A photo report of OZ (Asiana) A380 First Class from JFK to ICN...

[kpc]

****WARNING…if First Class photos / reports annoy / offend you, look away now!****


Ok….I have a slight fetish...I admit it! I‘m trying to fly as many different A380 F class products as possible. So far I have flown QF, EK, EY, TG and SQ. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to fly OZ (Asiana) F class product from JFK to ICN. OZ only flies their A380 F product to 3 cities from ICN, namely JFK, LAX and FRA so there are not many opportunities. Seasonally, OZ does fly the A380 from ICN to SYD but it does not sell the F class product on that route. With limited routes flown, my recent flight back from JFK (booked with Lifemiles) provided the perfect opportunity to test OZ’s A380 F product out. As I haven't done a TR in years, and as there are no OZ F A380 reports here on AFF that I'm aware off, I thought i would post one here with my thoughts.

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OZ A380 has 12 F seats, 3 rows of seats in a 1:2:1 configuration. The middle seats are a good option for a couple who want to be seated next to each other.

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Out of JFK, there is no priority security screening so you have to join the zoo-like TSA security screening. F passengers have access to the Swiss lounge which has both a F and J class section. When the OZ flight leaves JFK at 1340, the F section is closed so you are directed to the J section which is adequate but nothing special. Clearly OZ are not willing to pay Swiss to open the F section for its F passengers!

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On board, the suites are very similar to both the equivalent SQ and EK (minus the gold glam!) products with sliding doors to make it a private cabin. Unfortunately, unlike SQ, you can’t have a double bed!

A few photos of the amenity kit + PJs, F seat and layout below with our faces blocked to retain some web anonymity.

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[kpc]

Due to some stupid local NY law, champagne can’t be served before takeoff!The drinks and lunch / supper menu for the 14 hour flight:

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[kpc]

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Some photos of the food service including a nice caviar service, complete with pearl spoon. Food options were either Western or Korean. I went for the Western for lunch and Korean for supper. The quality of the food was excellent, although the lobster portion was on the small side.

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[kpc]

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[kpc]

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I was beyond stuffed by the time the dinner service finished!


The seat converts into a very comfortable, full flat bed stretching 210cm in length, and with doors closed, you have a completely private cabin; you can change into your PJs here without going to the bathroom. OZ claim they have the world's largest 32 inch HD personal monitor, guaranteeing a unrivalled viewing experience, and I have to say the screen was huge and I managed to watch 3 movies, which is a record for me.

The bathroom photos are below, although nothing special like EY and EK with their showers. Even, TG without showers, has a magnificent large bathroom with a changing and vanity section.

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[kpc]

Refreshments / supper was served about 2 hours from landing; I managed to find some space in my stomach for the Korean option.

The end of a great flight is near:

As we were transiting ICN to connect to our OZ J flights to SYD, and as we arrived in F, we had access to the OZ F lounge in ICN, which whilst nice, was really nothing special compared to the other F lounges around the world.

So there you have it….I think Asiana A380 F is a fantastic product…I think EY F is the only one with a significantly better hard product, and I would rate OZ on par with EK and SQ seat / bed wise. The size of the TV on OZ is a big winner. Wines were quite good but I think SQ, EY and EK are better…I’m not a champagne drinker so I have no idea whether what was served onboard was any good, but the champagne menu is shown above. The service was very good but not brilliant, I think, partly due to the language barrier as some of the FAs’ English was not strong but much better than my Korean. Try OZ F A380 out if you get the opportunity, and I don't think you will be disappointed!

So overall, of all the A380 F products I have flown, I would rate EY > SQ = EK, (slightly > than) OZ, > TG, >> QF…...sad to say but QF is a distant last!


PS: a higher resolution (especially for all the menus) of all the photos can be seen via the link below:

https://photos.shutterfly.com/story/100153533179/full/103133670510

 

[RB]

Thanks for the photos and summary. Food looks good & the JW blue would be a nice way for me to relax!

 

[I love to travel]

Hmmm the Krug was free flowing on CX last month pre departure from JFK so maybe the "law" is airline specific

 

[TomVexille]

Hmmm the Krug was free flowing on CX last month pre departure from JFK so maybe the "law" is airline specific

More likely who is willing to pay for the privilege

 

[kelvedon]

Looks fantastic KPC, but couldn't resists adding a Sidney Nolan enhancement of your photo !

 

[VPS]

on the contrary - first photos just make me want to go somewhere else

Great review - thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the OZ F suites are fantastic for sleeping. The food is particularly good out of ICN. The TV is huge, and I'm not sure how other airlines make the claim they have the largest screens when they max out at 23 inches (SQ!!!!).

Their lounge however at ICN was always the big let down... vast in space, but limited on amenities and food.

 

[boomy]

Always enjoy reading F reports. The suites look stunning and the food must be amazing, they even serve fantastic meals in J. Huge improvement to their old B747 F although champagne and wine menu seems less impressive than my last F flight with them.

Thanks for the TR KPC and well done for comparing A380 F products. While flying F is always nice, not all products are as impressive, especially not BA and QF.

Looking forwards for our ICN-LAX flight next year.
Love the huge TV, really puts SQ suites to shame!

 

[love_the_life]

Thanks for the great photos and TR. I have always been a little wary of Asiana and it would appear that this reluctance to fly them has been misplaced.

 

[Rugby]

Thanks kpc - a great overview of the experience.

 

[Magpie10]

thanks kpc for a great review - one can only dream - so therefore you sharing your report really benefits those of us who can't live the dream....cheers V.

 

[Guvner]

Thanks for taking the time kpc. Appreciate it.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report and photos.

Interesting fetish kpc. Glad the bug hasn't struck me.

 

[kermatu]

Very nice trip report and photos.

Interesting fetish kpc. Glad the bug hasn't struck me.

Thanks for the terrific report.

 

[JohnSydney2000]

Great photos and trip report. Thanks very kindly for posting the information. Happy travels. John.