SEOUL: The A380 airplane is being increasingly used for air routes to South Korea. At present, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Emirates, and Lufthansa are employing the A380 for their routes to South Korea.
According to the aviation industry, each of the airlines is employing their A380s with their own unique strategies. Particularly, they are focusing on impressing business and first class passengers, tickets of which are expensive.
Korean Air has 408 seats for each A380, which is the least among the airlines employing the same airplane. The airline is aimed at providing the most convenient seats in order to provide better conditions for travel or business activities.
Korean Air provides the Cosmo Suite as its first class seat in its A380s. The airline outsourced the seat’s design, and the cost of each seat is 205 million won (US$184,172). The width of seat is 15.3 cm longer, so it is as comfortable as a bed. Korean Air also installed a bar lounge and tax-free goods exhibition area, where everyone can socialize.
Asiana Airlines provides a “First Suite” and “Business Stadium,” which are upgraded versions of the premium seats of the A380. The “First Suite” has expanded space with a seat (210.82 cm) and an 81.28 cm monitor, as well as an “Induction Oven” which provides food anytime.
The airline also provides some equipment for exercising, with which passengers can exercise during long-time flights, as well as space for changing clothes.
The “Business Stadium,” a business class seat, is arranged in a staggered layout, through which every passenger can move freely without interrupting other passengers in the next seat.
Emirates, employing the A380 for its Incheon-Dubai route, provides two spa facilities for first class passengers. Each spa has a shower booth, washshand, dressing room, and toilet. At the lounge bar, which only first or business class passengers can use, provides wine, whiskey, cocktails, and snacks. The airline also provides 10MB of Wi-Fi for free.
Lufthansa allocated a A380 for its route to South Korea last May, the first European airline to do so. Lufthansa’s A380 first class seat was awarded five stars from Sky Trax, a global airlines examiner.
The airline also provides new flat seat for business class, premium economy class, and upgraded economy class. The premium economy class (52 seats) provides 50 percent more space than the normal economy class.
