Los Angeles (LAX) to Seoul (ICN)
On the Ground: The Star Alliance lounge in Los Angeles International Airport’s Tom Bradley Terminal offers an excellent start for business travelers. The lounge features a varied selection of small plates, a full-service bar, seating that overlooks the terminal, and an outdoor terrace with fire pits and comfortable seating. Local art and quotes give the space a distinct Los Angeles character. The Tom Bradley Terminal also provides a wide range of dining options, retail shops and duty-free stores for last-minute purchases.
Pre-Flight: Asiana’s Airbus A380 boards efficiently through its two-level doors. My business-class seat was located on the upper deck near the front. The staggered 1-2-1 layout provides good privacy for each passenger, and the window position included numerous storage compartments that easily held a laptop, tablet and other essentials. Cabin crew offered juice, water and newspapers before takeoff, and I was pleased to receive a copy of Global Traveler. Departure was on schedule, and the A380 delivered the smooth ascent it is known for.
In-Flight: After reaching cruise altitude, I took time to explore the seat area. Asiana provides a large personal screen with a robust selection of American and international films and music, controlled by a handy side controller. The seat itself felt a bit narrow but was well-padded and offered multiple preset recline positions before converting to a full 180-degree flat bed for sleeping.
For lunch I ordered the Korean meal and began with hot green tea and a warm towel. The appetizers arrived as three small plates: prosciutto on a melon-and-ricotta–filled mushroom, a selection of pickled vegetables, and hobakjuk (Korean pumpkin porridge). My main course was ssambap—steamed rice, grilled beef and bean paste served with large lettuce and leafy greens for wrapping. The presentation and flavors recalled the interactive feel of Korean barbecue, a pleasing prelude to arrival in Seoul. Dessert was cheesecake, accompanied by a small glass of Camus XO Cognac as a nightcap.
Not being a frequent in-flight sleeper, I watched another movie and did some work, then wandered the cabin. The forward upper-deck business section includes two lavatories, one of which is notably larger than typical aircraft restrooms and even contains a small seating area. Bathrooms were stocked with L’Occitane products and a personal amenity kit. A compact business lounge on the upper deck offered four seats, a large screen and drink service; it remained largely unused during my flight, though I enjoyed walking up and down the stairs between decks to stretch my legs and experience the novelty of onboard stairs at cruise altitude.
During the final hours of the flight, attentive cabin crew served breakfast, tidied the cabin and continued to replenish green tea and other refreshments.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ The Korean cuisine served onboard offered authentic flavors presented with a modern touch.
◆ Asiana’s cabin crew were professional, attentive and proactive in meeting passenger needs.
◆ The A380’s wide-body design contributes to particularly smooth takeoffs and landings.