Above: Asiana Airlines’ bibimbap “as served” but one is supposed to mix it all up with the condiments provided.
Train to Incheon Airport
I have a train to Seoul at 0810 this morning. My brain refused to let me fall into deep sleep all night even though the wake-up time isn’t any earlier than previous days. I wandered across to the station at 0740 after a filling breakfast and boarded the KTX bullet train. It was very empty until a stop an hour later when it filled up completely. Time went pretty quickly on the journey that was a little more than 2h30.
Even though I was on standby for my flight to Singapore in the afternoon, I tried using the free wifi to do an online check-in. First time, it disallowed me. However, just before we arrive into Seoul, which was less than 6h prior to departure, I successfully checked-in! Asiana seems to be quite relaxed early check-in for standby staff whereas some airlines dish out the seats only upon closing about 45 mins before departure. Stress, stress, stress.
I had the choice of the non-stop train to the airport or the all-stops one. The slower cheaper one was leaving immediately so I decided on that. The 1h ride got me to the airport around 1210, which was 4h before my departure to Singapore.
The check-in area was completely empty and it was a breeze to get airside as well. I was most impressed with the machines in the check-in area that scan to measure (in 3 dimensions) one’s hand luggage and also weight it at the same time! No need for antiquated gauge/frames and scales!
I had been quite impressed with my budgeting and had only KRW20000 left. It would have been more if hadn’t taken two taxi rides. I cashed it up for USD15, which was very reasonable before going airside. Having not flown as much recently, I forgot to empty my water bottles before going through security. I had to dispose of them, losing the ability to refill them airside.
I spent a couple of hours at the Asiana Airlines lounge. It did the job with simple food that you’d kinda expect from a takeaway, alcoholic beverages but no cakes, dessert or fruit. There was nothing spectacular.
Flying Asiana Airlines
On board the Asiana Airlines A330-300, I had two spare seats between me and the other passenger in the centre block of 4 seats.
One of the first things I noticed onboard was that the bulkhead seats had been stickered to indicate that extra payment was required. While many full-service airlines charge for selection in advance, it is usually free-for-all once on board. The crew also sticker certain seats with “Do Not Occupy” when shifting people around to even out the cabin load for comfort.
For a highly-rated airline I was surprised that the entertainment content was quite limited and seat hadn’t been updated for power and USB.
The meal onboard was a little different. We were served bibimbap as a choice. A hot meal in the normal foil pack was accompanied with a big ceramic bowl of microgreens (see featured photo above). On the side were two sachets of gochujang and one sesame oil. The instructions said to mix it up in the bowl and enjoy with a paper bowl of the Korean equivalent of miso soup.
One mixes up the bibimbap in the near-empty bowl provided, with condiments.
People who opted for the western version had a very regular tray with salad, hot meal, bread roll and cake (instead of fruit) for dessert. Their cutlery pack was different and included a knife.
It was a rather turbulent flight in parts. If the turbulence got more than slight during the service, the crew would squat and hold on to their carts. I’m guessing if it got serious enough, they would return the cart to the galley and take their seats.
All the 11 cabin crew I saw were female. They all looked the same to me! All skinny and very fair complexion. Since the country has the highest rate of cosmetic surgery in the world, they may have all opted for the same looks?
Arriving in Singapore
I arrived in Singapore’s Changi Airport at 2130, I had to wait for my luggage. This place is so perfect that one normally doesn’t have to wait. And while waiting, I was surprised to see no toilets available in the carousel area.
I took a Gojek vehicle to the Ibis Budget Ruby for a 2 night stay. It was around 2300 when I arrived at the property and it represented my latest “night out” so far on the trip. Even later if you factor in that it would be midnight Korean time.