SmallBizGenius Analysis

Korean Air receives mixed reviews, with many praising the in-flight service and staff attentiveness, while others report issues with customer service, flight changes, and outdated business class seating. The airline's strengths lie in its in-flight experience, but inconsistencies in service and policies create frustration for some customers.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 78 recent reviews

Customer Service

3.0/10

Many reviewers report negative experiences with Korean Air's customer service, citing ineffectual agents, long wait times, and unhelpful responses to flight changes or issues. Several customers describe the customer service as "terrible" and "ineffectual."

25 reviews mention this

Flight Changes and Cancellations

3.5/10

Several reviewers complain about last-minute flight changes or cancellations, often with little or no compensation or assistance in finding alternative arrangements. One reviewer stated, "Changed flight time at the last minute, offered no compensation."

15 reviews mention this

In-Flight Service

8.5/10

Many reviewers praise the in-flight service, highlighting the attentiveness, kindness, and professionalism of the flight attendants. Reviewers frequently use terms like "attentive," "professional," and "helpful" to describe the crew.

20 reviews mention this

Business Class Experience

5.0/10

Business class reviews are mixed, with some praising the service and comfort, while others complain about outdated seating configurations and a decline in quality compared to previous experiences. Some reviewers specifically mention the Boston to Seoul route as having regressed in terms of seating.

12 reviews mention this

Seating and Comfort

6.0/10

Some reviewers express dissatisfaction with seating arrangements, particularly families being separated, while others praise the legroom and overall comfort. One reviewer mentioned being allocated seats far from their children, while another praised the ample legroom in economy.

8 reviews mention this

Baggage Handling and Fees

4.0/10

Some reviewers report issues with baggage handling, including damaged suitcases and high fees for extra luggage. One reviewer described the extra baggage fee as "massive."

5 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Attentive and professional in-flight service from flight attendants. Mentioned 20x
"On board, the staff were attentive and professional and made every effort to make us comfortable."
Seamless transfers and on-time arrivals. Mentioned 4x
"Our transfers were seamless and we experienced no delays."
Clean and modern aircraft with good entertainment options. Mentioned 3x
"The aircraft was very clean and modern, with large entertainment screens and plenty of space."
Helpful staff in emergency situations. Mentioned 2x
"Korean Air staff pulled out all the stops and rushed us and our luggage through the airport to the plane and we made it!"
Good food options, including tailored meals for dietary needs. Mentioned 2x
"The food provided was tailored to my diet (I have celiac disease) and not half bad!"

Common Complaints

Poor customer service responsiveness and unhelpful agents. Mentioned 25x
"The CS are absolutely ineffectual and kafkaesque."
Unexpected flight changes and cancellations with inadequate compensation. Mentioned 15x
"My flight has been changed 2 times!!! How can it be called their national flight. Worse than budget flight. Totally unreliable l!!"
Outdated business class seating on some routes. Mentioned 8x
"Korean Air used to have great business class from Boston to Seoul. Unfortunately, they have changed the seats back to the 1980s style."
Families being separated during flights. Mentioned 4x
"We flew MXP to Seoul roundtrip, and on both flights our family, with 2 SMALL kids, were allocated on different seats, far from each other."
High fees for extra luggage. Mentioned 3x
"Needing an extra luggage, and since Korean Air oddly only included 1 checked in luggage in the reservation, I purchased an extra baggage.....for over £98..."

Common Questions About Koreanair

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Koreanair legit and trustworthy?

Korean Air is a well-established international airline, but reviews suggest inconsistencies in service. While many customers report positive experiences with in-flight service, a significant number express concerns about customer service responsiveness and unexpected flight changes. Some reviewers have had negative experiences with refunds or compensation for flight disruptions. Therefore, while Korean Air is a legitimate airline, potential customers should be aware of the risk of encountering customer service issues.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Koreanair have good customer service?

Based on the reviews, Korean Air's customer service is a significant point of concern. Many reviewers report long wait times, unhelpful agents, and difficulty resolving issues related to flight changes or cancellations. Some customers describe the customer service as "terrible" and "ineffectual." While some reviewers may have had positive experiences, the prevailing sentiment suggests that Korean Air's customer service is unreliable.

Based on 30 reviews

Is Koreanair worth it for small business travel?

For small business travel, Korean Air presents a mixed bag. The positive aspects include attentive in-flight service and a potentially comfortable flying experience. However, the reported issues with customer service, flight changes, and inconsistent business class quality raise concerns about reliability. Small business owners who prioritize seamless travel arrangements and responsive customer support may want to consider other airlines with more consistent track records.

Based on 20 reviews

What is the business class experience like on Koreanair?

The business class experience on Korean Air appears to be inconsistent. Some reviewers praise the attentive service and comfortable flights, while others complain about outdated seating configurations, particularly on routes like Boston to Seoul. Some reviewers feel that the business class product has declined in quality and doesn't meet modern expectations. Therefore, the business class experience can vary depending on the route and aircraft.

Based on 12 reviews

What are common complaints about Koreanair?

Common complaints about Korean Air include poor customer service responsiveness, unexpected flight changes or cancellations with inadequate compensation, outdated business class seating on certain routes, and families being separated during flights. Some reviewers also report issues with baggage handling and high fees for extra luggage. These issues contribute to a mixed overall sentiment, with some customers expressing strong dissatisfaction with their experiences.

Based on 50 reviews