I arrived at the M-Gates quite in time and relaxed a little bit, as tiredness kicked back in after I got up so early. There were many stands where the inflight magazin was available to take. As there was an intersting story about the Seychelles in it, I took one and read some articles until my flight was ready for boarding.
Flight AF264
As I already mentioned, my flight from CDG to ICN was operated by a Boeing 777-300ER (F-GZNU). She was just over 2 years old. That Air France paint scheme looks really amazing on the B777. <3
Boarding took a while but shortly after I took my seat, an Vietnam Airlines A350 parked right next to us, so I had some action to watch.
My seat was in the last section of the Economy class - 46A. Window seat once again, but I had to pay 20€ to reserve that seat. Seat was much much more comfortable than on the A320. Seat width - as usual in a B777 with 3-4-3 Economy class config. Seat pitch was okay, but could have been better.
Amenity kit for the night flight to Seoul.
When I looked around the cabin, I saw that there were some crew members working in the kitchen area. Shortly after that some technicans joined the action and tried to repair something. It didn't get any better as the captain also took a look whats going on. To sum it up: We were delayed for about 50min with some minor technical issues and some thunderstorms in the area.
Finally 40min after scheduled departure we were on our way to the runway.
A flying start and the heavy heavy B777-300ER roared up into the air.
Some clouds over Paris after departure.
We departed into the West and made two right turns to head towards East. The projected flight path was towards North Germany, heading North-East passing North Europe and then Russia before we enter China, followed by another left turn to cross the Yellow Sea towards the Korean peninsula.
Wing detail during the beginning of the flight.
As usual, about 30min into the flight snacks and drinks were offered for the first time.
Another hour later, the crew started with the meal service. View of the tray - was really packed.
Salad with meat as appetizer.
Main dish - Beef with rice and vegetables.
Pineapple as dessert.
After the dinner, I watched a few movies and enjoyed the view across North-Europe.
5 hours into the flight, some ice cream was served.
During the flight there were some baskets with snacks in the kitchen area free for everyone. I had such a lovely Korean couple next to me, who always shared their snacks with me. :)
The sun set slowly as we headed towards East.
And half way into the flight it was finally a little bit darker outside.
Mongolia was already in sight.
… and it got brighter outside once again.
I tried to sleep a little bit, but most of the time I was just napping a little bit while listening to music. 2 hours before landing in ICN, breakfast was served.
It was some sort of potatoes, eggs, mushrooms and spinach. But the taste was not mine - it tasted strange.
Almost in Korea - crossing the Yellow Sea between China and the Korean peninsula.
Yeah … some land in sight - one of the many islands.
Weather was awesome in Korea, too. Clear skies welcomed me!
Final at ICN.
I can see your shadow. ;)
Touchdown @ ICN.
… and another great lineup of sky blue aircraft - well which Airline could it be^^. ;)
Behind us, a B747 was on her final approach.
And another one departed on the parallel runway.
As Air France and Korean Air are partner of SKY Team they also share the new Terminal 2 in Incheon. Taxiing took about 10min and we parked right next to the many Korean Air aircrafts.
Post Flight @ ICN
In January when I flew with LH from MUC directly to ICN, I arrived at Terminal 1. This time it was Terminal 2 and in some areas you can really see that it is the newer Terminal.
Compared to January the exerpience with immigration and picking up my baggage was totally the same. Immigration was so fast, lots of personal and not too many people waiting. But also, the personal at the airport was very friendly.
Bonus pictures from Korea
Bonus : Click here displayhide
During my stay the weather was just perfect, I stayed 4 days in Seoul and 3 days in Gyeongju in the south east of Korea.
Pictures from Seoul
Let's start with the hotel where I stayed. I stayed at the Shilla Stay Mapo which is located directly at the Gongdeok metro station. Gongdeok metro station is a bigger metro station in Seoul, as two lines + the airport express line crosses here. Especially with the airport express road it is quite easy to get from the airport to the city within just 50min.
Here are two pictures of the hotel it self. It was quite good, the room might be a little bit small and the air conditioner was not working sooo good, but overall it offers all necessary things and has a great location to discover Seoul.
View from the hotel room at different times.
Food is always great in Korea - as I already talked about it in my reports from January. This time once again, Korean BBQ was on my "TO DO LIST".
Steak - the Korean version. :)
In Bavaria we have a very famous dish, which is called "Schweinshaxe" - knuckle of pork. Well this is how the Korean version looks like - the taste is the same and excellent.
Then there are a lot of Korean brands, like Lotte Burger (let's say Korean McDonalds) or Mad for Garlic (don't need to explain the name, it's obvious^^).
Oh yes and then … I guess I have found the best dessert ever!!! Sulbing BINGSU!!! Woah … I love ice cream, but crushed ice with any topping, the idea is cool and the taste is just wow. :D
Well … up to now it looks like I was just eating in Seoul … no no, don't get me wrong. I did some activities, too.
Climbing Inwangsan mountain is quite exhausting at 30°C, but the view across Seoul makes up for it.
Visiting the Hanok village near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Hanging out at Han River.
Han River cruise at sunset.
Pictures from Gyeongju
As train transportation is so much better in Asia compared to Europe or Germany (with our great Deutsche Bahn), a KTX (fast train) from Seoul Station to Gyeongju Station is by far the best way to cover the distance it takes just about 2 hours.
Gyeongju is a very historical place, so you can find lots of Korean tradition there.
It already starts with the hotel. I stayed at a traditional Korean Hanok guest house.
Guest house from outside with the inner courtyard.
Rooms - first time for me to sleep on a futon mattress on the bottom.
It is quite easy to rent a bike there and discover the area, really reccommend that. That traditional look is really great, fell in love with that! * *
Cheomseongdae in the middle of the field. It is the oldest observatory in Asia!
We also rent a car and drove to the coast and Bulguksa. *
On the last day, we visited a theme park in Gyeongju and later headed back to Seoul by KTX.
Last but not least … yep … Food pictures from Gyeongju!!
Breakfast at the Hanok guest house.
And more!!
Last but not least … Soju with different taste!
See more
Verdict
Air France
7.8/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.5
Entertainment/wifi7.5
Meal/catering7.0
Paris - CDG
7.8/10
Efficiency7.0
Access8.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0
Seoul - ICN
9.0/10
Efficiency9.0
Access9.0
Services9.5
Cleanliness8.5
Conclusion
First long haul flight with AF and it was quite okay. The B777-300ER was very new as she was just a little bit more than 2 years old. Overall the inflight entertainment is quite okay. The crew was very friendly and the food was good - except the breakfast.
Nevertheless AF is quite a good option if there are comparable cheap flights via CDG available.
11 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Thanks for this FR. Catering is improved on AF on flights to Asia. The new seats are nice with that great IFE, but too bad it's 3-4-3. Really interesting bonus!
Yes, I was very happy. But in the end, AF satisfied my on the long haul flight - the short haul flights between MUC and CDG were not that comfortable, but ok.
This catering looks much better than what AF offers on their route CDG-LIM which I took many times. The food was absolutely awful. That is why I prefer KL on my flights to Lima now. But this Asian catering looks so much better
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6118 reviews
5 Comments
Catering is improved on AF on flights to Asia.
The new seats are nice with that great IFE, but too bad it's 3-4-3.
Really interesting bonus!
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