Flight routing
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After arriving on Lufthansa's A340-600, I had to go through a self transfer as although I booked these flights together as one itinerary from Lufthansa, because PVG doesn't allow through-check in for baggage unless it's China Eastern flights.
I had already checked in myself with the Lufthansa app. The QR boarding pass provided by the Lufthansa app still had the red signage on Asiana's logo.
I had already checked the plane I'd be flying to ICN when I was still getting ready to board my plane to PVG. This was possible because Asiana submits their flight plans pretty early and in bulk, so you'd be able to see the whole operation for the next day at about 6PM KST the day before. I got to ride on HL7732, one of two Star Alliance livery planes in their fleet. Honestly I had this gut feeling as I had quite a string of events with this plane throughout 2025.
I was able to spot this plane on four different occasions, and all at different airports at different countries. (In chronological order, HAN, KIX, ICN, and PVG)
I got my bag and entered China, which I had not planned when I was planning this trip. Honestly, because I still wasn't quite sure whether my bag would be sent automatically to ICN, I had all sorts of thoughts going through my head during the 20 minutes I spent waiting for my bag after clearing immigration. But thankfully, it all went smoothly.
If you needed more signs where we were.
30 minutes after I had gotten off my previous flight, I was already at the departures hall waiting to check in my bag again for the next flight. Other than the chance of misinformation, I didn't worry too much about this transfer as I had 4 hours between flights.
Don't remember Asiana ever deploying the A380 to PVG. It's probably there for US-bound transferring passengers. And there seemed to be plenty of Americans. The times are pretty good if you were to transfer to US-bound night flights.
I got my boarding pass which was redesigned by the way, I think back in March 2025. During check in, I asked the check in agent whether my QR boarding pass was valid, but he seemed very confused and just gave me another traditional boarding pass. I think China doesn't allow internet boarding passes yet.
All in all, it was a smooth self transfer which only took me about an hour and 10 minutes from deplaning to airside. It was enough to see my ride from FRA again, which was on the last call back to FRA.
Our plane was still on its way to PVG at that time.
This A330, HL8258, which was on the OZ361/362 shuttle was also getting ready for its departure.
Never knew Air China had such an extensive network from PVG.
Our plane arrived from ICN at 1152L.
This particular 777 is equipped with the old, but not as old Economy seats with the 10.6 inch IFE screen. If you're soon to board an Asiana 777, just remember to avoid HL7755 or HL7756 as they are the ones with the ancient 6.5 inch IFE screen and no USB ports. Asiana's website and app do tell you which configuration is scheduled for your flight (HL7755 and HL7756 have the '302 seats - Type I' configuration) but you can just consider them worthless as they can change whenever according to their scheduling needs.
Breakdown:
300 seats (Old Business Smartium Solstys seats & Economy seats with 10.6-inch IFE screens and USB ports) - HL7700, HL7732
301 seats (New Business Smartium Solstys seats & Economy seats with 11.1-inch IFE screens and USB ports) - HL7775, HL7791
302 seats - Type I (Old Business Smartium Solstys seats & Economy seats with 6.5-inch IFE screens and NO USB ports) - HL7755, HL7756
302 seats - Type II (Old Business Smartium Solstys seats & Economy seats with 10.6-inch IFE screens and USB ports) - HL8254, HL8284
Note, HL7739 which has the third configuration is now retired. The three 777s with the ancient seats were supposed to be retired a long time ago but their financial issues leading to disruptions in their A350 deliveries led to the situation we have now with not just them still flying, but ultimately the merger with Korean Air.
HL8254 and HL8284 both had the privilege of flying with First class suites when it was launched on their 777s along with the A380s with the latter being the final 77E ever built. They used to be deployed on the OZ203/204 run with First class and occasionally on the ORD route before it was axed.
As an enthusiast who preferred Asiana ever since finding out as a kid that it had 5 stars from Skytrax while Korean Air only had 4, summarizing all this brings me back to the days when it was a genuine competitor to Korean Air.
Originally, my flight was supposed to depart from gate D79 but it was later switched with the ANA flight to D73. All in all, PVG seemed like a very good airport to spend time in. Very spacious terminal and some big windows to look through.
Boarding started on time, and I waited about 15 minutes more before standing in line to board.
As it is the Star Alliance livery jet, I saw the big billboard style Star Alliance branding along the fuselage and the black tail, contrary to what you'd normally get on other Asiana planes.
Since my flight, the safety card design has also changed to match Korean Air's style. Although the Asiana branding is still present.
This was my view from 28K, which was the last row of the second section, in front of the R3 door.
We pushed back on time, and got the engines running with the flight controls check.
View of the cabin as we were taxiing to the runway. It looked to be a pretty full flight. Later, the crew confirmed the passenger count of 283 for the flight today.
We took off from 16R, after about 20 minutes of waiting for our turn. Looked like there was quite a queue, with lots of departing traffic even with two departure runways.
Unfortunately, the IFE for my seat seemed to be frozen, as with most of the seats around me, so I was left with only the window and my phone to distract myself. It was pretty weird because I remember the IFEs working fine about three rows in front. I could've asked the crew to give us a reboot to try and see if it works, but I didn't bother as it was just a short flight back.
About 40 minutes after take off, we were served this meal box with only one menu option. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it looks to be Korean bulgogi. Ah, the perks of being in Asia and being served a meal like this on a two-hour flight.
As we would most definitely be using the classic Y722 northbound to ICN, I tried my best to look out for Jeju-do under the wings, but unfortunately couldn't spot it, due to the clouds or my lack of focus.
After the meal service and a swift duty free sale, we were already on descent into what looked to be a very cloudy Seoul.
And when we descended below the clouds, I realized that not only was it very cloudy, it was raining as well.
I noticed it would be 33/34 ops for today, but the Incheon Bridge was nowhere to be seen. Look at all the condensation over the wings.
The moist air also allowed a great look into the airflow around the flaps.
On final into runway 33L, the 'Incheon' sign is clearly visible. I wonder if the pilots also notice that sign every time they land. They're probably too focused on the threshold trying to get the plane down.
We landed on 33L pretty much on time. Do note that with the repaving of 33R complete, it's likely 33L landings will be hard to see, with 33R taking care of all the landings while 33L is used exclusively for take offs.
Before I deplaned, I took a look at the seatback pocket contents. Very much simplified compared to before.
A look at the Economy class cabin before I deplane.
As I deplaned through the L1 door, I was able to get a look at the registration plaque located on the side.
One last look at HL7732. We were parked at gate 24.
Around 4pm to 6pm is the rush for for arrivals into ICN, so I expected quite a queue. But, from deplaning to clearing immigration only took 6 minutes. Do take this time measurement with a pinch of salt as gate 24 is located very close to the main part of T1, and I have access to a shorter queue being a Korean national.
Picking up my baggage took another 20 minutes, so in total, 26 minutes from deplaning to going landside.
