Spoiler Alert – probably only if interest to future travellers.

We’ve never flown with Korean Air before, but as mentioned previously, the price was right and we have been told we can alter our return date at a relatively low cost. Fingers crossed about that!

The flight from Brisbane to Seoul boarded and departed pretty much on time. Mick had a window seat and enjoyed the views of Seoul when we landed 9.5 hours later.

The food and service was excellent. We chose the Korean meal and were delighted with the seaweed soup, kimchi and bowl of vegetables we then mixed with the steamed rice.

Weirdly though, this meal was served very early into the flight, about 10.30am our time. Wine was served with the meal, so we each had a glass. Why not?? When it was time for dinner, two hours before we landed, there was no wine in sight.

The selection of movies and TV shows was small and different, but I did find something to interest me. Less than 20 minutes into the flight, the person in front of me tilted her seat as far back as it could go which made it absolutely impossible for me to see my screen, luckily I had my French language course to listen to.

When we arrived in Seoul we went straight to the Mantra Gold Lounge.

I had purchased us passes before we left (for $64AUD each) as we had almost a 7 hour wait. This was a great idea as I was able to have a shower and freshen up, and we had a great selection of food for dinner, and beer and wine were included. The wine was Spanish, but tasted like poor Greek wine, which certainly put a handbrake on our consumption – which was possibly a good thing.

There was hardly anyone else there, so Mick and I spent two x 20 minute sessions in one of these each.

It was fantastic.

This was a very classy lounge – even the toilets were super fancy.

Sadly (or thankfully) the Lounge closed at 9pm so we had a few hours to wait before our second flight with KLM/Korean Air to Amsterdam, which left at almost 1am. 🙄

Our next flight was operated by KLM (a Korean Air partner). The plane was very new and the seats less bulky than found in older planes. This made them feel like we had more room. After a very late dinner, by the time we were in the air, Mick and I slept for about 4 of the 10 hour flight.

When we landed in Amsterdam we collected out bags and then re-entered the departure terminal for our flight to Lyon. After another 7 hour wait, we were well and truely ready for a shower and some proper food.

I never book us such horrific flights schedules, but I used a travel agent this time because I wasn’t sure how to book the return flights, not knowing when in fact we will be returning. Never mind, we will have a few days to get over this and to enjoy Lyon, before we commence our house sit.