Review of Korean Air flight from New York to Seoul in Economy

This series covers a recent trip to Manila, Philippines. We booked this trip at least 6 months in advance, but we did experience some schedule changes along the way. We were supposed to leave New York JFK at 13:50 and arrive at Seoul Incheon at 17:20, but weeks after we booked this trip, we were notified via email that our new departure time for KE082 is at 13:30 and new arrival time at 17:50. We also experienced an aircraft change on one of our flights, but that won't be until our Manila - Seoul Incheon flight. Thankfully, all our schedule and aircraft changes were notified in advanced, so we were grateful that we didn't have to encounter any last minute changes to any of our flights with Korean Air. We paid at least $1,490 or more for our round trip fare from New York to Manila, but was difficult when we tried booking the flight, due to the increased airfare prices. Our simple JFK-ICN-MNL-ICN-JFK routing will give us the chance to sample 4 different KE products, which are the Airbus A380-800, Boeing 737-900ER, Boeing 777-300, and Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental. Normally when I take Korean Air on this same exact routing, I would only get to try 2 different KE products, which are the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 777-300 in both directions, but did experience one last minute aircraft change in March 2017 from an Airbus A380-800 to a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, without any prior notification, due to the ticket being booked via travel agency instead of directly from Korean Air. I was disappointed regarding the change a few years later, but unlike now, I actually ended up flying the A380 back to JFK, which is something that wasn't possible this time, but was possible every time I'd return home to JFK. Our routing for this trip:
KE82 - New York JFK - Seoul Incheon - Airbus A380 (HL7619 - MSN 096)
KE625 - Seoul Incheon - Manila - Boeing 737-900ER (HL8272 - MSN 42173/LN 4468)
KE622 - Manila - Seoul Incheon - Boeing 777-300 (HL7532 - MSN 28371/LN 162)
KE85 - Seoul Incheon - New York JFK - Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental (HL7637 - MSN 40909/LN 1529)

We arrived at JFK Airport at least 3:30 prior to departure. We did encounter some long lines at the airport, but thankfully, the Prestige Check-In Counter allowed us to check our bags in the Prestige Class counter, since the other Economy Class counters were taken up by other passengers who were checking in their bags. 

After check-in, the check-in agent issued us our boarding passes. On our connecting flight between Seoul Incheon and Manila, we were supposed to depart from Gate 242 until a last minute gate change was made from Gate 242 to Gate 234, which was confirmed upon our arrival in Seoul Incheon. Despite the change, our boarding passes still indicated that we will be departing ICN from Gate 242, meaning that the boarding passes were still valid. 

Security was quite long, with a lot of people waiting on line to be screened, prior to proceeding to the Departures Area. We actually cleared security at around 11:00 AM, and I was personally looking forward to reaching Gate 5, which was the gate that we boarded our Korean Air A380 flight from. 

After some time walking, we finally reached Gate 5, which is where KE082 will be boarding from. Our aircraft for this flight is a 12.2 year old Airbus A380, with the registration HL7619 (MSN 096). Originally, our assigned aircraft was supposed to have the registration HL7621 (MSN 126), until an airframe swap was made between HL7621 and HL7619. How did I know this? Because days or weeks prior to the flight, I checked on Korean Air's Cargo Website, and two weeks prior to the flight, our aircraft was originally going to be HL7621, until days leading to the flight when the airframe was changed to HL7619. That's when I discovered that the exact aircraft was being changed, except that it wasn't any equipment/aircraft change that you'd normally experience from time to time. Down below is the A380 that will be taking me to Seoul Incheon today.

Along with our A380 on the way, I decided to spot other aircraft also parked at the airport, which are an Asiana Airlines A350-900, EgyptAir B777-300ER, and a Turkish Airlines B777-300ER. Here are their exact tail numbers or aircraft registrations:
Asiana Airlines A350-900: HL8381 (MSN 387) - This aircraft actually wore the Fly Korea special livery between October 2022 and December 2023 to represent South Korea's commitment to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Delivered to Asiana Airlines in February 2020, just a month prior to the COVID-19 outbreak leading to air travel restrictions and stay at home orders being implemented around the world.
EgyptAir B777-300ER: SU-GDP (MSN 38290/LN 918) - Delivered to EgyptAir in February 2011.
Turkish Airlines B777-300ER: TC-JJL (MSN 40793/LN 919) - Delivered to Turkish Airlines in February 2011.
Most interestingly, both SU-GDP and TC-JJL were actually delivered one day apart from each other and were built at similar times, meaning that they carry the same age.

After a good time at the airport, it was finally time to board our Airbus A380 that will be taking me to Seoul Incheon. Our flight was split into three boarding groups, including those with Reduced Mobility and in Premium classes, such as Prestige Class and First Class. I was in Zone 2, meaning that we were the second boarding group in Economy Class to actually board the aircraft after Zone 1. Boarding did take a while, but eventually, we'd be onboard the aircraft.

After boarding, I eventually settled into my Seat 58A. It is a window seat, and actually has a good window view. We were provided the following amenities:
Sleep Kit
Bottled Water
Pillow / Blanket
Earplugs
The seat was pretty clean, and after settling into my seat, the seat was actually very spacious for a 15 hour flight. 

Next to our A380 is an Air France Boeing 777-300ER with the registration F-GSQC. That aircraft parked beside us is actually one of the oldest Boeing 777-300ER's ever built, as it was delivered to Air France in 2004, meaning that the aircraft would be over 20 years old at the time of the flight. Eventually, we'd be pushing back from JFK at 13:29, just one minute early from our estimated departure time, which was at 13:30 local time. I don't have much takeoff footage, but I do have takeoff pictures, meaning that I wasn't able to cover much of the pushback experience during departure.

Over at the distance is actually the new Terminal 1 at JFK, which construction for the new terminal is underway. Eventually, the current (at the time) Terminal 1 will be demolished, in favor of this new terminal, which will become a world-class airport for travelers coming into and out of JFK. 

Also at the distance is presumptively The Rockaways or Long Beach. If you know what the place over the distance is, please leave a comment down below, and I will be happy enough to review your answers in the comments section.

Eventually, we cruised altitude. Upon cruising altitude which was unclear, I visited the Lavatory (loo), where we did encounter some turbulence. As of July 1, 2024, Korean Air did implement huge safety measures to respond to turbulence, and we actually flew one week after the new policy on Korean Air flights went into effect. Then, we were served meal service, which was interrupted due to turbulence, however, the meal service did resume once the turbulence was over.

I went with the Korean Bibimbap, which was pretty good. I was actually looking forward to having this dish for quite some time, and made sure to get it. The quality of the meal was pretty good, along with the presentation of the meal, which was also very good. I was surprised to see that the meal didn't taste bland with less salt, and actually tasted as if I were to eat this on the ground. Eventually, the lights dimmed for nighttime and everyone was asked to close their window shades. Several hours passed, and we were bypassing Alaska, which the views were possible thanks to the exterior cameras installed on the aircraft, which allows passengers to view outside via their IFE or seatback entertainment screen.

A short while later, the cabin lights brightened for snack service. The cabin crew distributed everyone Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, which was pretty good. Despite the sandwich being a bit cold, I still enjoyed the sandwich. I also asked the crew mid-flight if I'd get some ramen cups. Unfortunately, as of August 15, 2024, Korean Air has discontinued Ramen Cups in Economy Class due to increased turbulence fears, which could cause burns in the event of strong turbulence, as the cabin can get dark mid-flight. I don't have any footage of the Ramen, since it was too dark, but I was able to provide some footage of the Sandwich given to us during the middle of the flight.

Sometime during the flight, I decided to visit the duty-free store at the rear of the aircraft. Since my seat was super close to the duty-free shop, going there wasn't a problem, as there were proper handles for me to get there safely. There wasn't too much action going on, but people decided to stretch their legs and have a conversation at the shop during the middle of the flight. There was actually a passenger who actually spent most of his time at the shop eating Ramen to stretch his legs, which I did notice whenever I'd get up to either stretch my legs or use the lavatory. Here is some footage that I got from the duty-free shop:

Eventually after a long hours of sleep, everyone finally woke up for the final meal service. I was surprised when I found out that meal service was being offered two hours prior to landing, as I think that the crew would have to rush to ensure that a big load of passengers get their meals given and collected at a timely manner. I actually opted for the Beef with Rice, which was pretty good. The meal came with a Carrot Cake, and that also tasted very good.

After the second and final meal service, everything was put away. Despite it only being two hours left prior to landing and the aircraft remaining at 40,000 feet the whole time, it felt like we actually were landing in Seoul, due to some of the bounces felt on the aircraft, which made it feel like we were actually landing. I was able to visit the duty-free shop for a final time, and this time, I was able to provide footage of the staircase leading to the Upper Deck, where Business (Prestige) Class is located. 

A short while later, the airline provided us with information regarding our connecting flights. Surprisingly, that information was available on our IFE screens, and we were given access to connecting flight information of all the flights that the transiting passengers on our flight will be connecting to. I was surprised to find out that we didn't have any passengers continuing onwards to Bangkok, Thailand, as Bangkok is very popular for passengers flying on Korean Air. The only destinations (other than Seoul) that the connecting passengers were connecting onwards to was: Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Hong Kong, and Cebu. Of all those flights, we will be connecting onwards to Manila, Philippines (MNL) on Korean Air flight KE 625, which is scheduled to depart at 20:15 (8:15PM) at Gate 234. 

Unlike my previous flights with Korean Air, where we used to transfer at Terminal 1, we will be transferring at Terminal 2. This is actually my first time at Incheon Airport Terminal 2, as I haven't been to Asia since 2017, and was looking forward to our transit experience at Terminal 2. I actually longed to visit the terminal since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, so I was looking forward for that visit.

Shortly after, we were landing at Terminal 2. Since this was the first time on a widebody airliner in over 7 years, along with the weather at Incheon being the factor, the landing on the A380 was very heavy, compared to traditional narrowbody single-aisle airliners. The weather at Incheon Airport was cloudy, with some rain bypassing our way to Incheon Airport. As of July 1, 2024 (which was one week before this flight), Korean Air has implemented new safety measures to fight turbulence by ending cabin service 40 minutes before landing. This seems to be helping, as the crew halted meal distribution during a turbulence. I apologize that I wasn't able to get the best landing footage at Incheon Airport.

Upon landing, we were taxied to Gate 266, where our flight KE082 was deplaned at Incheon Airport Terminal 2. While I wasn't able to get this footage, our A380 was next to a Korean Air 747-8i (HL7637) parked at Gate 265 preparing for a flight to Honolulu, HI (HNL). The Boeing 747-8i parked next to us was actually the same Boeing 747 that took me back to New York JFK. 

Unfortunately, Korean Air will be retiring its entire A380 fleet by 2026. This means that this will (probably) be the final time I ever get to try a Korean Air A380, as they will be retiring them in two years (at the time of writing this report). I just wished that they would hold on to these birds for a bit longer, as they are fairly young. In May 2024, Korean Air has announced intentions to sell 5 Boeing 747-8i aircraft to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) for the US Air Force's upcoming E-4B replacement. If you don't know what the Boeing E-4B is, the E-4B actually serves as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), and since the modified Boeing 747-200's are approaching 50 years old, they will need a replacement. I believe that since Korean Air will not be taking delivery of Boeing 777-9's (an order was announced weeks after this flight and my flight to Manila) until 2028, and will not have enough 747's to fulfill high-demand routes to Los Angeles and New York JFK, I think that the airline should reactivate some A380's currently in storage, takeover Asiana's A380 fleet, and keep its entire A380 fleet until the 2030's, which would help the airline fulfill the capacity needed on some high-capacity routes.