Lounge Entrance

This is the entrance to Asiana Airlines’ Business Class Lounge, located on the 4th floor of Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport. To access the lounge, take the escalator at the back up to the upper level.

Asiana Airlines Logo Sculpture

At the top of the escalator, a ceiling sculpture greets you — the “A” logo of Asiana Airlines.

Alcohol Corner

The alcohol section inside the lounge. You can even find sake and Mexican coffee liqueur here.

Snacks

There are also light snacks available alongside the alcohol corner.

On the left-hand side, you can also see stick packs of tea, green tea, and coffee.

Hot Dishes

The corner for hot dishes included:

Salads and Instant Noodles

The salad corner featured:

In the back, you could also find a section with cup noodles.

Bread and Cereal Corner

This section offered bread and cereals, along with jam and butter.

My Breakfast Selection

Here is the breakfast I enjoyed in the lounge:

Apron View

This is the view of the apron from the lounge, with three Asiana Airlines aircraft in sight.

Alcohol Counter

A full view of the alcohol counter. In the back, you can also spot a coffee machine.

Kids’ Corner

On the way from the lounge to the boarding gate, I passed by a kids’ play area.

Jumbo Jet for Today’s Flight

This is the Boeing 747-400 “Jumbo Jet” I would be boarding that day.

Although it is considered an older aircraft now, Asiana Airlines still operates one passenger 747, and in May 2023 it was scheduled for limited-time service on the Incheon–Narita route. I made the trip to Korea just to fly on this aircraft.

Departure Gate

The departure gate for the Narita flight.

Just Before Boarding

Having passed through the gate, I was now ready to board the plane. This photo shows the view from the 2nd floor where the gate was located.

Finally Boarding

I went down to the 1st floor by escalator.

At last, it was time to board.

Aircraft Door

This is the entrance at the very front door of the plane. The design of this aircraft door feels somewhat classical, with a character that seems different from more modern aircraft.

Royal Business Class Entrance

This is the entrance to the Business Class area located at the very front of the first floor.

This section used to be the First Class cabin in the past. Since Asiana Airlines has phased out First Class altogether, it is now designated as “Royal Business Class.” Meanwhile, the second floor houses the standard “Business Class” section. Only this forward section on the first floor carries the “Royal” title.

Royal Business Class Cabin Overview

This is the full view of the Royal Business Class cabin. The spacious, lounge-like setting is something only the Boeing 747 can provide.

It is becoming increasingly rare to see such a scene, making it a very special experience. The central area is open and airy, giving a generous impression. All single seats are window-side, while the rear offers just two paired seats. On this flight, a couple was seated in those pair seats.

Royal Business Class Seats

This is the view from my seat on the right-hand side, fourth row by the window, looking toward the three rows in front of me.

Seat Monitor

The personal screen at the right window-side seat.

Cabin Ceiling

This is what the cabin ceiling looks like.

Storage Shelf

A storage shelf was placed in the Royal Business Class section.

Lavatory

A look at the amenities inside the lavatory.

My Seat (Back View)

The back side of my right window seat.

My Seat (Front View)

The front view of my seat.

Storage Beside the Seat

There is a spacious gap between the seat and the window, where a life vest is stored.

My Seat (Forward View)

The area in front of my seat. The armrests and table have a wood-grain finish, giving the seat a relaxing feel.

Interestingly, this type of seat is often seen in Korean dramas featuring airplane scenes.

Storage Under the Armrest (1)

Under the armrest, there is a compartment that opens for storage.

Storage Under the Armrest (2)

This is what the storage compartment under the armrest looks like when closed.

Shoe Storage

There is a space under the seat in front for storing shoes.

Life Vest (1)

A compartment on the right side of the seat contains the life vest.

Life Vest (2)

I opened the life vest compartment to take a look inside.

Oshibori (Towel)

Before takeoff, I was given a paper napkin oshibori (wet towel).

Stretching Out to Relax

A view of stretching out and relaxing in the seat.

View Before Takeoff

Looking outside before takeoff, I could see Asiana Airlines aircraft parked at the gate.

Taxiing to the Runway

A view from my seat as the aircraft taxied toward the runway.

Dynamic Views While Moving

This was the moment just before takeoff as we entered the runway. Sitting at the very front means there are fewer blind spots, so during turns, you can really sense the runway’s width.

One of the best parts of being in the Royal Business Class of the Boeing 747 is experiencing these dynamic and powerful movements of the aircraft up close.

Just After Takeoff

The view of Incheon Airport just after takeoff.

Menu

The menu.

Message on Meal Service

On the first page, there was a message saying something like: “Today we are serving a new menu. Please enjoy it with our carefully selected wines.”

Drink Menu

The drink menu.

Meal Choices

The meal choices for the day were either a Western-style chicken thigh dish or the Korean dish “Bulgogi Nutritional Ssambap.”

Since I had never tried the “Bulgogi Nutritional Ssambap,” which Asiana Airlines has been serving since 2005, I chose that.

English Menu

The English version of the menu. “Ssambap” is written as “Ssambap.”

In Korean, “Ssam” means “to wrap,” and “Bap” means “rice,” so the name means “wrapped rice.” It is a dish where bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated beef) and rice are placed on leafy vegetables, seasoned with “Ssamjang” (fermented soybean paste with chili), and wrapped to eat.

Bulgogi Nutritional Ssambap

The “Bulgogi Nutritional Ssambap” was served.

Leafy Vegetables

The leafy vegetables used for wrapping the rice and bulgogi.

Unwrapped Vegetables

The vegetables were originally rolled up, so I unwrapped them and spread them out.

Rice and Bulgogi

Rice and bulgogi.

Bulgogi is thinly sliced beef marinated in a soy sauce–based sweet seasoning, then grilled or simmered with vegetables.

Champagne

This was Monopole by Heidsieck, one of the world’s oldest champagne houses from France. The menu mentioned that it pairs well with appetizers, shellfish, and Asian cuisine.

Dessert

The dessert was fresh fruit.

View Outside the Window

After finishing the main dish, I looked out the window to enjoy the view outside.

Champagne and Nuts

A serving of champagne, water, and mixed nuts.

View Before Landing

We were approaching Narita Airport, flying over the area near Kasumigaura in Ibaraki Prefecture.

Arrival at Narita

We arrived at Narita Airport.