55 minute connection in Seoul Incheon - both flights Korean Air
Nov 12th, 2012, 11:04 AM
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55 minute connection in Seoul Incheon - both flights Korean Air
Korean Air sold this on one ticket, not 2 separate tix so I imagine they know what they're doing and are confident we'll make that connection. The connecting flight out of Seoul to Bangkok is not the last one of the night, there is one more so I guess we'll pray that it's not full and if we miss our connection we'll be able to be placed on the later flight.
I feel like if I try to change to the later flight now I'll be somehow jinxing myself and then if for some reason the later one's cancelled we'd be in a much worse position with fewer options, etc.
From what I've been reading that airport is very efficient and I'm trying to stop worrying. But would anyone recommend changing now to the later connection?
I feel like if I try to change to the later flight now I'll be somehow jinxing myself and then if for some reason the later one's cancelled we'd be in a much worse position with fewer options, etc.
From what I've been reading that airport is very efficient and I'm trying to stop worrying. But would anyone recommend changing now to the later connection?
Nov 12th, 2012, 09:08 PM
#2
I flew Asiana via Seoul last November. My connection time to Osaka was 60 minutes. Our arrival from LAX was 60 minutes late. I made the flight to Osaka, last one of the day. Asiana held the flight for me as well as flights to other cities for other pax. I was in first class and first one out the door. An Asiana employee escorted me through a perfunctory security check. She then flagged down one of the airort buggies who took us to my gate. Couldn't have been twenty minutes from when they opened the door on the first plane to when they closed the door behind me on the second. My checked bag arrived at my Osaka hotel the next day. I got VIP treatment being in F but it was so good that I would not be surprised if an economy passenger said they were handled as efficiently (except for the quick baggage delivery and maybe their contacting my hotel to tell them I would be late).
Having the backup flight is a good idea. If you switch to the backup then you won't have a backup to that until the next day, which is not really a backup. And you will be jinxed. I would certainly not pay to change the flight.
At one point during my flight after it was obvious that we would be late, and FA came to inform me that she had been in contact with Seoul and her airline would put me up for the night at an ICN hotel and get me to Osaka the next. I calmly explained that was not good - I would lose my suite in Osaka as it would be too late to cancel. She later came to inform me of the good news - the flight would be held.
I mention this in-flight part of the story to suggest that you advise an FA if it looks like you might miss your flight and see what they can do, maybe hold the plane or confirm you on the later flight. And follow up with them later during the flight. I don't know why they contacted my hotel to tell them I would be late, but that suggests that they can and will contact your hotel if you won't make it that night if that unlikely case is necessary.
That was only the second time that I've used ICN and I've never flown KAL. It will work out the best way for you, or not, but it will still be good (assuming you aren't planning to get on a cruise ship the day after your scheduled BKK arrival).
Having the backup flight is a good idea. If you switch to the backup then you won't have a backup to that until the next day, which is not really a backup. And you will be jinxed. I would certainly not pay to change the flight.
At one point during my flight after it was obvious that we would be late, and FA came to inform me that she had been in contact with Seoul and her airline would put me up for the night at an ICN hotel and get me to Osaka the next. I calmly explained that was not good - I would lose my suite in Osaka as it would be too late to cancel. She later came to inform me of the good news - the flight would be held.
I mention this in-flight part of the story to suggest that you advise an FA if it looks like you might miss your flight and see what they can do, maybe hold the plane or confirm you on the later flight. And follow up with them later during the flight. I don't know why they contacted my hotel to tell them I would be late, but that suggests that they can and will contact your hotel if you won't make it that night if that unlikely case is necessary.
That was only the second time that I've used ICN and I've never flown KAL. It will work out the best way for you, or not, but it will still be good (assuming you aren't planning to get on a cruise ship the day after your scheduled BKK arrival).
Nov 13th, 2012, 04:03 AM
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Thanks for relating your experience -- Asiana sounds like they go above & beyond the call of duty - or at least for first class 
I'll be sure to mention our concern to the FA on Korean Air. Hopefully it will all work out and at worst we'll get put on the later flight. I'm glad to hear you agree with the jinx factor! I won't change the flight in advance.
We're not getting on a cruise so I guess even if we are a day or two late in getting to our final destination, Burma, I have to keep in mind it's not the end of the world.
I'll be sure to mention our concern to the FA on Korean Air. Hopefully it will all work out and at worst we'll get put on the later flight. I'm glad to hear you agree with the jinx factor! I won't change the flight in advance.
We're not getting on a cruise so I guess even if we are a day or two late in getting to our final destination, Burma, I have to keep in mind it's not the end of the world.
Dec 12th, 2012, 06:04 AM
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In case anyone in the future is wondering about this -- we did make our connection even though our flight into Seoul was 15 minutes late. They had agents in the airport directing us and helping us get through to the next gate. Two thumbs up for Korean Air and Incheon airport.
