Korean Air’s daily service between Seoul’s Incheon International Airport and Sydney is operated using a Boeing 787-10, offering passengers its recently upgraded Prestige Class business cabin. The flight, KE401, departs around 7:10 p.m. local time and arrives in Sydney the following morning after an approximately 10-hour journey. On the day of observation, the flight departed about 20 minutes late and touched down 25 minutes behind schedule.
The airline’s business class cabin was redesigned two years ago, replacing the previous 2-3-2 and 2-2-2 seat layouts with a more modern 1-2-1 herringbone configuration. This setup includes 36 “Prestige Suites 2.0,” featuring high partition walls approximately 130 centimeters tall, providing a sense of privacy for each traveler. The seats, which measure 21 inches in width with a 46-inch pitch, recline into fully flat beds about 198 centimeters long. Each suite is equipped with ample storage space, including a cupboard with a vanity mirror and a dedicated nook for personal items, alongside amenities such as slippers and a mattress topper to enhance comfort.
Passengers are provided with a Graff-branded amenity kit that contains essentials including hand cream, an eye mask, earplugs, a dental kit, lip balm, and eau de toilette. The suite lighting offers four adjustable options, including ceiling lights and reading lamps, although some time may be needed to familiarize oneself with the controls.
In terms of technology, seats feature two USB-C ports, a universal power outlet, and a wireless charging pad. While no USB-A ports are available, Bluetooth compatibility allows passengers to connect their own headphones, though noise-canceling headphones are also provided. Wi-Fi service is available for purchase with several package options, including a full-flight pass priced at just under $30.
After boarding, passengers receive a choice of beverages—including water, orange juice, and Duval-Leroy Blanc de Blancs Champagne—and hot towels. The flight offers two meal services. Dinner begins roughly half an hour after takeoff, starting with an amuse-bouche of prawn and papaya salad followed by a tomato and ricotta starter with pesto. The main course options include grilled beef tenderloin with peppercorn sauce, stir-fried octopus or mushrooms with rice, and penne with tomato sauce and scallops. The menu concludes with a cheese selection and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Breakfast includes choices such as grilled Spanish mackerel.
Inflight entertainment is delivered via a 24-inch touchscreen monitor with a broad selection of films, television series, documentaries, and music, including Korean pop artists. While the interface is generally user-friendly, some genre classifications appear inconsistent.
Service on board is described as attentive and professional, although ongoing announcements reminding passengers to keep their seat belts fastened during moderate turbulence were noted as disruptive.
Passengers flying in Prestige Class are allowed two checked bags weighing up to 32 kilograms each, plus two carry-on items not exceeding a combined 18 kilograms, plus a personal item. Korean Air’s Skypass loyalty program enables travelers to earn miles redeemable with partner airlines in the SkyTeam network, such as KLM, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic.
One-way fares for business class between Seoul and Sydney start at around $4,380 when booked two months in advance. Korean Air continues to focus on the direct route connecting the two cities with its Boeing 787-10 service, aiming to provide a competitive product for international travelers.