Life of a frequent flyer: Star Alliance Mega-Trip 2012: First Class on Asiana Airlines ICN-NRT

I was offered by the flight attendant to help store by bag in the overhead lockers and she took my jacket. Pre-departure beverage of water and nuts were given along with a hot towel. The menus were passed out and I chose the Korean option of Bibimbab for my meal.

It is interesting to see that they use this Internationally Configured plane for this short 2 hour flight... but planes don't make money if they are on the ground right? There were 8 seats available and I was one of 3 passengers in the cabin. After we took off, the meal service was started. It is amazing that they could serve the meal in courses on this flight while on some US airlines barely serve a meal (all on a tray!) in First Class. I did rest for a little bit before we prepared for landing into Tokyo-Narita. It was interesting that the male Purser never came by to say hello (maybe because I was one of the last passengers to board).

View of Incheon

Cucumber Bean Curd Roll appetizer (with a rose!)

Bibimbab

Tea and Fresh Fruit

Upon arrival into Tokyo, I was thanked for flying with them by the staff members. I was surprised the purser did not come by to introduce himself during the flight or say goodbye before we arrived. Each of us in the First Class had an agent waiting us to escort us through immigration, luggage claim, and customs. My agent was very nice and polite the entire time. I was surprised an agent was waiting on me when we arrived into gate 40 at Terminal 1. She suggested I walk briskly as several flights had just landed and that the arrivals hall would be crowded. It did not take too long and when I got to the baggage carousel area; my agent already had it on a cart waiting on me. That is what I call great service!

We went outside and she asked where I was staying and how I will be traveling. After consulting with her

colleagues, they suggested I take the Airport Limousine Bus service to Tokyo City Air Terminal instead of waiting for the direct bus that would drop me off in front of the Conrad Tokyo. They helped translate for me when I bought the tickets, looked after my luggage, and they showed me where the ATM was located. Then they showed me where to catch the bus and I had to wait only 5 minutes.

They thanked me for flying with Asiana and that they would hope to see me again. That is great ground service and it was unexpected. Asiana is now in my personal favorite top airlines I prefer to fly with again (along with Thai, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa) in the future. Singapore Airlines would be there if they released more First Class seats beyond the Intra-Asia flights and a better ground product.