Seoul to Dallas –
I recently traveled on a complicated itinerary / Mileage Run Vacation to Seoul South Korea. I will be writing about my experience over the following posts:
Seoul Trip Report – Introduction
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Minneapolis to Dallas Fort Worth
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Dallas Fort Worth to San Diego
Seoul Trip Report – JAL – San Diego to Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – JAL First Class Lounge – Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – JAL – Tokyo Narita to Seoul
Seoul Trip Report – Sheraton Incheon Hotel
Seoul Trip Report – Sightseeing in Seoul
Seoul Trip Report – Korean Air Lounge – Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Trip Report – Asiana Lounge – Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Seoul to Dallas Fort Worth
Seoul Trip Report – Sheraton Grand DFW Airport
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Dallas Fort Worth to Atlanta
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Atlanta to Miami
Seoul Trip Report – American Admirals Club – Atlanta
Seoul Trip Report – American Admirals Club – Miami – D15
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Miami to Minneapolis
Seoul Trip Report – Delta – Minneapolis to Atlanta
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Atlanta to Dallas Fort Worth
Seoul Trip Report – Element by Westin – Dallas Fort Worth North
Seoul Trip Report – The Club at DFW – Priority Pass Lounge
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Dallas Fort Worth to Beijing
Seoul Trip Report – Asiana Airlines – Beijing to Seoul
Seoul Trip Report – Aloft Seoul Gangnam
Seoul Trip Report – Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport
Seoul Trip Report – JAL – Seoul to Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Tokyo Narita
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Tokyo Narita to Chicago on 787
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Chicago to Minneapolis
Seoul Trip Report – American Airlines – Seoul to Dallas Fort Worth
Date: September 26, 2015
Flight: American Airlines 280
From: Seoul (ICN)
To: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Aircraft: 772
Seat: 22H
I arrived at the gate area about five minutes before the scheduled boarding time. When I arrived, the gate area was open; however, no one was lining up yet.
After about 10 minutes an announcement was made stating that the flight would be delayed shortly but everyone was asked to stay in the gate area.
The aircraft was at the gate and the flight crew was waiting to board. Once the flight crew boarded, the gate agents made another announcement stating that the boarding would be delayed due to the aircraft preparations.
A few minutes later, and about 20 minutes after the scheduled boarding time, the gate agent asked the passengers to begin lining up. First Class, Business Class and Priority Access customers were asked to line up on the right side and group one was asked to line up on the left hand side. I joined the line of 40 passengers. The boarding was still delayed and the guests waiting in line stood for about 10 minutes before the boarding began.
When I reached the front of the line, the gate agent took the boarding card and returned the stub listing the seat number. The gate agent thanked me and he wished me a good flight. My passport was not checked at that time.
In the jetway a random security screening was being conducted; however, I was not selected and the agent invited me to enter the aircraft.
Upon arrival in the plane, the flight attendants standing at the door greeted me and they asked for my seat number. When I told them they directed me to the correct aisle for my seat.
When I boarded the business class cabin was mostly full; and the economy cabin was approximately 1/3 full. I located my seat quickly and was able to secure the overhead storage bin above my seat.
The aircraft was a 777-200 which was not upgraded. The seating arrangement in first class is 1-2-1. The seating arrangement in business class is 2-3-2 and the seating arrangement in economy is 2-5-2.
My seat was located in the economy cabin on the 2 side. As the aircraft was not upgraded, only the exit rows and the bulkhead rows are main cabin extra. My seat was in the third row so it had standard legroom and average recline.
The seat featured a video screen that offered audio and video programming. The screen quality was faded; however, the touch screen functions worked. The video programming is on a loop basis so that a new program starts every 20 minutes or so. When you select a movie or television show you are asked if you want to watch the one currently running or wait for a new one to start.
There were about 12 movie options and around 25 television shows. The television also offered the flight path and a variety of audio channels.
I settled into my seat. The aircraft was completely full and all the seats were taken.
The boarding process was efficient and the flight was fully boarded within 25 minutes of the start of the process.
A few announcements were made regarding the departure. Once the aircraft was ready to depart, the safety video was played on the screens and the aircraft made a short taxi before taking off.
The Captain greeted the passengers and he said that there would be a lot of turbulence expected for the flight so he would leave the seatbelt sign on for a long time. He said that guests could get up quickly to use the restroom but asked everyone to return to their seats quickly. The seatbelt sign remained illuminated for the entire flight.
Shortly after the Captains announcement, the flight attendants made a few additional announcements. The announcements were given in English followed by Korean.
The meal service began and customers were offered a choice between chicken or beef. Both options were Asian flavored. The tray included a small salad, hot sauce, bread, butter, kimche and a pudding for dessert. I selected the beef option.
About 10 minutes after serving the meal, a beverage service was provided and guests were offered, wine beer, soft drinks, juices or water. I requested red wine and water. The red wine was poured from a glass bottle.
The meal service was served hot. The beef was bibimbop a Korean dish with rice, vegetables and ground beef. The dish had an excellent flavor. I sampled the hot sauce and it was bold in flavor and heat. The vegetables were cooked well and the rice was also fresh. The Kimche was fresh and it was chilled and had a fresh taste. The salad was also fresh and it was made with lettuce, tomatoes and carrots. The salad dressing was a vinegar based one and it had a good taste. The roll was served slightly warm and it was soft and had a good taste. The dessert was rich and creamy and it had a caramel flavor. The red wine was served slightly cool and it had a smooth taste. Chop sticks were provided with the meal.
The flight attendants returned to offer a second beverage before clearing the dishes. Once the beverage service concluded the lights in the cabin was dimmed.
I watched a few television shows while I was having dinner before taking a nap for about three hours.
I got up to walk through the cabin. The flight attendant’s setup a small station with chips, cookies and crackers as well as orange juice and water. The chips were Asian and they were shrimp flavor. The cookies were somewhat like a German waffle and they had a caramel flavor.
About halfway through the flight a snack was offered which included a chicken sandwich in a small box with a kit kat bar or Asian hot noodles. The sandwich option was cold, while the noodles was hot. I requested the noodles and the flight attendants provided it with a seasoning packet. The flight attendant poured hot water in it before telling me to cover it for a few minutes. I was also offered orange juice or water. I requested orange juice. The flight attendant provided it and she asked me to enjoy. I had to request chop sticks as I was only offered plastic flatware.
The noodles were served hot. The noodles had a spicy seasoning packet and they had a good taste and flavor. The orange juice was fresh and it had a good taste.
I watched two movies during the flight. The picture quality was low and the brightness level was difficult to adjust. The sound quality was good.
About one hour prior to landing the flight attendants returned to the aisle for an additional meal service and beverage service. The flight attendants offered a choice between eggs and sausage with fruit or a kimche fried rice with fruit. I requested the fried rice and a Coca-Cola. The flight attendant provided the selection and she handed me a can for the soda along with a cup of ice.
The kimche fried rice was served hot. The rice was light and it was seasoned well with peppers and other vegetables. The kimche had a good taste. The portion size was medium. The fruit was served in a small dish and it include one slice of pineapple, melon and grape. The fruit was fresh and it had a sweet taste.
The flight attendants returned to clean up and offer additional beverages and to prepare the cabin for landing.
During the fight I did not observe the flight attendants greeting any guests personally by name or thanking them for their loyalty.
The flight landed on time and there was a short taxi before arriving at the gate. Several flight attendants thanked me as I departed the airplane.
I headed to the immigration area. There was no waiting at Global Entry so I proceeded through and at customs there was only one couple in front of me. The process was efficient.
Overall the flight was uneventful. I felt that the catering exceeded the typical economy offering for an international flight. The flight attendants were friendly and polite.