by FLYGVA
After the United First Class Lounge was closed we walked through the Terminal 1 to 3, looked for a mailbox. Walking was also not a bad idea since we would spend another 14 hours in a plane in three hours.

It became quiet in this area with the last flights leaving Chicago and cleaning began. But there were still passengers queuing at the check-in counters.

At the American Airlines check-in area we took the train to Terminal 5, where the Asiana flight departed. There we headed for the First Class Check in to change the boarding passes issued by United in San Diego in these of Asiana, since we could not pass security without a right Asiana boarding pass. I probably will never understand why one has to change them.

This procedure took some minutes but finally we had all documents and were ready to clear security, where a few passengers were queuing. Again belt off, shoes off and laptop out of the bag. Not additional security screening.

Since Asiana is still using the Swiss Lounge we entered the lounge – airoli knows it also quite well – and were invited to use the First Class section. Since the fridge does not work, we were told to head over to the Business Class section to help ourselves and even could use the short cut through the kitchen. The food selection on the Business Class section was wider, so we decided to use this, too. The lounge agent noticed it and placed some sandwiches and cookies in the First Class Section, too. Unfortunately the Swiss Lounge had still no W-LAN.

This time the First Class Cabin was full and so the lounge became full in the next hours. We relaxed, worked a little bit on our trip reports, read and time passed by. At 0:20 the lounge agent appeared and told us that our plane was ready for boarding.

This time no lounge agent escorted us to our gate, but again First Class passengers were allowed to board the plane before all other passengers. In Chicago, there is only one jetway, so one has to pass the front Economy Cabin and if there are passengers, this could be little bit of a hassle.

24 May 2007
ORD – ICN
[Chicago O'Hare– Seoul Incheon]
OZ 235 (Asiana Airlines); Boeing 747-400
Gate 11
01:00 – 05:00 (+2) [effective 01:20 – 04:58]
First Class
Seat 02 J

After a passport check at the entrance to the jetway we were allowed to board the plane. First Class was full and we had again the seat in the second row on the right side of the plane. And the crew, especially “our” flight attendant was surprised to see us again. Also the leading flight attendant greeted us while entering the cabin. Our jackets were stored in the front compartment and amenity kits were distributed on the ground as well as slippers, eye shade and ear plugs and the pyjama. As predeparture drinks we could choose between water and orange juice. Due to the late time, there was not alcoholic beverage available.

The First Class Cabin was this time full with a young lady together with a child in row 1. Luckily the kid behaved very well – while a guy in row 1 behaved not that well and snored during night time. The flight attendants were again very attentive and also paid much attention to the lady with the child. I think they really enjoyed the child in First Class. But that was later, so let’s begin with the flight.

We pushed back twenty minutes late at 01:20 and taxied to our runway. 18 minutes later the captain made the announcement, that we will start and we climbed into the dark sky above Chicago.

Seat belt signs were on app. 10 minutes before they were switched off the crew jumped in action, taking orders for aperitif and the menu. The tray tables were prepared for the dinner service and linen were laid.

I noticed that a Korean Lady across the aisle skipped dinner and changed into her pyjama after the seat belt signs were switched off. While she was in the lavatories, one of the flight attendants prepared her seat and changed it into a bed.

App. 60 minutes after our departure the meal service started with the First Course.

Due to the fully booked first class cabin we decided not to take pictures of the food.

But off course you can have a look at the menue and the wine list which is the same than on the flight to Chicago.

I had the beef consommé as soup, which was very good. As usual on a flight, I took a white wine, this Chardonnay. As main course I choose the Beef Fillet with a mix of vegetables, rice and some potatoes.

Food was again very good, though I think the food on the flight to Chicago was better. Since the cabin was full, they used the trolley for the meal service this time. The first course was served for all passengers at the same time, while the other course was partly served by using the trolley and partly individual, depending on the time one had finished the course. Dessert and coffee and tea were again served from the trolley. Water and Wine were refilled and the crew were again very attentive. Due to the fact that First Class was full, there were three flight attendants in First Class.

Right after my table were cleared and after I finished my tea, I decided to call it a night and changed into my pyjama. “Our” flight attendant told me she will prepare the bed and after I returned I found my seat in the flat position.

Airoli had finished his tea a bit later and while the flight attendant told me she would prepare his seat while I was lying on my seat, I decided to stand up, so it was easier for her. I think it was fair, since I did not sleep.

We both called it a night and I got some six and a half hours of sleep. Not bad at all for me, especially since I usually could not sleep on a flight. I am not sure, who of us woke up first, but I think it was me and I decided to rest a little lying in my seat. Some other passengers were up and so it was not completely dark in the cabin anymore.

Airoli woke up a bit later and I decided to change back into my usual clothes. While passing the galley, I asked the flight attendant to change my seat back into the seat. As expected I found my seat in a Z shape with the pillow and blanket placed in the part behind the seat. Airoli changed back into his usual clothes and while the flight attendant changed his seat back I walked a bit back into the still dark Economy Class Cabin. The flight seemed to be full in economy class, too, but I walked only in the first part up to the stairs to the upper deck. Stretching the legs was good and I did not feel tired. At least when you are flying in first class you could really have an enjoyable flight and arrive relaxed.

Airoli walked through the whole cabin and up in the Business Class in the upper deck of this 747-400. His impression of the plane was that they are especially in the premium cabin in the strong need of an improvement.

In the meantime the most passengers in First were awoken and the smell of freshly brewed coffee showed that soon breakfast service would start. And so it happened a last time on this flight that our tray tables were prepared with linen and we could enjoy another nice menu on this flight.

Let's have another look at the menue

I opted for the Pumpkin Ravioli and got offered side dishes, which was a bit surprising, since I am used to have Ravioli without any side dishes. But since I did not want to disappoint the flight attendant I opted for some mushroom and Roesti Potatoes.

After the meal service we had a coffee. Also it was quite early in regard of the Korean time zone; it was early afternoon back in Chicago. But at least I and I think airoli also did not feel tired at all. We got some sleep and looking back the six hours was quite the best duration we could have. Giving the body enough time to recover and adjust to the new time zone in Singapore.

After the meal service we got again offered a nice gift, this time a set of salt and pepper shakers by Wedgewood. After this the cabin crew prepared the cabin for the arrival in Seoul.

Again the flight attendant asked us for your impression of this trip, especially in comparison to the flight with the same crew to Chicago. We told them that we really enjoyed their service and that they were quite good, but that one could compare the two flights, since we had been the only passengers on the flight to Chicago.

The service was again very personal; we got both addressed by name. Still, there was the hassle in understanding the flight attendants, because their ability to do fluent conversation in English language was lacking.

Overall, this was again and really enjoyable flight. Beside the old cabin interior and dated in-flight entertainment system, especially service and food was very good. In addition with the nice gift, it was a very enjoyable experience. Asiana is showing that you can win a competition (Global Traveller, Skytrax) even with a cabin, which is not state of the art, if you pay attention to the details and focus on service. At least I appreciated the service offered on these two flights very much.

Soon enough we began our final approach into Seoul Incheon International Airport, we were landed at 04:43. We reached our gate 10 minutes later. Just before us a Korean 747-400 had landed and so the arrival area was despite the early morning quite busy.

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