At the Airport

Singapore Changi Airport

Check-in

Asiana Airlines departs from Changi Airport Terminal 3. The airline operates check-in counters in Row 8, to the right of the terminal building, with Door 6 being the nearest door to these counters. Of the seven check-in counters, two are dedicated to Business Class passengers, one to their Diamond-tier members, two for Economy Class passengers, and another two for passengers who have completed their check-in online. Asiana Airlines check-in counters open 3 hours before the flight. As we arrived slightly ahead of the counter opening time, we used Asiana Airlines’ early check-in counter in counter 7. Although not located in a dedicated Business Class counter, the ground staff’s check-in experience was very pleasant. The staff welcomed us and were very efficient in processing our check-in, and we were checked in within 5 minutes. Before sending us off to our boarding gates, the friendly ground staff presented us with a lounge invitation and provided us with directions to the two lounges we could use.

SilverKris Lounge

Flying out of Singapore, Asiana Airlines Business Class passengers can use the SATS Premier Lounge or Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3. Both lounges are located near each other, one floor above the airside departure hall. We went to the SilverKris Lounge. The escalator diagonally opposite Bacha Coffee brings us directly to the lounge entrance. As the flagship lounge in their home port, the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge did not disappoint. The lounge was spacious, with clearly marked areas for relaxing and dining. The area to the right of the main entrance houses the lounging area, which is mostly furnished with armchairs. There are also some high tables with power outlets that double up as work tables for passengers who want to get some work done. Singapore Airlines thoughtfully included a small buffet area in this part of the lounge, allowing passengers to grab some small bites without having to walk over to the main buffet line on the other side of the lounge. The bar is also located to the right of the entrance to the SilverKris Lounge, where passengers can select from a wide range of drinks, including cocktails and mocktails, from the extensive drink menu.

The area to the left of the SilverKris Lounge entrance primarily houses the dining area, where the main buffet line and showers are located. In addition to the dining tables and chairs for two people, a small lounging area is furnished with armchairs, located closer to the entrance in this part of the lounge. This is also where the toilets and shower rooms are located. There is another lounging area in a separate area opposite the buffet line. I like how Singapore Airlines has allocated a significant portion of the SilverKris lounge to dining seating in this area. Being housed in the same space as the main buffet line creates convenience for passengers to access the extensive food offerings, which include local dishes. On top of food from the buffet line, passengers can also order made-to-order noodles from the two food stations at either end of the buffet line. I highly recommend the laksa served at the SilverKris Lounge.

There are several shower rooms in this lounge, which are usually quite popular. Fortunately, there is hardly a queue for them during our visit. To use these shower rooms, we simply had to approach the staff stationed at the toilets to obtain a buzzer. The shower rooms in SilverKris Lounge are sizeable and well-designed, exuding luxury with their dark grey marble walls and light grey marble flooring. In addition to the large walk-in shower, equipped with both rain and regular shower heads, the shower rooms are also fitted with a toilet.

Incheon International Airport

Check-in

Asiana Airlines has a dedicated area for Business Class passengers at Row A of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, located at the extreme right of the terminal. The Business Class check-in counters are located in an enclosed area, where a staff member is stationed to ensure only Business Class passengers can be admitted. Asiana Airlines has four check-in counters here serving Business Class passengers. There was no queue during our visit to the Business Class check-in area. As we did not have to perform check-in, we did not experience the check-in service at these counters. We could have used either the Asiana Lounge or the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, located at the airside, and opted for the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge. From our experience at the Asiana Lounge on Mar 25, we felt the lounge was rather underwhelming.

SilverKris Lounge

The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge is located opposite Gate 29, one floor above the east side of the departure hall. The SilverKris Lounge at Incheon Airport exudes luxury with its use of marble walls at the entrance. The bar in the centre of the lounge captures one’s attention, serving a range of cocktails, mocktails, and iced coffee. The dining seats in the lounge are primarily arranged along the walls, with most of these seats located in the area after the reception, and four of these seats next to the buffet line. The main part of the lounge is primarily furnished with armchairs and small side tables, as well as a limited number of high-back armchairs. There are several long tables, mainly located near the bar and along the perimeter of the lounge, which can accommodate larger groups or serve as a workstation.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge offer a small selection of hot food, but still more choices compared to the Asiana Airlines Lounge next door. In addition to the hot food selection, a counter serves cold dishes, including salads, bread, and cold cuts. The famous Singapore Airlines Laksa is available at this SilverKris Lounge, and can be ordered from the staff at the buffet line. The SilverKris Lounge is fitted with three shower rooms and is mostly empty during both our visits to the lounge. The shower rooms are a little small, but they are still fitted with a toilet on top of the walk-in shower. There is no dedicated space for me to stow my carry-on, other than on top of the toilet. However, I appreciate that shower facilities are available here and the absence of a queue.

The Aircraft

Asian Air operates A350-900 aircraft for this flight between Singapore and Seoul, featuring their “newest” Business Smartium Seats.

The Cabin

Asiana Airlines’ A350-300 Business Class cabin had a bright and airy feel, with a royal vibe. The seats in the cabin are decked in beige, which matches the cream-coloured seat shells. The headrest cover and pillows are adorned in yellow, a symbol of royalty and nobility in Korean culture. The airline chose brown carpeting that complements the beige and yellow colour used in the seats very well. The cabin felt bright and airy, thanks to the extensive use of white lights. Asiana Airlines’ three-class A350-300 is configured with 28 Business Class seats in a single cabin, 36 Economy Smartium seats (essentially Economy Class seats with longer seat pitch), and 247 Economy Class seats spread over two sections. The Business Class seats on Asiana’s A350-300 are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

There are only two lavatories located at the front of the Business Class cabin, serving all 36 passengers onboard the Asiana Airlines A350-900 aircraft. The lavatory feels a little smaller than those of the same type of aircraft operated by other airlines, and the choice of fittings in these lavatories does not convey a premium feel. Perhaps the only differentiating factor between these lavatories is the additional amenities, such as dental kits, combs, and mouthwashes, in addition to the L’Occitane body cum hand lotion, and Eau de Toilette, available in these two Business Class lavatories.

The Seat

Asiana Airlines named its Business Class seats the Business Smartium seats (which is hardly “smart”). The Business Smartium seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, with even-numbered seats placed next to the window, while odd-numbered seats have the side table next to the window. Each Business Smartium seat has a pitch of 77″ and measures 22″ wide, which I find the seats a little narrow. Like most long-haul Business Class seats, Asiana Airlines’s Business Smartium seats also come in upright, lounge and flatbed modes. While these Business Smartium seats were sufficiently padded to prevent one from feeling the knicks and crannies of the seat, they are not exactly thick enough for me to want to stay seated for prolonged periods. In bed mode, Asiana Airlines’ Business Smartium seats can be reclined 180°, turning the seat into a bed. The high shell back design of the seat provided some privacy, especially for passengers not seated next to the aisle. In between the flatbed and the upright mode is my favourite lounge mode, where the seat is adjusted to an angle for greater comfort. Other than the preset angle, the seat angle can be further adjusted to suit one’s preference using the seat control buttons situated above the armrest on the side table console.

The biggest issue I have with Asiana Airlines’ Business Smartium seats is their limited storage space. There weren’t any cabinets on the side table console for us to stow our smaller items. The only storage space in these Business Smartium seats is the pathetically small cubby holes under the armrest next to the side table console. Even this cubby is too small to fit my passport or mobile phones. Most of the time, I either have to hold on to my belongings (since placing them in the footwell was not an option during takeoffs and landings) or place them on my seat next to where I am seated. When it comes to power outlets, Asiana Airlines’ Business Smartium seats are equipped with a USB-A charging outlet located above the side table, which charges at a slow rate. There is another power socket in the seat, but it is located below the armrest cubby hole, which means passengers wanting to use this socket would require a long charging cable. I also found it weird that Asiana Airlines’ Business Smartium seats have two seat pockets. One is beside the seat by the side console table, and the other is near the floor under the seat table storage, which is a missed opportunity for the airlines to provide their Business Class passengers with more storage space. The Business Smartium seats feature a dedicated spot to hold bottled water, available upon request, and a headphone holder located in front of the seat pocket, adjacent to the seat. Another spot for storage is the space under the footwell underneath the TV screen.

Despite its flaws, I like the design of the seat table in these Business Smartium seats. The seat tables can be conveniently pivoted, allowing passengers to exit their seats without needing to return the table to its storage position. In addition to the reading lights above the seat, Asiana Airlines’ Business Smartium seats are equipped with another reading light located next to the seat.

Inflight Entertainment

Asiana Airlines’ Business Smartium seats are equipped with a large 18.5″ personal monitor with touchscreen function. I thought the picture quality was mediocre, not sure if it was due to ageing. Although the screen does not have a tilting function, I was still able to watch movies on it while lying in bed mode. Asiana Airlines’ Inflight Entertainment is also equipped with an easy-to-use PSP-like IFE controller. The IFE controller primarily utilises the touchscreen function to manage the various entertainment options curated by the airline for its passengers. The headphones supplied by Asiana Airlines are comfortable to use, but the lack of noise cancellation functions meant we had to combat listening to the audio from the show we were watching with the ambient noise from the cabin and the engines throughout the flight. Asiana Airlines termed its entertainment system OZ:enter, where entertainment options are catalogued into Movies, TV, Music, Shopping and Connectivity. The Movie menu is further categorised into regions for faster selection. I’d say OZ:enter has a large variety of entertainment, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the latest Korean and Asian movies, as well as TV series that kept me entertained when I wasn’t sleeping.

Meal

Asiana Airlines serves one meal throughout the 6-hour flight between Singapore and Seoul. Onboard these flights, apart from the main meal, the airlines also serve up instant ramen on demand to passengers who are peckish after the main meal. Meals include a choice of Korean and Western options.

SIN – ICN

The cabin crew serve meals about 1 hour after takeoff to maximise sleep time for passengers. For this leg, the menu comprises two Western options: Prawn Pasta and Braised Chicken, while the Beef Bibimbap is served under the Korean option. I chose the Korean option, where meals were served on beautiful Korean-patterned china. Meals were served course by course, and the stuffed cucumber with beef appetiser was delicious. The Korean main course came in a set with rice, soup, kimchi, and pickled quail eggs, accompanied by beautifully presented vegetables and stir-fried beef. The bibimbap did not disappoint. The Korean Gochujang harmonises the rice with the bowl of vegetables and beef. Fruits and Korean bean jelly, accompanied with rice crackers, were served as dessert. While I swapped my dessert with my friend, the fruits served were sweet and juicy. I was not given options to choose from the bread basket for the Korean option I chose. My friend opted for the Braised Chicken Western option and was presented with the bread basket for his selection of bread after the salad with salmon appetiser was served. I had a bite of the salmon and thought it was a little dry. The Braised Chicken main course was delicious and flavourful. I had my friend’s Oreo Tiramisu dessert, which was very tasty. Overall, I thought the Korean option was far tastier.

ICN – SIN

Meals were also served approximately 1 hour after takeoff. For this flight, grilled beef tenderloin and yellow curry chicken steak were the two main courses from the Western option that passengers could choose. As for the Korean option, Ssambap was the only option for dinner. I opted for the Ssambap, which is beef bulgogi served with rice, complete with kimchi, soup, and a cold steamed egg. The way to eat Ssambap is to wrap the beef in the many vegetable leaves that came with the meal, topped with rice and Gochujang. My Korean option meals began with eggplant as an appetiser, which is rich in flavour. The beef in the Ssambap was very well seasoned and tender, and the kimchi was very flavourful. For dessert, I was served fruits, followed by a Red Bean rice cake (which I exchanged with my friend for his dessert). My friend opted for the chicken curry Western option, and I sampled both the shrimp and the chicken. The shrimp in the salad tasted fresh, and the curry chicken was delicious and tender. I had my friend’s Cherry Blossom Cheese Cake for dessert. The cake is fluffy, but I did not taste any cherry blossom flavour.

Service

SIN – ICN

I found the service on this leg of the flight to be mediocre and unmemorable. The cabin crew came across as task-oriented, as if they were simply checking off whatever their SOP required. They are by no means rude or anything, but just felt a little scripted. We received the usual greetings at the door and were guided to the aisle for our seats. Cabin crew were not seen helping passengers to locate a spot for our bags, nor seen patrolling the cabin after meal service. Having said that, I observed the cabin crew was very responsive when I accidentally pressed the call attendant button. I’m not sure if it’s a practice by Asiana Airlines, but we were not served welcome drinks during boarding or warm nuts while meals were being prepared.

ICN – SIN

The service for this leg is much better than my outbound leg. The cabin crew were always wearing their smiles, and nothing seemed too small to bother them. We were warmly welcomed by the cabin crew at the door and directed to our seats for direct access. When seated, another cabin crew member came by, introducing herself and providing a brief orientation of the cabin, including the location of the lavatories and where we could store our luggage. As Asiana Airlines’ A350-900 business Class cabins are not fitted with a centre overhead bin, and the one nearest to mine was all occupied. When I raised this issue with the cabin crew, she immediately put down her task and helped me find a space near my seat to place my carry-on. The cabin crew were very responsive to the call attendant buttons and immediately responded whenever I requested drinks and extra snacks. They were efficient in fulfilling my orders and always did it with a smile. Despite finding it weird, I liked how the cabin crew go around serving pre-landing drinks. Despite the efforts of the female cabin crew, the attitude of an elderly male cabin crew member, presumably the cabin manager, was less than desirable. He was hardly seen around the cabin, and when he popped out from his hiding, I hardly saw any smile on his face. When he goes around serving passengers, it seems that he does not want to be here. Fortunately, he stayed hidden most of the time, and we were able to enjoy the service from the rest of the female cabin crew.

Afterthought

Overall, I had a good flight with Asiana Airlines. The seats are comfortable, but I find them a little narrow, which might impede the sleeping position. My biggest issue with Asiana Airlines Business Smartium seats is the lack of storage space. There is only one small cubby hole that is already full when I store my mobile phone, cable, and charging cable. I thought Asiana Airlines wasted the space by having two seat pockets, when the space allotted to the seat pocket by the side table can be used to provide more storage for passengers. The food served onboard is delicious and of high quality. Services seem inconsistent across the two legs of my flights. Our outbound leg was served by cabin crew who had lukewarm interactions with passengers and were mostly out of sight, except when taking orders for our meal choices and serving food. The service for our inbound flight was much better, as the cabin crew were personable and approachable, always serving with a smile. I enjoyed my inbound flight better.