Korean to Fly the A380 ATL-ICN – First Class Redemptions Possible…if you can find them

by Adam

As per an Airline Route posting this morning, Korean Air will begin flying the A380 from Atlanta to Seoul this coming January.

Korean Air from 01JAN13 is launching Airbus A380 service on Seoul Incheon – Atlanta service, where the aircraft will operate daily KE035/036 flight. Initially the Skyteam member will operate A380 on daily basis from 01JAN13 to 31JAN13, but this will be reduced to 3 weekly from 01FEB13. From 01FEB13, overall service to Atlanta appears to be reduced from 10 to 7 weekly as KE033/034 service is closed for reservation.

Schedule:
KE035 ICN1005 – 0930ATL 388 D
KE033 ICN1915 – 1840ATL 772 246

KE034 ATL0100 – 0550+1ICN 772 357
KE036 ATL1200 – 1700+1ICN 388 D

Delta Redemptions

This is another A380 award redemption opportunity from North America, though you’ll be limited to economy and business class if your using Delta SkyMiles. Remember, Korean Air is very good in terms of releasing award space but you will need to find it first.  It used to be viewable via Expert Flyer, though that’s now limited to intra-asia flights and you’ll have to call Delta directly in order to search for availability.

First Class A380 Redemptions

You can also sign up for the Korean Air Skypass program and transfer your Ultimate Rewards points directly to Korean for redemption at a 1:1 ratio. Even better, KE first class was previously only available to elite Skypass members, but is now available to all members for redemptions on any aircraft including the A380.  KE also flies a daily A380 from JFK and LAX to Seoul. Redemption prices are 70k for economy, 125k for Business Sleeper,  and 160k for First Class Sleeper. However, there are blackout dates on redemptions which will require additional points so refer to the KE website for full details.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az4THhM1VkQ

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10 comments

elsie August 14, 2012 - 8:56 pm

I would redeem by transferring miles through Ultimate Rewards directly to Korean. Can anyone confirm that they offer one-way awards?

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adam August 14, 2012 - 9:09 pm

@elsie – they do allow one way awards!

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elsie August 14, 2012 - 9:25 pm

Great! This is an “aspirational” award. Now to find availablity!

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Benny August 14, 2012 - 10:59 pm

I’ve been looking to use KE to fly to Asia in January and ATL is perfect.

So if I’m using Skymiles to book a biz class ticket on the A380, I’d need to call Delta and just ask? Also which number would I call? The DL medallion line?

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adam August 15, 2012 - 5:58 am

@Benny – Yep, you can call the medallion line to make the booking. Make sure you call knowing the flight numbers that you want and verify the A380 schedule for your travel dates – check out http://www.koreanair.com. If you get a Delta agent who isn’t properly searching or seems to only be looking at Delta flights with connections, call back and speak to someone else. Good Luck!

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Benny August 15, 2012 - 12:57 pm

Thanks Adam!!

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adam August 15, 2012 - 2:44 pm

@Benny – NP, let us know your results!

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elsie August 16, 2012 - 5:22 pm

Am I the only one who thinks those seats don’t look really flat?

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adam August 16, 2012 - 5:31 pm

@elsie – I flew from JFK-ICN on the sleeper seat about two years ago when it was first updated. It was a 777-300ER and the business seat was marketed as “180-degree lie-flat seat with a 74-inch (188cm) pitch”, though I would say it was just slightly short of 180. Just a tiny bit but enough for me to notice. Supposedly it feels 180-degree lie-flat on the A380.

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The Weekly Flyer September 2, 2012 - 5:08 pm

I noticed the 777 J seats are at a slight angle. Can’t speak to the A380 J seat yet.

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