For my recent flight to Australia, I was determined to fly the Airbus A380 on a new route option. Having previously flown with both Emirates and Qatar Airways, I looked at Simple Flying's list of the ten carriers flying the super jumbo this year for inspiration.
I found a flight on Star Alliance carrier Asiana Airlines from London Heathrow to Sydney via Seoul-Incheon International Airport using my Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Sydney and London Heathrow recently tied as the most diverse A380 airports, with five carriers flying to each hub this year.
The check-in process at London Heathrow Airport went seamlessly. I was greeted by amiable staff who checked me in, verified my Australian ETA visa, and sent my bag through without charging me for slightly exceeding the baggage allowance.
After spending over an hour at Heathrow's security, I rushed to the gate where agents were graciously posted at the end of the corridor to relay the message that I was, in fact, on my way to board. The flight from London to Seoul aboard the airline's Airbus A350 departed without incident and arrived safely in South Korea eleven and a half hours later.
Transfer and boarding process
Several service desks were located throughout the Incheon International Airport transfer area for passengers with inquiries or needing to re-print their boarding passes. After dinner in a Priority Pass lounge, I proceeded to the assigned gate to prepare for departure. Passengers could use both boarding lanes simultaneously, with jet bridges to the upper and lower decks.
My assigned seat was in the rear of the upper deck, and I could locate it quickly. The overhead bins had plenty of space for luggage, and many of them were not even complete by the time the doors closed. The aircraft then proceeded to de-icing before departing for Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport.
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The economy experience
The seats were spacious and comfortable, with thick foam padding not seen on smaller aircraft and budget carriers. There was plenty of legroom, a kick-down footrest, and a flexible headrest for the overnight flight. Each seat was pre-stocked with headphones, a pillow, a blanket, and an amenity kit which contained slippers and a dental hygiene kit.
Flight attendants came by as everyone was getting settled with a gift bag for children, which included a puzzle and coloring book complete with colored pencils (which they also gave to adults upon request).
Each seat was also equipped with a full charging port and USB plugs in the in-flight entertainment system. The flight did not feature WiFi, but some messaging services were available for a charge from the seatback display. The system was loaded with a wide selection of current and classic films. From a brief perusal, the most popular choices on the flight appeared to be the new Elvis film and Minions: Rise of Gru.
The only drawback of the entertainment system was the limited selection of music, with less than ten albums in several categories. The screen also displayed a stretching tutorial towards the end of the flight, which most passengers participated in, resulting in the entire middle row leaning back and forth in sync.
Throughout the flight, the staff showed exceptional attention to customer needs. Call bells were swiftly answered, and requests for additional blankets were promptly fulfilled.
In-flight food and drink offering
The food and beverage service was prompt and efficient. The vegetarian/vegan option was a rice and vegetable dish accompanied by a roll, chickpea salad, and fresh fruit. The other options for dinner included a Bibimbap or chicken pasta served with a soft roll, prawn/shrimp salad, and dessert.
Following dinner, the crew came around with tea, coffee, and additional drinks. Two snacks of pretzels and nibbles were served with drinks throughout the flight. The vegan "breakfast" service was a rice and okra dish with spinach, accompanied by a chopped cucumber tomato salad and fresh fruit. The meal service was also followed by tea and coffee before arrival.
The future of the Airbus A380 at Asiana
The Star Alliance carrier will fly the superjumbo to several destinations this year. The airline will fly the A380 to Sydney 12 more times in February before replacing the aircraft on the route. The airline will continue to serve Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport with the widebody for the rest of the year. The aircraft will so see several rotations to Frankfurt Airport beginning in October.
The airline is currently still negotiating to join fellow Seoul-based carrier Korean Air. Regulators in countries including China and Australia have approved the merger already. However, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority has requested an additional two months to decide regarding the merger.