After a pleasant 3 night stay in Seoul, capital of South Korea ( host country of Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games ), it was time to head back to Tokyo to start my dream holiday in Japan !
I left my hotel ( Shilla Stay Guro ) at 1200pm.
The hotel Airport Information sheet showed that bus 6017 to Incheon would be at 1233pm but the actual bus departure was 1246pm.
A Korean Air Airhostess got on a few stops later and I arrived at Seoul Incheon in exactly an howafter seeing various building work on islands leading upto the airport and after passing Gimpo ( weird seeing a major airport so close to a city centre and no I have never flown to/from London City ! )
As we went round a roundabout I saw two humungously massive statues of 2 Gold passengers ! I couldn't get a photo in time so have specially obtained these images for you !
Incheon is a big,bright,spacious airport and has consistently won global awards for being the best airport worldwide !
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A nice lady checked me in and asked how long I would be in Japan. Please note that my flight KE001 is a daily A330 flying Seoul Incheon - Tokyo Narita - Honolulu in Hawaii !
After the ultra quick checkin I headed upstairs to the Indoors Observation Deck
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Unlike Frankfurt Terminal 1's nice new outdoor terrace !
I came back down to the Departures level
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I couldn't see the way to Departure, I asked lady in a shop for departures. Her response ? " I think it's downstairs"
I doubt it very much my dear ! I then went to a Samsung counter and the lady seemed puzzled but pointed back the way - I then saw the way into Departures.
It is unbelievable that Seoul Incheon is meant to be one of the world's best airports - staff don't even know where anything is and make Manchester Airport staff look like professionals.
Expect the exceptional - just don't ask staff for directions !
Erm….ok
Next I went through security and separated my tablet/liquids/belt etc.
I was amazed to see that there are separate ( lime green ) boxes for shoes unlike in Europe where everything is bunched into one box which is highly unhygienic.
After removing my shoes I was then in softness Heaven when I saw that I had a soft mat to step on to ahead of going through the Body Scanner to do teh Bee Gee's Tragedy dance moves !
I came out of the scanner and didn't activate the scanner however got pulled aside for a pat down.
The pat down was very intimate….the male officer ( I;m a guy too by the way ) put his thumb and index finger on teh buckle of my belt, almost pulling me in…
he then went down and slowly stroked my legs….very weird and glad it was over quickly !
I then took some time to explore shops and went into a Souvenier shop ; the ladies initially greet you nicely but then are all over you ( think Hurry up and buy ).
The lady that I was "assigned" did not leave my side from the moment I entered the store to the moment I left.
I didn't want to spoil my mood ahead of my flight but I really felt ambushed and ended up buying a USD30.00 snow globe of Seoul. In total I spent USD70.00 on 2 small purses,3 magnets and the snow globe. I will be feeding this back as I am most unhappy.
However my dissappointment with Obessive Sales Lady soon vanished when I walked a short distance and found myself walking alongside the Korean Cultural Experience Centre.
Two beautiful ladies in traditional Korean dress were walking past ; I asked politely if I could have a photo and they happily obliged. This was to the backdrop of 3 very pretty ladies playing a famous ( I can't remember but will find out ) tune on the harp and violin.
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Let's freshen up in the washroom and then grab some refreshments !
The best view of my life whilst walking to a washroom !
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I then sat in the gate area of gate 23 and charged my tablet,relaxed and watched aircrafts ( mainly Korean Air ! ). When I saw the gate staff arrive there was a strange discussion regarding the boarding process and structure which apparently is structured in Tokyo but a free for all in Seoul ??. A lady mentioned row 47 onwards but the gentleman said that in Seoul they do not board by zones ???
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Ahead of boarding, I am very pleased that I was first in the Economy line to board. A lady was walking around checking passports and put a yellow V on my boarding pass ( potentially verified ? - note the state of the boarding pass despite having clearly ringed times /info and how it is still marked again and again !
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My A330 this evening had earlier performed a Fukuoka-Seoul Incheon flight and had been on the ground several hours ahead of this KE001 service.
Fast Facts
KE001
A330-300
ICNNRTHNL
Registration HL8025
Previous flight Fukuoka- Seoul Incheon
Next flight after HNLNRTICN - Singapore
Boarding
Boarding began promptly at 1700pm after priority / special need passengers.
I went down a clear escalator and had beautiful views of my Haawiian bound A330 via Tokyo !
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There were newspapers in the airbridge.
An Airhostess said Anyeongseo ( hi ! ) as I boarded and directed me to my seat as did another Airhostess stood further back and also a gentleman ( possibly ground staff but in designer business suit ).
The Boarding Music was "What a feeling" by Flashdance ( instrumental) followed by I believe in Angels.
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If the 777-300 made my flight bearable by allowing my jacket to hang on the side of my seat, then the A330 would ensure I had no space to breather nor my neighbour ! Again,like on KE704, I asked an Airhostess if my jacket could be hung up and she advised they don't have a wardrobe. In seconds she was back with a big duty free bag and I put my folded suit jacket in the bag.
Immigration cards were distributed and the girl next to me started filling hers prompting me to do mine and not have to worry during the flight or on landing !
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Seatpocket Content
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An Airhostess arrived at my seat regarding my Muslim meal and asked which drink I would like when the meal is served ( I chose Coke ).
Cabin Crew were walking around with clickers for the headcount ( count of passengers onboard).
Earphones were distributed
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Boarding continued
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At 1730pm the safety video started and pushback was a minute later.
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2 Airhostesses at the front of the cabin just as the welcome PA began in Korean,then English and Japanese. The AF/DL codeshare wa sannounced ( although airport screens showed this was also a JAL codeshare flight! )
During the cabin secure check, the Cabin manager walked over and thanked me for choosing Korean Air ( during boarding I had mentioned I am a Korean Air fan ) ; an Airhostess immediately gave a bag of souveniers stating this is all they had !
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For the record I am a fan for the last 24 years of the A7 ( Asian7 ! ) in no order Cathay Pacific, Thai,JAL,Korean, Malaysia, Garuda, and Singapore Airlines. We carried on taxying….
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Take Off
After some more taxying, it was finally our turn to take off and at 1751pm off sped our A330 on it's way to Tokyo Narita.
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Shortly after take off,the Captain did his welcome announcement and advised that there is no time difference between Korea and Japan.
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My meal was brought to me well ahead of the main service but I politely asked if I could have it later as my tray table had my tablet,my phone,portable charger and my journal ! Thank God my suit jacket was hanging off my seat or I would have been exceptionally crammed !
Some Stats of the Korean Air A330
https://www.koreanair.com/global/en/traveling/aircraft-info/details.html?fleetCode=a330-300
Inflight Service
I noted passengers were being given packs of Laver and also Brookside Dark Chocolate dipped blueberries before the meal.
The Coke can has a Hawaiian theme !
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Logo Alert !
I asked an Airhostess for extra packs of Brookside Berries and Laver and she very kindly obliged !
I dropped my beverage cup and this was swiftly replaced by another and with a smile.
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Inflight Entertainment
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Shortly after 1900pm, we slowly started our descent
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We landed at 1940pm and after the landing announcement an instrumental version of "Time to say Goodbye" played followed by a strange Japanese/Oriental strumming session !
Live Camera views also showed the runway !
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On leaving the aircraft the Cabin Manager said to me that I was the best passenger and very polite and he hoped to see me on Korean Air again- I had a picture in Prestige Class and disembarked via the forward airbridge !
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I bet Korean Air doesn't often see hand luggage like this ?!
Upon leaving the aircraft, I noted Hawaiian parked nearby ! I was delighted to see Hawaiian as we definately cannot see this sight in Europe ! Not yet but I sincerely hope with the induction of the Hawaiian 787 Dreamliner, Hawaii and the UK will become connected ! Exotic and Tropical excitement aside, Hawaiian have very poor and slow response times for emails. In fact it has been years since they even bothered to a reply. If they continue in this vain I will fly another airline.
Now let's enter Japan officially !
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The Immigration guy was nice and smiley ( even behind his face mask ! )
A further officer asked if I have gold and briefly checked my case.
At the Keisei Skyliner office the lady called my hotel for directions and I caught the train from Narita to Nippori where I would catch the JR (Japan Railways ) Joban Line to Mikawashima.
