It seems British Airways has decided to use one pair of its new BMI slots for a long haul expansion. The first destination it has announced is an operation to Seoul Incheon International Airport.
The marks a service return to Seoul after a break of 14 years (we’ll ignore last year when British Airways planes landed at Seoul for refuelling due to the earthquake and tsunami that caused so much damage and loss of life)
The flight will operate 6 times a week on the following pattern:
BA017 DEPART LHR 13:00 ARRIVE ICN 08:55+1 BA018 DEPART ICN 10:45 ARRIVE LHR 14:00
BA017 operates Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun BA018 operates Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
Commences: 02/DEC/2012 Booked Equipment: Four Class Boeing 777-200 Configured for: First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.
According to British Airways, timings are such that the outbound flight to Seoul arrives at the beginning of the working day, whilst the inbound service is time to connect with UK Domestic and European connections.
British Airways will face competition from Asiana Airlines and Korean Air who both have been operating flights between London and Seoul-Incheon. It also creates a semi-rare situation of all three alliances competing on one route.
This should add to the fun, with Korean Air offering a 3 class service (F/C/Y), Asiana operating a 2 class service (C and Y) and BA operating a Four Class service (F/C/Y+/Y).
I suppose there’s only one question left to ask… will British Airways offer Bibimbap on it’s flights?