Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city of Gyeongju, Busan, Jeju Island and a second stint in Seoul, where we are joined by Sehyeon. We’re spending two weeks in South Korea. The ROK is such a popular destination now. Will we experience overtourism? 

Flight 2. Scheduled for a 2.40 AM departure time, flight QR 858 is a proper night flight. We’re flying economy again.

Qatar Airways QR 858
Doha to Incheon (Seoul)
Airbus A350-1041 (A7-ANS)

The cabin

The economy cabin sports a 3-3-3 configuration, with burgundy and grey dominating. But while in the Boeing 787 the outer threesomes were burgundy and the middle three seats grey, in the Airbus A350-1000 it’s the other way round: grey-burgundy-grey. Why? I don’t know.

The seat

The seat is very similar as in the Boeing, but the storage options are a bit broader. There’s a wireless charging option (I think it is) and a proper power outlet. 

The seat itself is comfortable, offers a decent recline and decent legroom. We even received a mini amenities kit featuring a toothbrush plus paste, an eye mask and socks. Nice.

The in-flight entertainment

The in-flight entertainment is even broader than on our first flight, with slightly more options. But honestly, I mostly slept on this flight so I barely used it.

Catering

Taking off at 2.40 AM, the catering service started swiftly. No drinks first, but immediately a ‘breakfast’, where Oriol chose omelet and sausage and I went for an apple strudel. 

Further in the flight we got lunch or dinner, I forgot what they called it, if they called it something. The options were chicken, beef or pasta. I chose chicken with rice (but the photo is too blurred to use) and Oriol had pasta. 

So? 

The A35K is a great plane and its configuration is comfortable for a nine-hour flight. Qatar Airways receives many awards and I can see why. I’ll gladly fly QR again. 

South Korea 2024

1. QUESTION | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.
2. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Brussels to Doha.
3. QATAR | Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.