Trip Report: Asiana Airlines First Class - Los Angeles to Seoul

Summary: As part of a larger Star Alliance itinerary, the Asiana Airlines segment from LAX-ICN was one of the most memorable air travel experiences I've ever had. The highest of standards in customer service began at the airport and continued throughout the flight. Cabin Crew were dedicated to ensuring every aspect of comfort was made available to guests during the journey over the waters to Asia. It's no wonder Asiana Airlines has been voted the best airline in the world for 2010 - even ahead of Singapore and Qatar Airlines.

San Francisco Airport Asiana First Class Lounge

A selection of fresh food, snacks, drinks, newspapers and entertainment

Asiana Airlines First Class: Los Angeles - Seoul - Boeing 747-400. March 20, 2010.

Aircraft configuration: First Class (10 flat bed seats) 83" pitch 20.5" Width

Business Class (45 angled lie-flat seats), Economy Class (304 Seats)

Lunch

Bubbles: 1999 Taittinger Comtes

Canape: Grilled Scallop with Cheese Sauce

Appetizer: Beef Tenderloin Slice, Grilled Tuna and Mozzarella Cheese

Soup: Carrot Soup

Mixed Greens: With Cesar Dressing

Main Course: 'Mixing and Harmonizing' - Korean Bibimbab

Cheese and Fruit: A variety of choices

Desert: Cheese Cake

Coffee & Tea

Petits Fours

Mid-Flight Snacks

Udong

Sandwich

Assorted Fruits

Pre-Landing "Snack"

Appetizer: Marinated Shrimp, Roast Beef and Vegetables

Main Course: Grilled Seabass

Desert: Fruit Tart

Coffee and Tea

Complimentary first class toiletries, travel bag, pajamas and gift.

United to Offer Complimentary Cocktails Over the Pacific

From UAflyer06 over on the Flyertalk forums comes word of some exciting food and beverage changes on future United flights. Effective August 1, 2009, United will offer free alcoholic drinks in economy class over the Pacific. Previously free booze and cocktail service was limited to folks in the front of the plane. This change better aligns United with Asia-based airlines, who have historically offered free drinks to all passengers on flights.

Other changes: For short-haul flights, those $6 snack boxes will each have a unique theme (Active, Classic, Luxe, and Organic) with tasty new goodies inside. The fresh food menu, offered on select routes in North America, will soon include a vegetarian option. These menu changes are also expected to begin August 1st.

Continental Airlines 'Take Away' Commercial

This Continental Airlines ad, posted two years ago on YouTube, pokes fun at other airlines for taking away some of the basic amenities passengers are accustomed to - ones still offered at Continental.

How Its Made: Airline Meals (Friday Fun)

While heavily focused on airline meals in the front of the plane (business and first), this video nevertheless enlightens us on the comprehensive steps followed in order to produce a tasty and enjoyable dining experience in the air.


Want to see what meals are dished up by each of the airlines? Visit airlinemeals.net for pictures and reviews of airline food in the sky, and in the airport lounges around the world.

Travel Tips For A Relaxing Flight

By Mike Grasso
It seems much of the travel news lately has been dominated by service cutbacks and added fees. We've heard everything from airlines slashing routes, cutting out in-flight entertainment, utilizing fewer flight attendants, and now even an increase in the cost to purchase alcohol; so much for drinking away the aches of air travel. But there are steps you can take to improve your next flight experience, even in the wake of industry changes negatively impacting travelers.

-Bring your own _____ (fill in the blank). Pillow, food, toiletries, hand sanitizer, baby wipes (for those foul tray tables). Do not let the poor quality or lack of these items on your flight be the cause of a bad experience. Bring your own goodies. Chances are, the food you bring on the plane will be an improvement over anything the airline is serving up.

-Carry water on board. TSA permits empty water bottles to be carried through security check points. You can fill these up at water fountains, or at food vendors inside the airport terminal before boarding your plane. We all know staying hydrated is important for health, but it is particularly necessary during flight when the air is quite dry.

-Create your own entertainment. As fun as watching passengers try to cram oversize luggage into the small overhead compartments is, at some point the plane must leave and you will be forced to find other forms of entertainment. Consider bringing along a variety of books, magazines, digital music player, laptop, diary or camera. Conversation with a fellow traveler can be pleasing, at times, too. The idea is to have a reserve of options available to you.

-Pick your seat in advance, then again at check-in. That is, pick your seat once you buy your ticket, then look again during check-in. Sometimes a better seat opens up, or an aircraft swap (for a larger or smaller one) means your original seat assignment changed.

American testing new snacks for flights departing San Francisco

In an effort to appeal to more customers, between Nov. 5 and Nov. 25, on a weekly-rotating schedule, American will test four new snack and beverage items on morning and afternoon flights departing San Francisco and Los Angeles to New York John F. Kennedy (JFK). Available for $3, the test will feature Starbucks doubleshot Espresso & Cream, FUZE Green Tea, vitaminwater power-c, and CLIF Bar Chocolate Brownie Energy Bars.

Then, between Dec. 3 and Dec. 23, on a weekly-rotating schedule, American will test three different premium fresh items on afternoon transcontinental flights departing from San Francisco to New York JFK. Available for $10, the test will feature a fruit and cheese plate, antipasto platter, and a premium sandwich.