My Asiana enterprise class evaluate has an expiration date. As I boarded the San Francisco-bound Asiana A350 in Seoul a couple of weeks in the past, I questioned whether or not I ought to hassle reviewing Asiana’s enterprise class. On one hand, it was my first time—in fact I needed to evaluate it.
However, because of the not too long ago finalized Asiana-Korean Air merger, the clock is now formally ticking on the Asiana model, which can survive till 2027 on the newest. This evaluate might be out of date in two, three years tops.
Why It Took Me So Lengthy to Fly Asiana in Enterprise
There are two important causes that I didn’t fly Asiana enterprise class till 2024. The primary is sensible: I used to be too purchase flying different Asian airways that, frankly, have higher reputations From ANA and JAL, to EVA Air, China Airways and Starlux, the truth is that airways from Japan and Taiwan (and, in some circumstances, even from Southeast Asia) are extra extremely rated than these from Korea, significantly Asiana.
The second purpose? Effectively, that’s sensible too. I primarily use miles and factors to e-book enterprise class journey, and primarily use Air Canada’s Aeroplan program to take action. Aeroplan merely doesn’t launch many Asiana tickets, in comparison with these on different airways. In consequence, even when I had been passionate about reviewing Asiana, it was nearly unimaginable for me to e-book a flight with out paying money.
How Asiana Enterprise Class Measures Up
Seat
As I discussed earlier, and as many reviewers have commented, Asiana’s so-called “Smartium” seat leaves so much to be desired. Whereas it does lie flat, and whereas all seats (no less than on the A350) have aisle entry, it doesn’t provide a lot privateness. Moreover, the cabin is adorned in unflattering brown and yellow hues.
Meals
I hoped Asiana enterprise meals can be higher than what I had on Korean Air, nevertheless it actually wasn’t. Whereas it was good to have a stable piece of beef as a substitute of the taco meat on Korean’s bibimbap, nothing I ate on Asiana appeared elevated. Additionally, my “Manhattan” was served in two glasses, and at room temperature.
Service
Asiana’s flight attendant have been extraordinarily competent. They have been continuously roaming the aisles, although it was an in a single day flight; they responded to the decision button nearly instantly. On the identical time, many appeared to not have a fantastic grasp of English; a couple of have been downright chilly.
Leisure
As I’d think about was the case again in economic system, leisure in enterprise class on Asiana was lackluster. Like many Asian airways, Asiana has a particularly restricted number of English-language motion pictures and TV collection. Worse, my display was possessed, and stored randomly turning on once I was attempting to sleep.
Pricing and availability
The one silver lining about Asiana’s enterprise class? Because the elimination of the Asiana model approaches, I’ve observed extra availability for reserving flights with miles, which solely value 75,000 Aeroplan miles between North America and Korea. Money tickets (from Japan through ICN, no less than) are additionally low cost, usually beneath $1,500 one-way.
Is Asiana or Korean Air Higher?
I used to be fortunate sufficient to fly on Korean Air’s 747-8 in enterprise class a couple of years in the past, again when Korean Air Skypass was a Chase Final Rewards associate. Whereas it was thrilling being on my favourite airplane, and whereas Korean Air makes use of one in every of my favourite enterprise class seats (the Apex Suite), I can’t lie that I discovered the expertise ever so barely underwhelming, for a complete host of causes.
Asiana, as you’ll have learn right here, additionally has numerous shortcomings, although it’s barely simpler to redeem miles for journey on Asiana. In consequence, I’m tempted to say that it’s a wash. And it definitely might be inside a few years from one other. Due to the Asiana-Korean Air merger, the Asiana model will stop to exist sooner fairly than later, although a date has not been set.
Does Asiana have flat beds in enterprise class?
Asiana does have flat beds in enterprise class. Nonetheless, relying on the plane, your mattress won’t have direct aisle entry; or if it does, your seat could also be open to the aisle with very minimal privateness. Asiana doesn’t provide particular person suites with doorways, as airways like Delta and Qatar Airways do.
Asiana might be a greater airways, objectively talking, than any of the main international US carriers. However, it pales compared to full-service airways in Japan, Korea and many of the remainder of Asia exterior of mainland China, significantly in enterprise class and first-class.
Does Asiana have pajamas?
As of 2025, Asiana solely provides pajamas in first-class. The airline not provides pajamas to enterprise class passengers, even on very lengthy flights to North America and Europe. I don’t discover this disappointing or stunning, nonetheless, as most airways have eradicated pajamas in enterprise class.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications corresponding to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Every day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric elements of life as a traveler.
