Trip Report: Onboard Korean Air’s Boeing 777 to Seoul

LONDON — Good afternoon from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), where we begin an exciting media trip with Korean Air (KE). Tonight, we are flying aboard Korean’s Boeing 777-300ER to Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN).

The airline serves London once daily with flight KE907; 1055 ICN - LHR 1720, and its return flight KE908; 1935 LHR - ICN 1615. Korean Air primarily operates this route with a Boeing 77W, with the addition of a Boeing 747-8i on a seasonal basis.

KE’s fleet comprises 162 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, of which 139 are passenger and 23 cargo. The airline flies to a multitude of destinations worldwide, spanning 116 cities in 40 countries.

In March 2025, KE unveiled its new corporate identity, featuring a refreshed brand image, upgraded dining options, new onboard amenities, and enhanced cabin products. This change marks a significant milestone for the airline, with a vision to be the world’s most loved airline and connect for a better world.

This follows the acquisition of Asiana Airlines (OZ) by KE in December 2024, which further strengthens KE’s presence and connectivity in its Incheon hub. The complete integration of the airlines is expected in 2027, with strategic advancements including an expanded global network, enhanced schedules, and customer-centred growth.

Airport Experience

Korean Air operates out of Heathrow’s Terminal 4, the primary base of the SkyTeam alliance. Other partner airlines operating alongside KE include Air France (AF), KLM (KL), and Etihad Airways (EY). Did you know that British Airways (BA) used Terminal 4 (T4) until 2008 before relocating to Terminal 5? 

I arrived at T4 by rail around two hours before departure and made my way to the check-in desk. A boarding pass was issued in good time, and I was checked in for flight KE908. This was a smooth and fast experience; however, we would be two hours delayed due to the late-running inbound. All passengers on our flight received a £15 food and drinks voucher to be used airside, and I also received a complimentary lounge invitation.  

Once through security, I made my way to the Plaza Premium Lounge, situated opposite gate 10. All SkyTeam Elite Plus members and First or Business Class passengers have access, as well as Priority Pass holders. Although we were flying in economy, Korean Air granted us complimentary access, a nice way to begin the long journey ahead.

The brand-new lounge, opened in October 2024, is modern and provides a ‘Proudly Local’ experience, with a variety of international cuisines and drinks available.

Brilliant views of the ramp and runway are provided by floor-to-ceiling windows, a perfect opportunity for some plane spotting. With a capacity of only 147 guests and being one of the main lounges in the terminal, it is relatively small, making it prone to overcrowding. 

During the course of the evening, a thunderstorm rolled through the east of England, causing a temporary pause in arrivals. This, of course, meant further delays for us and other inbound traffic to Heathrow. Our aircraft eventually landed 90 minutes behind schedule, and I made my way to the gate to capture it in stunning golden light. 

Terminal 4 also features a panoramic observation deck with sweeping views of the southern runway, 27R. I took a moment to enjoy the wide variety of movements that LHR has to offer.

Onboard

Flight KE908 to Seoul was ready to board from gate 11. First and Business class passengers were invited for priority boarding, as well as those in Korean Air’s Morning Calm/Elite Club and SkyTeam Elite members.

We entered through door L1, having a glimpse of KE’s First and Business class products, before arriving at our seats.

Welcome on board HL8217, a 14-year-old Boeing 777-300ER. I’m seated in 36J, the first section of economy, for the 11-hour flight to ICN. This is one of KE’s older aircraft, featuring its previous-generation seating across the cabin.

At our seat, we were provided with a pillow, blanket, a bottle of water, and (fragile) slippers. Inside the literature pocket was Korean Air’s Morning Calm magazine, a duty-free magazine, a safety card, and a sickness bag. Once everyone had boarded, the crew handed out wired earphones to connect to the IFE.

Our aircraft features 227 Economy Class seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. The seats have a generous 33” pitch, 18” width, with a reclining angle of 118 degrees.

Each has an adjustable headrest, a personal 10.6-inch IFE screen with a remote control, a USB port, and a power supply. The tray table is foldable, sliding forward and backward, and includes a cup holder when stowed.

KE’s Business Class is branded as Prestige Class, with 56 Prestige Sleeper seats in a 2-3-2 layout. Seat features include a fully adjustable seatback and footrest with a 74” seat pitch, 20” width, and a 73” (1.85m) length when lie-flat. Passengers also have a personal 15.4-inch IFE screen with a remote control, an individual reading lamp, multiple charging ports, and storage space.

First Class features 8 Kosmo Suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. The lie-flat seat offers a large 83” pitch and 26.5” width, with a length of 79” (2.01m) when fully reclined. Each seat has a personal 23-inch IFE screen with its remote control, reading lamp, charging ports, premium headphones, and versatile storage space.

Taxi, Takeoff

We pushed back over an hour behind schedule, and the rumble of the powerful GE90s starting up echoed through the cabin. As we taxiied out for departure, KE’s in-flight safety video began playing on the IFE, but not just any safety video.

A first in the aviation industry, the airline uses virtual humans to promote safety in a fun and informative way. The video features flight attendant Rina explaining cabin safety in a virtual world, and virtual K-pop group MAVE appears as passengers. 

After a slow taxi to runway 27R due to the evening rush, it was finally our turn for takeoff, and we became airborne. The climb out of Heathrow is always a spectacle, no matter the time of day, and we set course eastbound towards ICN through the night.

Shortly after takeoff, the seatbelt signs turned off, and preparations began for dinner. The in-flight service started with a range of beverages to choose from. Options included the standard soft drinks, juices, and red and white wines.

Although no menus were handed out, the cabin crew came onto the PA to announce the available options, which was a welcoming touch. The dishes included Korean Beef Bibimbap, chicken with corn and tomato pasta.

I opted for the Bibimbap to get my taste buds ready for the next few days in Seoul. Alongside the main course, we had steamed rice, sesame oil, and gochujang to be mixed with the main, soybean paste soup, pickled cucumbers, and two types of chocolate cake. 

Korean Air provided us with metal cutlery, which retained the flavors of the dishes well (as opposed to wooden cutlery) and enhanced the dining experience. Overall, I enjoyed the dinner service and was satisfied with the portion size, leaving a positive first impression.

IFE, Connectivity

With the dinner service finished, I explored the in-flight entertainment that Korean Air offers. Our aircraft was yet to be retrofitted, and as such, the IFE was outdated, including the rest of the cabin. That being said, the touchscreen was responsive with a retro feel to it.

The selection of movies and shows was limited; however, various award-winning films were featured, such as the Mission: Impossible franchise.

A selection of CD albums and audiobooks was available in the audio section, a games section, and a kids section. I spent some time exploring the interactive maps, which offer an autoplay feature, a view of our total route, and a world explorer section.

In terms of connectivity, neither WiFi nor a Bluetooth connection was available. A single USB-A port was found next to the IFE, where I was able to charge my devices without any issues, and a universal AC socket was also available.

Cruise Phase

Through the night, I fully reclined my seat to ensure maximum comfort, as did most other passengers in the cabin. I found comfort in the seat, and I was able to relax well for the majority of the flight. Unlike other airlines I have previously flown, KE provided us with branded blankets, a subtle but welcome addition.

Together with the pillow, it was cosy and provided warmth. I managed to watch half a movie, but before I knew it, I fell asleep for a good few hours.

Sunrise, my favorite time of day, and the part of the flight I was looking forward to. There aren’t many better feelings than witnessing golden hour miles above the Earth’s surface. I woke up to see a burning orange sky with red and purple hues, but I quickly lowered my window, shadenot to wake up my sleeping neighbors.

Eventually, I needed to stretch my legs and took a stroll through the cabin. In the rear galley, I found water, juices, and soft drinks left out, as well as sandwiches and various sweet and salty snacks. One particular item available was Pringles, and the cabin crew mentioned I was one of fifteen lucky passengers to get one, as only a limited number were loaded onboard.

The lavatories were equipped with dental kits, which I used to freshen up. A scented hand wash and hand lotion were also provided, giving the on-board experience a premium feel.

Before heading back to my seat, I decided to take in the views below. Overflying Kazakhstan at 37000 feet, we were treated to a stunning landscape, with mountains on one side and flat plains on the other.

With around three hours of flight time remaining, I continued watching my movie, which I had previously fallen asleep through. Still feeling a little tired and knowing that the next meal service would be shortly, I aimed to have a gentle nap.

Before I knew it, we were under an hour away from Seoul, and I had somehow fallen asleep through the meal service. Thankfully, the crew left a note next to my IFE to request a meal should I like one.

Shortly after getting myself together, they kindly provided me with some breakfast. This consisted of scrambled eggs, spinach and sausage, alongside fruit, yoghurt, pastry and orange juice.

I enjoyed the meal, although the main was a little too salty for my liking, and I had to rush through it so the crew could wrap up the service.

Arrival

We began our descent thirty minutes out, and the weather cleared up nicely to reveal the Yellow Sea below. After a few left turns, we lined up for the approach to runway 34L, with the bustling city of Incheon coming into view.

A smooth touchdown followed, and we taxiied past multiple KE Boeing 747-8s, which is always a sight to see. Soon after, we arrived at our gate next to SkyTeam partner Delta Air Lines (DL). Despite the two-hour delay, we made up time in the air, arriving thirty minutes behind schedule on a pleasant evening.

Leaving the aircraft, I felt surprisingly fresh given the overnight flight, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Korean Air. We collected our luggage before being greeted by our media colleagues and out into a warm and sunny Incheon.

Conclusions 

Flying Korean Air for the first time, I was impressed with the hospitality and service offered on board, and the cabin crew were welcoming throughout. The in-flight dining experience was satisfactory, ticking all the boxes, and I particularly enjoyed the Korean flavors from the Bibimbap during dinner.

As mentioned, the cabin interior was outdated and yet to be retrofitted, although this did not dampen the experience aboard the aircraft. The seating was comfortable (I managed to take two big naps after all), and I was well looked after by the crew.

Korean Air is currently undergoing a major fleet renewal, replacing its aging fleet with modern and technologically advanced aircraft. This summer, the airline committed to ordering a huge 103 Boeing aircraft, including 777-9s, 787-10s, 737-10s, and 777-8Fs.

The existing fleet is also being retrofitted with its next-generation interior, including its brand-new Kosmo and Prestige Suites 2.0. The airline is also introducing a new Premium Economy product, initially available on select routes. 

In terms of new aircraft deliveries, KE received its first Boeing 787-10 featuring its updated colors and refreshed cabin. The airline is also due to receive its third Airbus A350-900 in the coming months, featuring its new cabin product.