I booked using Avianca LifeMiles, which is one of the most underrated mileage programs, and it cost me 90,000 LifeMiles + $121.68 in taxes and fees, and no fuel surcharges. What this means is that first class partner availability is pretty generous. Partner redemption can be availed through ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, United MileagePlus, and Air Canada Aeroplan. Bookingīeing a member of Star Alliance, there are quite a few ways to book Asiana first class award tickets other than their own frequent flyer program, Asiana Club. This announcement came close on the heels of the announcements that Korean Air will be axing first class on 27 of its international routes, and Malaysian Airlines re-branding their first class to business suites. It is still to be seen as to what the difference in fares and mileage redemption will be between the premium “First Business Suites” and the regular business class, and if partner redemption will be availed. However, the catering, amenities, baggage allowance, and mileage earning will be at business class levels. This means that there will be no change in the hard product and passengers will continue to have access to the Asiana First Class Lounge at ICN. The first class suites on the A380s will now be re-branded to “First Business Suites”. On May 7, 2019, the day I was mid-flight over the Pacific on the way to Los Angeles, Asiana announced that it will be discontinuing the first class service on their A380 fleet effective September 01, 2019. It discontinued the first class service on board select Boeing B777s and B747s quite some time ago. However, after the abject disappointment of the service onboard Korean Air 777 in first class on the incoming flight to Seoul, I tempered my expectations.Īsiana Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, is a Skytrax 5-star rated airline and the second largest airline in South Korea behind Korean Air in terms of fleet size and destinations.Ĭurrently, Asiana Airlines offers the first class service only on their fleet of 6 Superjumbos, on the New York, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt routes. I have flown with Asiana earlier, on their Airbus A330 and Boeing B777 intra-Asia albeit in business class, so I was really looking forward to their first class service onboard the Superjumbo. Airline: Asiana Airlines (OZ) Aircraft: Airbus A380-800 (HL 7626) Flight #: OZ 202 Route: Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Los Angeles International Airport ( LAX) Date: Duration: 11 Hrs 10 Mins Cabin + Layout: First Class Suites: 12 suites in 1-2-1 configuration across 3 rows Seat: 2A Miles Used: 90,000 Avianca LifeMiles + $121.68 for taxes and fees Fare Paid: N/A Typical Retail Fare: $3,635 per person including taxes and feesĪfter spending a couple of days in Seoul, enjoying all it had to offer in terms of food and culture, it was time for me to fly again – this time with Asiana Airlines on their flagship Airbus A380 to Los Angeles.

Airbus a380 800 first class