Business Class (SGN-ICN)
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That’s it, it’s time to leave Vietnam after 3 weeks of travel in the region. Before crossing the Pacific, a first flight between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Seoul (ICN) on Asiana Airlines.
A “regional” flight on Asiana Airlines in Business Class – A330
After a quick visit to the two lounges available to us (one with our business class ticket on Asiana Airlines, the other via Priority Pass), we headed to our gate, number 20.
While going down the escalator, we have a nice view of our plane of the day: an Airbus A330 of Asiana Airlines.
Boarding
Many people are already present for the boarding. Passengers travelling with children will board at the same time as the business class.
Last glimpse on the outside of the plane. In order to facilitate the boarding process, 2 gates will be used: one for business class, the other for economy class:
The business cabin
Once through the door, we won’t have many meters to go: we will be in the first row. Alexandra then embarks on a long process of selecting the seat out of the 4 at our disposal (3 in reality, but 1 was kindly “blocked” for us at check-in to be comfortable with baby).
#An AvGeek by nature, I like my seat “1A” on the window side.
The legroom is very important…
… more than second place.
The advantage of the other ranks over the first? The screens are closer together (and lower, especially if you’re traveling with children), and there are storage bins.
A view on the other side of the business cabin:
This is not the newest aircraft in the Asiana Airlines fleet (which includes A380s and A350s). The lighting is not the most elegant.
All the little family being now settled, it is time for me to multiply the photos of details on what is offered by Asiana Airlines.
The retractable shelf is a good size.
And as you can see, there is no shortage of legroom! Note that it is possible to install a baby bed in front of each double seat in row 1.
The remote control is located in the armrest, which also contains the seat adjustment buttons.
On the inside right of the chair, there are the connections: USB, electrical and audio. Not very accessible.
The screen is a good size but not the best resolution.
Let’s go back to the seat: it’s not a 180-degree flat bed chair. However, it is rather comfortable, especially for the 5 hours of flights we will make this afternoon.
A removable partition allows you to keep some privacy if you travel alone.
During the boarding process, the Asiana Airlines crew offers us champagne and soft drinks. The now classic photo:
No “business” kit. Only slippers and headphones (of poor quality).
Take-off
We leave the door on time.
In front of us for takeoff, a Singapore Airlines plane (which goes to Singapore, a route for which we have already made a report).
A view from my 1A seat as we line up on the runway.
We see the international terminal. It is about 35 degrees at this time. I have a little thought then for my mother who stayed here to wait for her flight back to Europe on Turkish Airlines: a long flight since it makes a stopover in Hanoi before heading to Istanbul. In fact, we will arrive almost 6 hours before her in San Francisco!
Behind us, a Cathay Pacific aircraft heading to Hong Kong.
Goodbye Saigon!
In-flight service
Shortly after the takeoff, the flight attendants will come to install… not without difficulty the baby bed / bassinette for Arthur.
In flight
The business cabin was almost full. Appreciated: the flight attendants will ask to close all the windows to allow people who wish to rest (convenient for us with children).
A situation that parents must know: the “alternating custody” of children during the meal of the spouse! Sometimes to me…
…sometimes to her, with a perfect disposition!
These 5 hours of flight will pass relatively quickly, here we are already arrived in Seoul with Pyongyang a little more in the north.
Time difference obliges (+2h), it is already dark…. and cold (about 5 degrees, quite a contrast with Vietnam).
Bottom line
A smooth regional / intra-Asian flight on Asiana Airlines. The service on board was exemplary. However, it should be noted that the age of the A330 of Asiana Airlines is felt. But it’s still a very decent product in Asia that I recommend if you need to use your Aeroplan points!
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,360Total$1,360$680 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,360
- Welcome offerAfter $15,000 in 3 months
- Up to 120,000 points
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- Annual fee
- $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
