SkyTeam alliance member Korean Air will upgrade its daily Sydney-Seoul flights to its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft from October.
Replacing the current Airbus A330s plying the route, the A380 brings with it almost 50% more seats to offer 12 suites in first class, 94 fully-flat business class beds and 301 seats in economy, topping out at 407 passengers.
The superjumbo will appear on all KE121 flights (ex. Seoul) from October 30 and KE122 services (ex. Sydney) from October 31, returning to the current Airbus A330 from March 26 and 27 2017, respectively.
Up front in first class, you'll find the airline's 'Kosmo' suites...
... offering every passenger direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 layout (as you'd expect), in an open 'semi-cubicle' design:
They're wide, lie-flat sleepers surrounded by a hard plastic shell shaped somewhat like a bathtub – a comparison that's hard to resist when the reading lamp looks a bit like a designer tap.
The entire upper deck is given over to 94 'Prestige' business class seats in a 2-2-2 layout.
These extend into fully-flat beds, although passengers in the window seats must step over their seatmates in order to access the aisle.
There are also two on-board lounges: a smaller space at the front of the aircraft...
... and the more spacious Celestial Lounge at the rear of the upper deck.
This area includes a bar which serves, among other things, six Absolut-based cocktails.
Unique to Korean Air's A380 is the world's first flying duty-free store, found at the rear of the lower deck.
Korean Air's daily Sydney-Seoul flight, KE122, will leave the gate at 9am to reach the South Korean capital at 5:40pm, while the return journey, KE121, is an overnight service: departing at 6:45pm and touching down at 6:55am the next day.
These Airbus A380 flights are now open for booking on the Korean Air website:Competitor Asiana Airlines will fly its Airbus A380s between Seoul and Sydney in November 2016 as well, but for six flights only, in place of the usual Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s.
Korean Air also upgraded its Brisbane-Seoul flights to its newest Airbus A330 aircraft with fully-flat beds in business class and new suites in first class: the same jets that will return to Sydney after the A380 completes its run.
More photos: Inside Korean Air's new Airbus A380 superjumbo
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Two lounges, onboard duty free shop, entire upper level of J, very impressive A380.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2015
Total posts 121
There's a large Korean student population in Sydney, their parents visit them frequently. What a blow to Asiana. They'll be losing customers to Korean. As far as this jumbo jet goes, Korean's configuration is a step ahead of everyone else in the region.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Platinum
29 Aug 2014
Total posts 34
As long as my nuts are heated and served in a bowl..
02 Mar 2015
Total posts 3
Say What
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards Platinum
29 Aug 2014
Total posts 34
I was really hoping to see Korean Air's B747-8i for SYD-ICN route though :(
20 May 2015
Total posts 11
Yes, much nicer in the premium cabins, they use it for AKL-ICN over the summer.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
16 May 2011
Total posts 111
Would love it if KE returns to MEL, have missed their service, had that great Seoul stop over option for European flights too. Even though it was abit out of the way, I always enjoyed the service on KE.
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 269
.... and for Israel too. They are the only Non Israeli Airline in Asia that flies to Tel Aviv direct
03 Aug 2015
Total posts 58
I think they will eventually its just how soon - I agree they offer a fantastic service and I would also consider connecting with them for Northern China
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Sydney airport must be close to running out of A380 gates at that time of the moring...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
*morning
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
17 Feb 2016
Total posts 44
I flew First a couple of months ago and it was brilliant. This airline certainly takes the cake for funniest pyjamas. (very doctor evil!). My only minor gripe was that I couldnt get a beer or champagne at the bar upstairs. They would only serve me a vodka cocktails which they may need to rethink, especially if their Aus traffic picks.
Of course I did the right thing and had one before heading bakc down to the self servie bar in forst to crack a botle of perrier jouet belle .
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 122
Korean air are also upgrading brisbane to daily and 6x weekly between 1 December and 1 March
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