Hello, and welcome to a series of flight-reports chronicling a quick trip to Hong Kong in business class with Delta and Korean.
Here’s the rundown of what’s already happened, and what comes next.
DL2551 YYZ-ATL 1/29/2017 - Right here
KE36 ATL-ICN 1/29/2017 - Right here
KE607 ICN-HKG 1/30/2017 - Right here
KE608 HKG-ICN 2/1/2017 - Right here
DL158 ICN-DTW 2/1/2017 - You are here
DL6197 DTW-YYZ 2/1/2017 - Skipping this one. Check this one out for something very similar on the same route.
It’s been a while since I updated this trip, but I wanted to get it done. Better late than never, I figure.
When last we saw each other, your intrepid flight-reporter had just arrived in the satellite terminal at ICN from whence non-Korean (the nationality, not the airline) carriers depart at ICN after a short red-eye trip up from Hong Kong. Things are pretty quiet, as it’s just a few minutes past 6:00 am.
Korean operates a lounge out at this satellite terminal, mostly for the benefit (I should imagine) of passengers of its SkyTeam partners who may be departing or transiting via this terminal, such as myself. It’s easy to find — just up an escalator near gate 115, which is just off to the side of the centre of the terminal.
Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t open until 6:30 am. So I head over to one of the lounge areas on the mezzanine level here and have a seat. This is, IMHO, one of the great features of ICN — the amount of seating and even lay-down lounges available in quiet areas of the concourse. This seating area is basically empty at this hours. The more bed-like lounges? Not so much empty.
It’s quiet down below.
I head back over to the lounge a few minutes before 6:30, just as a lounge agent is taking down the “we open at 6:30” sign, and opening the front doors, so I’m the first person into the lounge. I win a prize! (Unfortunately, that prize is just the ability to grab some pics of the lounge without disturbing my fellow lounge-goers.
This is a decent size lounge, very open and air, with lots of wood tones, white, and some KE teal as well. There are a fair number of different seating options to meet just about any preference, but they could really use more seats with power outlets — they’re very much at a premium, which is disappointing for what otherwise feels like a fairly modern lounge.
Reading materials, and a KE A380 model.
Near the back of the lounge, there’s this little TV lounge room.
More reading materials, this time with a KE 788, which I believe is something that doesn’t really exist. From what I understand, they’ve got one 788, which is not in use and is being converted to a VIP charter configuration. The rest of its soon-to-arrive 787 fleet will be of the -9 variety.
Yeah, like this one. Thanks for helping me make my point, KE.
The buffet area is fairly large, so let’s see what’s on the menu for breakfast.
First, the bar area, which is small but has a few options, and come cocktail snacks. The bubbles on offer are Pink Elephant Rosé. Interesting.
Instant noodles and hot water with which to reconstitute them.
A nice coffee machine.
Teas and soft drinks.
Beer taps and a cooler that mostly contains glasses and little cups of water.
Out on the island in the middle of the buffet, there are some salad fixings.
Fruits, veggies, yogurt, and milk.
And a few cereal options.
Over on the far side, some snack items — nacho chips and cookies.
Baked good, although I think the signs might be mixed up.
Juices.
Black sesame porridge.
An egg scramble with onions.
Mixed veggies.
And “sweet pumpkin croquettes,” which I find interesting, although not surprising, given the prominent role pumpkin plays in Korean cuisine.
It’s not exactly over-the-top, but I think it’s sufficient options for food for a “secondary” lounge like this, and I feel like there’s enough variety to satisfy most.
I pick myself a seat (which has access to a plug) ion a simple white desk that faces the windows. Airside views are great, with a closeup look at ground operations out here at the satellite terminal, and a full view of the main terminal in the distance. It’s a fun place to watch airport operations.
My breakfast. I thought it was all pretty good, and enjoy the pumpkin croquette and the egg scramble, in particular.
A bit later, a capuccino and a blueberry muffin. The former is very good. The latter is very generic.
WiFi is wide open, but is fast. The narrowbody below my seat has been upgraded to a Vietnam A321 by this point.
Eventually, I’m not the only person in the lounge — in fact, there’s one other passenger by the time I was done with my initial photo run. But it never gets really busy in the time I’m there, from 6:30 until about 10:20. I get some work done, edit some photos, and finish writing the HKG-ICN flight-report. I’m actually keeping up with this trip! (Okay… I *WAS* keeping up on this trip.)
I’m sure January/February isn’t exactly prime time for travel between the US and Korea, and it is Wednesday, so likely a softer day in general for business travel, but in the Delta app, it looks like this flight today is going to be light load, with 52 seats available in the main cabin, 11 in Comfort+, and whopping 32 of 48 Delta One seats unclaimed, with no apparent wait list for certificate or mileage upgrades, and that’s with less than three hours to departure. So potentially, it’s a good day to be nonrev flying this route.
With about 80 minutes to go before boarding, I decide it’s time to check out the shower facilities. I request a key, and am given a fancy keycard for the digital locks on the shower rooms. My first reaction inside: For an airline that’s all about the bright teal, and white and cream, and light wood floors, they sure went with “just this side of sensory deprivation chamber” for this shower room. Still, it’s reasonably well-appointed.
Soft plastic slippers, as seems to be the habit in Korea. These things really skeev me out for some reason. I’m sure they’re cleaned thoroughly between users, but still. Ick.
Sink and amenities. Their decision to offer shaving cream encourages me to get my razor out of my bag, and I feel better for having a good shave.
The shower itself is good — it gets decently hot, and the water pressure is just about right. A pretty nice lounge shower experience.
Back at the same seat as before, and there’s always something to watch out the window if you’re entertained by aircraft comings and goings. And I am. At one point, a Vietnam A350 rolls by, and I add that (and maybe their 789 too) to my “list of airliners I’d really like to sample at some point.” I love the windows — it’s just too bad that basically for the whole time I’m in the lounge (or at least the whole time post-sunrise) I’m staring directly into the sun. This would be an even better place to watch from in the afternoon.
At this point, I’m surprised how refreshed I feel, having not slept very much in the preceding 26 hours or so, except for the brief nap during the last hour of my HKG-ICN flight. I’m sure once I’m on my 744 homewards bound, and get a meal into me, this too shall pass. At least I hope so. I have to sleep at some point.
With about 15 minutes to boarding, I head out of the lounge to take a little stroll around the terminal and see what I can see. Let’s start with Garuda loading up to head back to Indonesia.
A beautiful 359 from Vietnam.
AirAsia A330.
And another, this one from Malaysia.
On the other side of the terminal, another Vietnam A350. Surprised to see two of them here are the same time.
Who’s that pushing back behind this SQ 777. What are you doing out here, hometown plane?
I guess there are only so many A380 gates at ICN, so perhaps this Whalebus had to use this gate with other occupied?
And finally, look who I found. They’re letting anyone fly into Incheon these days!
As I approach the gate, Lineups are already starting with three zones — the “Premium” lineup for Diamond Medallion and Delta One customers, the Sky Priority lane for other Medallions and Comfort+ pax, and the Unwashed Masses lineup, which is by far the longest. As I approach, they make an announcement for all passengers connecting from other airlines to check in at their transit desk, to the left of the main gate. So I do, and my boarding pass is checked, and marked up. A “PM” is written in, presumably for Platinum Medallion, and the gate is corrected from 121 to 122. But I probably already knew that, since I was at gate 122. The agent working the transit desk then escorts me over to the relatively short line for DM and D1 pax, where we wait a few minutes before boarding begins.
But soon enough, I’m on way down the escalator for boarding. One last shot to get a 747 nose view from the glassed-in jetways at ICN. This will be my fourth consecutive 747 segment. Sadly, I couldn’t figure out a way to get either YYZ-ATL or DTW-YYZ on a 747.
Flight: DL158
From: Seoul Incheon (ICN)
To: Detroit Wayne (DTW)
Date: 2/1/2017
Aircraft: Boeing 747-400
Registration: N674US
Seat: 77K
ATD (STD): 11:48 (11:25)
ATA (STA): 9:52 (10:15)
After making my way through the downstairs D1 cabin, I head upstairs, and check into seat 77K, a starboard window seat just behind the emergency exit upstairs on the DL 744 — basically the same place as my seat on the KE 74H on the previous sector. It has has been well prepared for my arrival, it would appear.
The aircraft, which arrived into Seoul the day before, was very cold upon boarding, and would remain pretty cold (including metal surfaces on the seat edge) until after pushback, when the engines were on and things brought up to temperature pretty quickly.
The seat is covered with bedding, all flying the flag of Delta’s “partnership” with Westin on bedding, carrying the “Heavenly In-Flight” banner. There’s a very nice duvet and two pillows, a small “back support” pillow that’s perfect for behind the small of my back, and a very large, very nice main pillow. Delta does business class bedding very well, in my opinion.
The menu, an amenity kit, slippers, and “sweet and spicy” pecans all await me at my seat.
As do a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, which aren’t the best you’ll ever see, but are pretty comfortable, and good enough for me to keep my Bose set in my bag. Here, they’re hung on the reading light when I arrive.
Legroom shot.
And a look into the footwell. It looks small, but at 5’11”, I didn’t find it a problem when it came time to sleep. More on that later.
Seat controls, old-school wired IFE, and “deploy screen” button are located on the forward wall of the seat.
And the IFE screen immediately in front of that. Unfortunately, IFE is not activated during boarding, and there’s just these commercials on a loop, while boarding music plays.
All of your ports — headphone, power and USB — are in the rear outside wall of the seat, with a small open bin area above it, perhaps for stowing things like headsets and cables. But not during taxi, takeoff and landing, of course.
The Delta One slippers are well-padded and comfortable, although as with most airline slippers, run a little small for my feet.
The small bin by the outside armrest on this seat contains a bottle of Evian.
Outside my window, there’s nobody next door, and a TG A330 a couple of gates over.
And then there’s the menu, which starts with the Korean meal set.
And then the Western meal.
Desserts and pre-arrival meal.
Beverages list.
And wine list.
The amenity kit, deconstructed. About what one would expect. I love that Delta includes a pen. Bonus for the fact that it’s a good pen. And it’s a nice touch having the “re-use me” reminder on the paper band wrapped around it.
Meanwhile, a check in the Delta app reveals that J has gone from 32 seats available to 16 seats available in the last hour, with all but one of those new seat assignments coming from the Standby list rather than the Upgrade list. Looks like it’s a good day to be a nonrev on this route, indeed. In fact, the woman sitting across from me in 77A is clearly a nonrev and appears to be a well-known character or minor Delta celebrity, as all the flight attendants and even the flight crew pop by to say hi during boarding.
Around this time, one of the flight attendants does a pre-departure beverages run, but somehow misses me.
Meal orders are taken on the ground, with the same flight attendant who did the drinks run going back and forth, I’m not sure if she was taking orders by status, by fare class, or what… but she was not taking the shortest-possible route, that’s for sure. She checks in with me fairly early, confirming that I’ve pre-ordered the Korean meal. Having seat what the Korean meal is, I’m of mixed emotions on it — on the one hand, I’m kind of interested to see how Delta’s interpretation of bibimbap compares to that on KE or OZ. On the other hand, it would appear that according to airlines, Koreans eat nothing but bibimbap, ever.
Eventually, I flag down the other flight attendant working the upper deck, and ask for a glass of champagne. She seems genuinely shocked and profusely apologetic that I was missed the first time, and comes back with a tray full of PDB options.
A couple of minutes later, she returns, and hands me another glass, repeating that she’s sorry I was missed the first time, and saying she’d just have to throw these out if nobody was taking them, so I might as well enjoy.
She then sets up immediately in front of me with the belt buckle, oxygen mask, lifejacket and other safety demo gear. “Video’s not working,” she says to me, before quickly clarifying “For the safety video, I mean. You’ll be able to watch all the movies you’d like in-flight.” Well, that’s good.
Shortly after they get done the manual safety demo, the safety video plays on the IFE screen anyways. So we were well-briefed for this flight.
As we push back, Alitalia has pulled in beside us.
Goodbye, ICN.
Taxiing out past the end of the satellite terminal.
And getting lined up for departure.
Coming at the runway from the other direction, an OZ Cargo 767. It’s surprising to see a 763 without winglets in this day and age, although I guess the remaining mainline AC 763s haven’t yet been updated with winglets, either.
A powerful 744 roll, and we’re off!
Once we’re off the ground, the IFE kicks in. It’s the same interface as on just about every Delta aircraft.
The movie selection is less than impressive, and Delta does a poor job of categorizing films to make it easier to find what you want — all new releases are lumped in together regardless of language, for example. Eventually, I choose Denial, a nice light film about fighting Holocaust deniers, to start my flight.
A look out the window at the rugged terrain of Korea as we approach cruising altitude.
Service quickly begins with hot — and I mean HOT — towel service.
The too-small-for-the-table tablecloth is then set, drinks offered from the cart, and the Settling In starter presented. I ask for a glass of ice water, and a Woodford with just a little bit of ice.
The starter salmon bundle is quite tasty, especially paired with the ginger sauce. It’s a nice light bite.
When I’m done that, the salad and soup are presented. I’m surprised to be offered the soup, as it’s not really “included” in the Korean meal according to the menu, but hey, I’ll take it. A bread basket run is also provided, and drinks are refilled, including both of us having a go at one mini-bottle of Woodford that just doesn’t want to be opened. Eventually, another one is selected and it’s much more co-operative.
The carrot and celery soup, poured from a Thermos, is quite good.
The salad is not entirely my speed, mostly because I’m not a big fan of beets, but I give them credit for at least presenting a fresh and interesting salad.
The bread is not great, even a little on the stale side.
When I’m done, my table is quickly cleared, and my main course provided.
The bibmbap setup.
Seaweed soup, which is quite nice — and I suppose that’s why the Korean meal isn’t “supposed” to get the carrot and celery soup.
And, of course, rice.
Missing are the Korean side dishes, and most importantly, the gochujang and sesame oil. I point out these are missing, and they’re quickly brought to me. The pickles are about as expected, the dried shrimp and almonds pretty good, and they aren’t kidding about the “hot and spicy” burdock. It is, indeed, quite a hit of heat, but also quite good.
The bimbap, mixed up and appropriately sesame oiled and gochujanged. I thought the Delta interpretation of the bibimbap was about on part with KE and OZ in business class, perhaps even a little bit better. I quite enjoyed it. Although I was surprised not to be presented chop sticks. But that’s probably for the best anyway.
After that’s done, cheese and dessert are presented together. I take the cheese, and also ask for a sundae with “the works.” The cheese course is very good, but then I really like both pepper jack and red Leicester.
The sundae is just as expected, quite delicious.
All in all, a pretty satisfying meal, and great service from the two flight attendants working the upper deck.
After dinner, it’s time for a quick trip to the lav. There are two upstairs behind the flight deck but in front of the cabin, and neither are anything special, given the tight space available upstairs.
With my movie over, I decide it’s time to get comfortable and see if I can’t get some sleep — if I can pull it off, it’s just about perfectly times, as we’re about 10 hours from Detroit, and it’s late evening Eastern time.
Put down into bed mode, I find the seat quite comfortable. It’s definitely not as wide as the Apex seat on the KE 74H, but I have no trouble getting comfortable sleeping positions on my back, stomach, or either side.
I wake up briefly about six hours later, as we’re over eastern Alaska or northern BC. I take a drink of water from my water bottle to try to relieve the inevitable “sleeping on a plane” dry mouth, and decide to see if I can get a bit more sleep while I’m at it.
Turns out I can, and I take up just over two hours of Detroit, as we’re entering US airspace from the north. A very good sleep experience. I love Delta’s Delta One bedding, both the duvet, and especially the nice big soft pillow.
I look for a movie that will fill the remaining time, and after flipping through a few items which “have been edited for content,” ultimately select Mr. Church. It’s weird seeing Eddie Murphy in a serious dramatic role, but I think he’s pretty good at it.
WiFi is available on this flight, and I buy a cheap one-hour pass to get some e-mail done, check in with home, and be ready for the day on Eastern time. It’s pretty easy to connect, and the speed is acceptable, for in-flight WiFi. Oh look, Corporate shot time!
Just under 90 minutes out of Detroit, the lights start to come up, and clearly it’s mealtime. and that’s good, because I’m getting hungry. Service starts with another very hot hot towel.
The table is then set, and drinks offered. I’m in a breakfast mood, so I opt for orange juice and a black coffee.
Breakfast is then presented on one tray. I choose to have the “Amish egg bake casserole.”
I really like the main, and find it a nice change from the typical in-flight omelet. It’s cheesy and tasty, although a bit on the salty side for me. The tomato sauce included looks like ketchup, but is decidedly more savoury. The sausages are okay, but a little hot dog-like for me. And notice the token broccoli. It’s a healthy meal, y’all!
The included fruit is a small dish, but I can’t complain at the selection of grapes, pineapple and kiwi, all of which I love.
The croissant is nothing special, but better than the bun offered with dinner.
By the time the movie is over, we’re about 20 minutes from Detroit, and clearly getting close.
It looks cold outside.
Service ends with a Lindt chocolate being offered, and with headphones and remaining cups, tablecloths, etc. being collected.
Almost there.
Look… it’s our shadow!
And hello, Detroit! We set down and it’s a long roll to slow us down, with the engines kicking up a lot of snow.
Taxiing towards the McNamara terminal.
We arrive at our gate, but have to wait for some time as they prepare the jetways for us. During this time, there are at least three “We’re are still on an active taxiway. SIT DOWN!” announcements from the flight attendants, of increasing urgency and frustration.
But soon enough, we pull in, and this trip comes to an end next to our little sibling, an A330.
We’re given very friendly goodbyes by the upstairs flight attendants as we make our way downstairs and into the masses getting off the plane. Fortunately, it’s a short walk to customs, and with Global Entry, I’m through in no problem. There’s not much of a line for transit security, but since PreCheck isn’t offered at transit security (and since my KE-issued boarding pass makes no mention of Pre), I go through the full U.S. security experience, including Nude-o-vision for the first time in quite some time.
Oh well, at least the lineup wasn’t long.
Once through security, it’s a long escalator up to the McNamara Terminal concourse itself.
But then I’m here, on the concourse, and ready to find a lounge to chill for the three hours or so before my final flight of this trip, the short jaunt back home to Toronto, which I’ll be skipping the report on. It went about as one would expect a 214-mile flight to go.
Hello, Hometoyyz, and thank you for this FR.
Was the lounge packed, seeing the number of SkyTeam departures within that timeframe?
-"Outside my window, there’s nobody next door, and a TG A330 a couple of gates over."
-Hah. The SkyTeam tails + MH have suddenly transformed to Star Alliance tails.
"And then there’s the menu, which starts with the Korean meal set ... and then the Western meal."
Heads up. You posted the Western menu before the Korean menu, so the captions are misplaced ;)
"On the other hand, it would appear that according to airlines, Koreans eat nothing but bibimbap, ever."
-Perhaps it's the most cost-efficient to produce, or something ICN's catering team specialises in? Though serving bulgogi burger as a light snack would be awesome.
"I really like the main, and find it a nice change from the typical in-flight omelet."
-A good way to differentiate their morning protein meal from other airlines. Much welcomed
Thanks again for this FR. Cheers!
Thanks for the feedback, Razza.
The lounge did indeed get pretty busy towards the end of my stay. I wouldn't say completely packed... but well-attended, and not nearly as empty as when I arrived.
Thanks for the heads up on the menu switchup. I've corrected the order. Delta allows pre-booking of Korean entrees on flights to ICN as well. I wonder if they're all bibmbap too?
Another great report by a seasoned FR reporter, hope the newer guys really look through how you guys structure and layout your report before they attempt theirs.
Nice report on Delta, hands down the best legacy US carrier flying. While Delta is improving at all ends, it seems United is trying their best to follow BA's lead. Heard that on the new A350s if you fly their Premium Select (Delta speak for Y+) and connect stateside, you will be put on domestic First. They are also keeping the 9 abreast seating when refreshing the 777s for the new seats.
Thanks for the feedack, JW.
And thanks for the kind words on the styling of my FRs. I've stol... errrr... borrowed from those before me with what I think works. Everyone's got their own styles, but I tend to add what I see elsewhere that I either like or feel adds valuable information for readers.
I can confirm that if you book Premium Select (DL's new real premium economy offering, not jut the Comfort+ "Y+" of days gone by, you do get domestic first on connecting flights. It appears the Premium Select experience will be very similar to domestic first on a narrowbody, in fact. Creates kind of a weird situation, in my mind, where Premium Select is essentially the international extension of domestic First, in experience and in practicality. Thus putting Business/Delta One ahead of First in the pecking order, which is quite the opposite of the usual convention.
And yes, although I've never flown a DL 777 and am not likely to do so in Y, I was very happy (and utterly shocked, frankly) to see them commit to keeping nine across on the 777 after the Delta One Suites and Premium Select refurbs. I know there is likely some reason for doing so aside from an altruistic benefit for its customers, but I'll take my victories any way I can get 'em.
Stay tuned for more Delta from yours truly in the not-so-distant future. And again, thanks for the feedback.
Hi ! Thanks for this nice report you got here !
Nice to see some report on the 747 DL before they leave :)
That's always a pleasure to fly on !
DL offer a good product here !
The improvement from DL start to be really good :)
See you !
Thanks for the feedback!
It was very nice to get in one more DL744 flight before they retire. I understand why they're going, but it's sad to see these big birds retire.
Hi Hometoyyz. Great report as always. This is my personal virtual Delta 747 flight as I think I've mention my booking got swapped out to a 777. Had a chance to get a 747 this summer but for 105K points and the fact that lately there have been a couple cancellations due to maintenance, I think your report is it me. You even had the best seat in the house according to what I've read. Thanks again!
Oh, almost forgot, my 777 got swapped for the A350 on this route coming later this year!
Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking of you when they announced the launch schedule for the 359 to ICN. Glad you're benefiting, even if it is robbing you of one more go on the 744.
It looks like I'll be having one more go at it, thanks to another round of very reasonable DL YTO-TYO fares. Presuming there aren't maintenance or other cancellations, it'll probably get at least one more flight-report. And that time, for sure, it'll be my last trip on the DL Queen.
Good news Hometoyyz. You can savor the experience knowing it's truly the last. Have a great flight.
Lucky duck Rewardflying! Looking forward to that review. I suspect the suites to be more hype than substance but I hope to be proven wrong. Have a great flight.
I would agree with you Christian. VantageXL seats are just ok. Of course I liked the ones on SAS, but Qantas not so much. Depends on the finish. We'll see. Flying UA new Polaris next week but that's just the ANA business class seat which isn't bad.
Was going to ask you something since you are the senior SQ expert. I noticed you took the midnight express from PVG a few months back. Was looking at, actually have it booked, midnight special from PEK. Trying to talk myself into combining it with Air China 747-8 first class from JFK (its the Star Alliance award for less) So it's either 112.5K CA/SQ in first or HU 787 in business for 50K plus the SQ 50K in first to SIN then business down to DPS. My question is taking the overnight SQ in first really worth it? What would you do?
Hi Rewardflying, I'm humbled to have my input solicited. The short answer, from my perspective, is that the late departure flights on SQ are worth it if paired with a longer F award (like your JFK-PEK CA scenario) and as a means to a destination (DPS). I do not find the same value in the flight at 50k as a stand alone segment. Of course this contradicts how I used the PVG-SIN flight but I was just trying to fill last minute holes between NRSA segments. Too bad the transit can't be PVG rather than PEK. The PVG lounge seems far superior. Caveat that I have not been to the CA lounges at PEK for a couple of years so perhaps that has been rectified. Whichever route you choose I know I'm looking forward to reading about it. Have a great trip.
Thanks Christian. I'm just having a tough time convincing myself to do Air China first even though it's in the 748 which basically will cost 75K to get to PEK including a positioning flight to NYC. Decisions, decisions. PVG out of the question as the HND flight leaves too early given the late arrival from ORD on ANA, which is available. See you are doing that ANA first in August. I'm headed to Brisbane that weekend if you find your way down. Thanks again.
Greetings Hometoyyz and thank you for this great report. The DL 747 J experience is a special and nostalgic experience for me so thanks for stoking the fond memories. I took this flight in November 2016 and still haven't caught up with the trip report.
"Korean operates a lounge out at this satellite terminal, mostly for the benefit (I should imagine) of passengers of its SkyTeam partners who may be departing or transiting via this terminal, such as myself."
-I haven't seen this lounge before so thanks for the great tour. It seems ample but still a little light compared to what other Asian incumbent hub airlines offer in the region. The room looks like a large office or warehouse to me. Apparently KE and DL will be the only tenants of the new ICN terminal opining soon but as you point out his lounge seems to be operated for the benefit of the Skyteam partners and will likely continue to be.
" At one point, a Vietnam A350 rolls by, and I add that (and maybe their 789 too) to my “list of airliners I’d really like to sample at some point.”"
-I second that emotion, the airplanes are stunning to behold.
"And finally, look who I found. They’re letting anyone fly into Incheon these days!"
-Hey now! :)
"After making my way through the downstairs D1 cabin, I head upstairs, and check into seat 77K, a starboard window seat just behind the emergency exit upstairs on the DL 744 — basically the same place as my seat on the KE 74H on the previous sector."
-Great seat. Such an oddly wonderful cabin up there with the 1-1 layout.
" While mistakes or oversights were made, they were quickly corrected, and our two flight attendants were warm, friendly, and full of personality."
-The refinement and attention to detail that some foreign flag carries are able to achieve seem to be quite elusive for Delta and other North American carriers. The sloppy PDB service, the broken safety video that wasn't, the incomplete tray setup are all sort of minor but when amassed seem like a larger symptom of lazy "service".
I'm really glad you had an enjoyable and restful flight. This experience of a rather exclusive private cabin, in business class, on a commercial airliner is endangered and will soon be gone. Thanks for taking us along with you. Happy flying.
Hi Socal! Thanks for the feedback, as always.
"I haven't seen this lounge before so thanks for the great tour. It seems ample but still a little light compared to what other Asian incumbent hub airlines offer in the region."
- That sorta sums up my feelings on all the KE and OZ lounges I've been to at ICN. For such an absolutely top-notch, world-class airport, the lounges are, at best, whelming.
"The room looks like a large office or warehouse to me. Apparently KE and DL will be the only tenants of the new ICN terminal opining soon but as you point out his lounge seems to be operated for the benefit of the Skyteam partners and will likely continue to be."
- Not great aesthetics in the lounge... certainly nothing signature. But at least it's bright and cheery. And, of course, as I later found out with the KE 388, there are sometimes hometown planes out at the satellite, and if that continues to be the case (which I guess is in doubt with the terminal change?) they'll have to keep a lounge out there, since one can't easily move back and forth between the main and satellite.
"I second that emotion, the airplanes are stunning to behold."
Oh yeah. It's always telling when I want to fly it secondly to experience a new airline's service, but primarily to justify adding it to my model collection. ;-)
"The refinement and attention to detail that some foreign flag carries are able to achieve seem to be quite elusive for Delta and other North American carriers. The sloppy PDB service, the broken safety video that wasn't, the incomplete tray setup are all sort of minor but when amassed seem like a larger symptom of lazy "service"."
- A fair assessment. The PDB thing was kinda bizarre. I know I'm pretty quiet, but I don't exactly disappear into the seat.... I did like the crew, though.
"This experience of a rather exclusive private cabin, in business class, on a commercial airliner is endangered and will soon be gone."
- Quoted for truth. Assuming things don't blow up on my next DTW-NRT flight in August, I'll make an extra point of savoring as many minutes as I can in this unique 1-1 upstairs experience.
Thanks again for the feedback!
By the by I'm signed up for a ride in the posh ANA F cabin on LAX-NRT leaving 8/25. Any chance our paths will cross? I haven't planned any NRT-XXX segments yet or a return path.
First, I'm jealous. ;-)
Second, unfortunately, our paths will not cross. I'm slated to be in Tokyo a little earlier in August than that. But I hope you enjoy both the flights and the time in Japan.
Thanks for this next report in this SkyTeam adventure.
"Better late than never, I figure."
- Yep! I hear you. I'm still just now posting reports from February and haven't finished posting the last 4 series from over the past year. So behind!
"Sadly, I couldn’t figure out a way to get either YYZ-ATL or DTW-YYZ on a 747"
- Hah, just be glad they have mainline aircraft on those routes. It seems the U.S. carriers loooove sending RJs on transborder routes.
I like the newish Delta One seat covers, but I still find the DL version of the Cirrus to be too plasticky looking. There's nothing quite like being in the nose or the hump of a 747! Such a share 74s will soon be a rare sight in North American skies.
"In fact, the woman sitting across from me in 77A is clearly a nonrev and appears to be a well-known character or minor Delta celebrity"
- Was is Deltalina? Did she wag her finger at you? ^^
"She seems genuinely shocked and profusely apologetic"
- In all the years I was a DL GM and PM, the biggest thing I miss is how great the crews were. They were consistently friendly and always going out of their way to help.
I also miss DL's catering. The amuse-bouche gives the meal a more posh, premium feel. I also like that DL has soups in J, which were always delicious IME. On AA, soup is reserved for Intenational F...so dumb. It's basically the only this that differentiates F from J catering on AA. Sad.
If I lived in Canada, I'd probably go back to DL since I wouldn't be subject to the MQD requirements, which was what made me leave DL in the first place.
Thanks for another great report!
Thanks for the feedback, Kevin!
"- Yep! I hear you. I'm still just now posting reports from February and haven't finished posting the last 4 series from over the past year. So behind!"
- I can relate. I try to keep up in real-time with at least the writing, to capture the experience as best I can. But with travel, family, and everything else, it can be tough.
"Hah, just be glad they have mainline aircraft on those routes. It seems the U.S. carriers loooove sending RJs on transborder routes."
- It's a mix to YYZ. Although this trip had a 717 on YYZ-ATL, DTW-YYZ (on which I'm skipping a report) was a CRJ-700. That said, as long as I get put in first, I'm with the RJs... especially if I can snag a port-side loner seat.
"Was is Deltalina? Did she wag her finger at you?"
- Don't you think I'd have mentioned that? Sadly it was not. Although she did look very cross at me when I started to light up a smoke mid-flight....
"In all the years I was a DL GM and PM, the biggest thing I miss is how great the crews were. They were consistently friendly and always going out of their way to help."
- I have to agree with this. I was reflecting the other day that while I had some great service on AC, I've come to expect it much more since moving to DL. Trying not to let that de-sensitize me to the fact that is very good.
"I also miss DL's catering. The amuse-bouche gives the meal a more posh, premium feel. I also like that DL has soups in J, which were always delicious IME. On AA, soup is reserved for Intenational F...so dumb. It's basically the only this that differentiates F from J catering on AA. Sad."
- I don't understand why more airlines don't do soup in premium cabins. It seems to me that it would be a relatively inexpensive option, and in my experience, soup almost always plays well at altitude. Even soups that I don't particularly care for generally have been very enjoyable in-flight.
"If I lived in Canada, I'd probably go back to DL since I wouldn't be subject to the MQD requirements, which was what made me leave DL in the first place."
- Avoiding AC's version of MQD was a big reason for my change in loyalties, among many other factors. So far, I've been happy with the change. If only YYZ T3 transborder weren't such a horrible experience.
Again, thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for sharing this report Hometoyyz! It is beautiful and I always enjoy reading your reports^^ It is a pleasure to see those 747 reports these days. The KE Lounge furniture’s condition looks better than LAX.
“appears to be a well-known character or minor Delta celebrity”
- Deltalina? :P I know, smoking is not allowed on the flight lol
DL’s product and services are solid on this flight and imo it is the best among the legacy US carrier. The cabin is much nicer than UA Queen (I know they are in 2 different world lol). The starter of first meal looks very good. I am a bit surprised to see DL has bibimbap as I assumed only Korean carriers will provide this (but the missing of sesame oiled and gochujang is very weird). Glad you can sleep well on this long-haul.
Look forward to next series!