In today’s airline review, we will look at the Asiana Airlines Business Class on a round trip between Frankfurt (FRA), Germany, and Incheon (ICN), South Korea (OZ541/OZ542). Asiana is South Korea’s second-largest airline and is currently in the midst of a merger with Korean Air, most likely making it leave Star Alliance. However, as it appears at the moment, the completion of the merger may take up to two years, keeping them in Star Alliance at least for a while. In this post, we’ll explore the entire journey—from lounge access at Frankfurt International Airport to the arrival back in Germany—and discuss whether Asiana’s Business Class is still competitive on this route.
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Quick Flight Info
Here’s a snapshot of the flights covered in this review:
- Outbound (FRA → ICN)
- Airline/Flight Number: AAR542 / OZ542
- Date: Sunday, 15 December 2024
- Departure: 17:35 (CET) from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
- Arrival: 13:35 (+1 day, KST) at Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
- Cabin: Business Class
- Effective Flight Time: 11h 1m
- Return (ICN → FRA)
- Airline/Flight Number: AAR541 / OZ541
- Date: Friday, 3 January 2024
- Departure: 09:00 (KST) from Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Arrival: 15:15 (CET) at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
- Cabin: Business Class
- Effective Flight Time: 13h 39m
Pre-Flight Experience
Lufthansa Business Lounge at Frankfurt (FRA)
Since Asiana is currently still part of Star Alliance, Business Class passengers can use Lufthansa Business Lounges in Frankfurt. I visited the Lufthansa Business Lounge B-Ost, close to gate B42:
- Ambiance: Spacious enough, with a decent selection of drinks and snacks.
- Seasonal Touch: Christmas pastries available (it was mid-December).
- Traffic: Relatively empty on a Sunday afternoon.
- Facilities: Plenty of seating, charging outlets, and a calm atmosphere.
Boarding and Cabin Impressions
Boarding Asiana’s Airbus A350
Boarding was already in progress by the time I arrived at the gate. Once you step into the aircraft, Asiana’s signature colors greet you. While the cabin design might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it does have a certain personality that sets it apart.
Business Class Configuration
Asiana’s A350-900 comes in a 1-2-1 Business Smartium layout, meaning:
- Direct Aisle Access: Every seat has direct aisle access.
- Seat Numbers: Window seats are in rows A/K. The even row numbers (e.g., 2, 4, 6) face the window for added privacy.
Tip: If you’re flying solo, choose an even-numbered window seat (e.g., 4A or 4K) for the best privacy.
Comparing to Other Airlines on FRA-ICN
- Korean Air: Uses a 2-2-2 configuration, but each seat still has aisle access.
- Lufthansa: Often flies older Boeing 747-400s in a 2-3-2 configuration on the main deck. Their A350-900 (from Munich) offers a 2-2-2 layout, which feels less private than Asiana’s.
Amenities and Seat Comfort
Aigner Amenity Kit
At your seat, you’ll find an Aigner amenity kit, stocked with:
- Sleeping mask
- Hand cream, facial cream, lip balm
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Earplugs
- Socks
- Comb
All are contained in a simple fabric bag. You’ll also find slippers, which are relatively nice.
Bathrooms are additionally equipped with dental and shaving kits, mouthwash, hand cream, and linen mist. Unfortunately, the outbound flight’s bathroom wasn’t cleaned perfectly before departure, but it was restocked. On the return flight, one crew member even personally cleaned the bathroom mid-flight, showcasing excellent service.
Seat Condition
The seat itself shows some wear and tear but is still comfortable. It converts into a fully lie-flat bed, and the included pillow and blanket make for a good night’s rest. There’s no extra mattress pad, but the seat is on the softer side, which I personally liked.
Tip: The USB power supply is really, really slow (as is still the case on most airlines). My travel power adapter was a lifesaver on this trip, keeping all my devices charged! I found this travel adapter on AliExpress that has served me really well for years–so well that I actually started using it at home, too!
In-Flight Services
Meal Service and Menu Options
Outbound Flight: Korean Menu
- Appetizer: Prawns and champagne
- Main Course: Bibimbap (traditional Korean dish mixing rice and assorted side dishes)
- Dessert: Fruit plate and a jelly with sweet rice cake
Nothing spectacular, but decent. However, note that Asiana has currently suspended special meal requests on the FRA-ICN route. If you have dietary restrictions, this is something to keep in mind!
Breakfast Before Landing
- Fruits and yoghurt
- Selection of pastries (very nice if you’re a baked-goods lover!)
- Omelette with ham, broccoli, and hash browns
Again, standard but satisfying.
In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)
I usually don’t watch much onboard, but the OZ:Enter system seemed to have a modest selection of movies and shows. My screen was slightly buggy, flashing sporadically. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting.
WiFi: A Handy Trick
Asiana offers three WiFi packages for purchase (not included in Business Class). A pro tip if you ever fail to see a login prompt after connecting:
- Go to your device’s network settings.
- Look for the “Router” address (e.g., 172.x.x.x).
- Copy/paste that address into your browser.
- You should be redirected to the login/purchase page.
Bonus: A full-flight pass is valid for 24 hours, so if you’re connecting onward within that time frame, you can keep using it.
Arrival at Incheon (ICN)
Incheon International Airport is modern and efficient. My baggage arrived quickly, making the overall arrival experience very smooth.
Getting Mobile Data: Airalo eSIM
If you need mobile data in Korea (and potentially in other Asian countries), Airalo’s Asialink eSIM is a fantastic option. It’s cheaper and more convenient than most local SIMs—plus it covers 18 Asian countries. I’ve been using it for years in Asia and was always super happy! Their customer service is also very helpful.
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Incheon to Seoul Transfer Options
- Train: Cheaper but may require transfers if you’re heading into central Seoul.
- Limousine Bus: More direct, especially convenient if you have large luggage.
I usually take the 6002 bus from Incheon to Ewha Womans University station, which costs around 17,000 KRW (~10-12 USD/EUR).
The Return Trip: ICN → FRA
Checking In at Incheon
I took the 6002 bus around 5 am to catch my 9 am flight. Security lines at Incheon can be long, and there doesn’t seem to be a dedicated priority security lane for Asiana, so plan enough time. On this Friday morning around 6 am, the security check takes about 45 minutes.
Asiana Central Business Lounge
Accessible via an escalator after security, this lounge can get crowded. The food/drink selection is fine, though nothing too fancy. But the shower facilities are a major plus! You deposit your boarding pass, wait for an alert, and then receive a key to a private, clean shower room.
Onboard the Return Flight
I again flew on an A350, seat 4K this time. The amenity kit was in a different color pouch, but the items were identical. The bathrooms looked cleaner from the start, and the crew eventually did a personal cleaning mid-flight—something I rarely see.
Meals (Western Menu)
- First Meal (Breakfast-ish): Salmon steak with sides, plus champagne
- Second Meal: Beef stew with sides, served about 4-5 hours later
- Snack: Croissant sandwich available any time
The meals were solid but not overwhelmingly memorable. Service was delayed on one aisle, but the crew made it a point to apologize repeatedly—an example of their very kind approach.
Standout Crew Service
The real highlight was the exceptional crew. They were genuinely warm, helpful, and even playful with the kids onboard. This level of service turned a long, somewhat turbulent 13 1/2-hour daytime flight into a much more pleasant experience.
Final Thoughts
Should You Fly Asiana Business Class (FRA – ICN)?
- Pros:
- 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access
- Friendly crew (especially on my return flight)
- Decent seats with good comfort and a soft feel
- Convenient direct route for Star Alliance flyers between Germany and Korea
- Cons:
- Some upkeep issues (bathroom cleanliness, seat wear and tear)
- No special meal requests on FRA-ICN at this time
- Meal quality is fine but not outstanding
Overall, Asiana offers a solid Business Class product—not a “bucket list” experience like Emirates’ A380 bar or Qatar Airways Qsuite, but dependable for the price and route.
Future Outlook: The Korean Air–Asiana Merger
- Merger Status: Korean Air has acquired Asiana, and it’s expected to be finalized in about two years.
- Alliance Changes: If Asiana leaves Star Alliance (joining Korean Air in SkyTeam), Star Alliance will lose its only Korean carrier.
- T’way’s Possible Expansion: As a low-cost carrier, T’way is taking over some routes like FRA-ICN. This could create new, more budget-friendly options, though lounge access and mileage benefits may be limited.
Given the potential changes, you might want to take advantage of Asiana’s Star Alliance membership while it lasts!
My Travel Gear on this Flight
- The North Face Suitcase
- The North Face Backpack
- Victorinox Carry On
- Phone/Camera
- Travel Power Adapter
- Recording SSD Enclosure
- Travel SSD
Enjoyed This Review?
I’ll soon be reviewing Cathay Pacific Business Class flights to Hong Kong, Osaka, and Frankfurt—so stay tuned!
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Thank you for reading, and see you in the next post!
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