Earlier this year Korean Air joined a host of airlines that announced they are updating their business class cabins with new, more plush seating. This September, the suite-like seats will finally land in the U.S., three times a week on its Boeing 777-300ERs, as part of its daily Washington D.C. Dulles to Incheon route.
Brisbane, Singapore, Sydney and other cities in Southeast Asia, China and Japan are already seeing the new seats. Unlike the current versions, that also go fully flat and horizontal, the B/E Aerospace manufactured, PriestmanGoode design versions allow everyone direct aisle access without climbing over your friends or neighbors.
Labeled Prestige Suite, seats are 22.5 inches wide and pitch, or distance between seats, has been increased from 75 inches to 87 inches. There are also privacy panels that can give you complete seclusion. It is a version of the same seat operated by Japan Airlines as its “JAL Sky Suite,” that received “Best Business Class Seat" in 2013 from Skytrax. There is a 17-inch, touch screen monitor, including “hundreds” of entertainment options.
A unique feature of the Korean Air offering is an ottoman that doubles as a buddy seat, typically something found in first class cabins. The configuration is 2x2x2, and while the side seats are staggered, the middle cabin seats are squared against each other, making them good for people traveling together.
With approximately 100 flights a week between the Americas and Asia, the six flights represent only a small opportunity to try the new product. However the airline will be featuring the Prestige Suite on over 30 747-800is, 787-9s and 777-300s scheduled to be delivered. A public relations representative said there is no information on which routes are next to get the new seating. The good news is, unlike most other airlines that have been announcing new business class seating, Korean Air already has seats that go flat and horizontal on its Americas flights, not the slanting ski slopes that irritated many flyers.
In a separate, but interesting note, the airline also announced it has been selected as “the sole provider of depot-level maintenance services” the U.S. Navy’s 40 CH-53 heavy-lift Japan-based helicopters.
