The SkyTeam partners KLM & Air France have launched a good deal for flights to South Korea: Business class from Luxembourg and Brussels to Seoul and back start at €1,549. It is particularly interesting that you can sometimes fly with Korean Air.
Our availability calendar highlights all available flight dates for trips of 3 to 21 days. All you have to do is select the departure airport on the left and then the desired travel dates in the calendar. Another click forwards you to the airlines’ websites. Air France will show you slightly different options than KLM, so it’s worth checking out both sites.
When selecting the inbound leg, KLM’s website sometimes switches to Economy fares. These are only €100 cheaper than the business class fares. Make sure you select a business class inbound!
You can fly via Amsterdam or Paris. Should your route be from Brussels, the segments between Brussels and Paris will be operated by train instead of by plane.
The aircraft on the long-haul flight varies. KLM and Korean Air are most likely to use a Boeing 777, while Air France should fly you onboard an Airbus A350.
Before Covid-19, Air France still had 4 different business class versions, but now, as the A380 & A340 have left the fleet, only 3 remain. The business class in the A380 was no longer up to today’s standards, unlike the business class that’s installed in the Boeing 787-Dreamliner and Airbus A350, which is modern and comfortable. This business class is now continuously being installed in other Air France planes as well.
By now, modern seats have also become the norm at KLM. Its business class is definitely not a bad choice, also thanks to the good service. Like many other airlines, the Boeing 787 always has the newest business class seats installed.
On cannot speak of a single Korean Air business class, as there are 4 versions. The newest version has mainly been installed in the Boeing 747-8 and the A330. There, you’ll fly in a modern and comfortable seat. The special part: Even though the seats are aligned in a 2-2-2 formation, everyone still has direct access to the aisle. The seats are not right next to each other, thus creating a corridor to the window seat – a great idea for wide planes like the Jumbo! In the A380’s upper deck, you’d fly in an older business class version, but Korean Air has a bar area where you can comfortably sit on the couch drinking a cocktail. The worst business class version is still being used on less prominent routes on some older Boeing 777 planes – with a row of three in the middle and angled seats.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, the flights can be booked up until August 11, 2022. The minimum stay requirement is five days or one night from Saturday to Sunday, and according to the fare rules, you can spend a maximum of 3 months at the destination. While the tickets are non-refundable, they can be rebooked for €300 + the price difference.
You can find suitable dates quickly and easily with the help of Google Flights (instructions). You can then book the flights directly on KLM’s website.
Mileage
The long-haul tickets are issued in booking class O, while the short flights to Paris are issued in booking class J. To give you an example, flying from Luxembourg with KLM would roughly get you:
- 12,128 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 12,128 Miles on CSA OK Plus
- 12,128 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 11,412 RDM + 2,282 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 11,314 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 11,216 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 11,216 Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 11,118 Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 11,118 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 6,080 Award Miles + 102 XP on Flying Blue
- 4,800 Award Miles + 80 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 2,500 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 686 Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 490 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 490 Miles on Air Europa Suma
Most airlines will online credit miles for the J short-haul flights. If they are operated by Luxair or trains, you won’t get any miles for these segments.
Destination
Hotel prices in Seoul usually start at roughly €55, depending on the hotel category. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for Seoul
Seoul is the capital of South Korea and with 11.8 million inhabitants and a metropolitan region of around 25.6 million also the largest. The city is an important cultural and economic center in the Asian region.
Flights to Seoul
Flights to Korea are unfortunately not as cheap as to China or Southeast Asia, but there are – especially if you are flexible – some bargains that are definitely worth it.
For flights to Seoul, one should usually be prepared to pay between 400€ and 500€ for a good deal. Often there are also bargains in Business Class, especially from LOT.
You should avoid the school holidays, especially the summer holidays. During this period, airfares quickly rise to more than 700€ and partly reach heights of up to 1.000€ for a direct flight in economy. Good deals are not to be expected during this period.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to visit Seoul is from March to May or from September to November. Thanks to comparatively mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, these months are best suited for tourism.
From the Airport to the City Center
International long-haul flights usually arrive at Seoul-Incheon Airport. The express train to the city centre departs every 30 minutes and takes 40-45 minutes and costs approx. 6,50€. For a taxi you pay between 47€ and 70€.
→ All Dealz for Seoul
Cover Picture: © KLM Royal Dutch Airlines