May 9th was on a Friday. I've always had this bucket list to go to the airport right after school, using my freedom to full effect. All the things came together and when I saw this flight available for cheap I went on with it without hesitation.
As you can see with the booking classes for both flights, I managed to get them cheap, just over 350,000KRW. This would mean I had to go to the airport right after my class, which finishes at 1700 and get back to school for my class at 1000 when I arrive at 0550.
This would be my 5th flight on the OZ733/734 run, and OZ733 is extra special as it was my first international flight I'd ever taken, back in 2014. On the four times I've been on this route, in chronological order, I've been on an A330 (HL7746), a B747 (HL7423), a B777 (HL8254), and a B767 (HL7516). I've also been on their day flight before COVID when it was OZ728/729 on their at the time brand new A350 (HL7579).
With this tough schedule, I decided to do what I never do, which is check in online. I normally never check in online because I like to collect boarding passes. But, with the time NOT on our hands, I had to check in online and get a QR code.
I made my way to the airport right after the class. Took the taxi because I was short on time, and set me back about 50,00KRW. The subway and the Airport Express route was only about 20 minutes longer but every minute counted.
My flight today would be on the A330, HL7740, which was at the time the oldest A330 in Asiana's fleet with 20 years under its belt.
If I recall correctly, HL7795, or one of the A330s with the newer seats was designated my flight, but it was later switched to HL7740 due to scheduling. This wouldn't make a difference, as HL7740 also came in delayed from its previous flight from SZX.
I chose Asiana in the first place because I specifically wanted to fly on the old A330s before they all go. Vietjet had cheaper tickets but didn't offer the same times and Jeju was slightly cheaper but didn't swerve me away. So, this switch to the old equipment was a good thing for me.
Our flight plan for today. Just the usual, with the route over Jeju, Shanghai and Guangzhou before NAKHA.
Arrived at the airport with torrential rain. Very poor visibility, and the taxi had to slow due to the heavy rainfall. This picture was taken at 1745, so the taxi ride took about 40 minutes. You can also see the revised Asiana logo without the red highlight. This will all be a sight not to be seen again, with Asiana moving to T2 on January 14th 2026.
Because I was in such a rush, I didn't take a lot of pictures. I used the check in kiosks at the C counters which took no time at all. I had my QR boarding pass and I sent my bag through in 4 minutes after getting off the taxi.
I went through security without issues and was through to airside in 20 minutes after arriving at the airport.
I don't think the swift process was because of the lack of flights. I think it was more to do with the fact that I was late to everything allowing me to avoid all the rush. The evening departure time is very crowded with flights to Southeast Asia and the Americas as well as to Oceania all bunched up in a few hours.
I was through security around 18:10 and my plane hadn't even reached Jeju yet.
Looks like the airline already was braced for a delay. Do think the new departure time is a bit optimistic with the progress the plane is making.
First aircraft I saw at the gate was this Qatar A350-1000. This particular jet is A7-ANS, which is the low density version, operating the QR862/863 run, which started operation not too long ago. This only operates once a week, Thursday DOH departure and Friday ICN departure. The other Qatar aircraft in the background is A7-AOA which is the high density version, a regular visitor at ICN ever since A35Ks replaced the 77W for the QR858/859 run in 2023.
QR858 arrives at ICN around 5PM and departs around midnight as QR859. QR862 arrives at around 10AM and departs around 6PM as QR863. This flight only operates once a week as the government approved operation rights for 8-weekly flights to DOH recently, having only been 7 weekly flights just two years ago.
Some more pictures from the terminal, as you can see the gloomy weather isn't helping one bit.
A6-EPX arrived from DXB and is here offloading passengers. This jet came in as EK324 which operates thrice weekly with the government having increased operation rights from 7 to 10 weekly. It is interesting that Qatar chose to operate on a different timeslot with the added flight while Emirates decided to use a similar timeslot, basically just adding seats to the usual A380 flight.
EPX is an old version of the 77W in the Emirates fleet. However, as of the time of writing, EK324/325 operates with the new 77Ws, fitted with the gamechanger first class.
My flight was assigned gate 39, which is a gate on the west side of the terminal. Not rare, but certainly not usual either. Asiana has a lot of flights bunched up on gates 3 to 28 which is the east side, while the other carriers use the west side.
HL7740 arrived at our gate at around 19:35, which was basically when we were supposed to depart. As turning the plane around with cleaning, catering and just the overall set up takes up around an hour, I was braced for another delay.
Flights to Southeast Asia seems to be very much prone to delays. This particular flight, OZ733, had 4 delays in the last week prior to my flight, if I recall correctly. I think there was a shortage of equipment with the scheduling and stuff, which raises some questions as Asiana planned to retire two of their A330s with the new A350s that later went to Korean Air filling the spaces.
I boarded at 20:27, and was one of the last ones to board. The crew probably rushed the process and managed to get it turned around in around 40 minutes.
My seat for today, 26K. I selected this seat not long before the flight, when I noticed the seat didn't have an aisle seat passenger next to it. I prayed it wouldn't be filled for departure, and it worked out pretty great.
The old seats were very thick and cushioned nicely, something you don't get with modern seats. The armrests had to be pretty thick to contain the remote control, but it didn't matter to me with no seatmate.
The safety card for the A330. Asiana probably has the best design when it comes to safety cards. The black finish makes it look pretty clean.
And THIS was what I wanted. These old A330s sends the passengers back in time to when these screens were the pinnacle of technology. (not really)
Asiana has quite a few of these ancient products still flying to this day. A330s registered HL7740, HL7741, HL7746, HL7747, HL7754 and 777s registered HL7739, HL7755, and HL7756 are the ones you should avoid. HL7739 seems to be parked at ICN with its engines off, as of the time of writing, but not to sure if it's being retired.
For the A330s, the difference between HL7736, the first of these cabins delivered in 2004, and HL7792, the first of the new cabin delivered in 2009 show a five-year gap in technology. Still pretty amazed Asiana hasn't gotten around to refurbishing any of these jets. They have gotten around to refurbishing some of the 777s, though.
On a side note, it's staggering to see the difference in the aircraft registration from then to now. HL77- lasted from 2002 to 2009, while HL85- lasted from 2022 to 2024. It took 8 years to fill in the 77 line, so 8 years for 100 new planes in Korean registration, and now it takes just 3 years. Shows you the difference in size in the Korean aviation sector.
The rain made it impossible to basically see anything.
View of the cabin as the doors closed. I like my cabins with a yellow vibe.
The ancient looks don't stop with the remote control. It even has a phone for what I presume to be air-to-ground calls.
The remote itself was very responsive, and it didn't matter that it wasn't a touchscreen as the newer A330s' screens would probably be slow enough to get me to use the remote as well.
The seat pocket contents. I remember when Asiana used to have its own magazine, called ASIANA. They only offer this duty free magazine now, though.
We took of from runway 16L in very rainy conditions. Just after rotation there was too much condensation to even see my own plane's winglet out the window. It was 21:17 when we took off, quite a bit delayed as you can imagine.
The entertainment software was kept the same as when this was brand new. Everything screamed 2000s, with this little illustration being so on point.
My presumptions were proven correct. You were able to call seat-to-seat, or air-to-ground. Pretty impressive this was the technology offered in 2005, although it seems this service hasn't survived the test of time.
For my meal I chose the western option. I don't remember why I didn't choose the Korean option though, I presume it was because it was fish.
Along with my choice of drink from the first offering with the meal, I was offered tea or coffee on the crew's second run along the cabin. I got myself some black coffee, and let me tell you, black coffee along with the sweet cake I was given was some amazing combination of flavors.
After the meal service I took advantage of the empty seat next to me and went for a trip around the cabin. Honestly, it's probably just me but the cabin just felt more cozy than the newer ones.
The blanket I was provided with still had the old logo. I developed this habit of taking pictures of the old logo whenever I see one. Don't know if you can tell I was a massive Asiana fan, and I'm not taking this merger too well. I guess it was just a matter of time with how they were doing financially.
Went ahead and watched The Classic (클래식, 2003) for the first time. It lives up to its name as it's indeed a classic that is loved by Koreans. I couldn't recommend it enough.
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Flying over Hangzhou, China. Was able to take a nice picture as the cabin lights were dimmed for the duration of the flight as service ended.
Information about our destination, Hanoi. It is written in Korean: General Information; Climate; Population and Language; Currency and Time Difference; Airport Info; Entry Information; Departure Information; Traffic Information; Tour Information from top to bottom.
An airshow is also provided. How kind of them.
Cabin lights were brightened as we started our descent into Hanoi.
We landed in Hanoi at 23:59 local time, about two hours behind schedule.
Final look at the cabin before I disembark. This cabin would definitely spark some nostalgia for some readers, I'd presume.
The security lines at VVNB are notorious for being long and taking a while, but I was through quite quick, probably because our flight was late and the arrival rush was already done.
