Last Hurrah with KE B744 [Korean Air] KE 704 ICN-NRT (Seoul/Incheon->Tokyo/Narita) trip report

 KE 704 ICN-NRT (Seoul/Incheon->Tokyo/Narita)

DEP ICN 04 SEP 2015 10:10
ARR NRT 04 SEP 2016 12:30

Flight Duration: 02:20

Aircraft: B747-400

Flight map courtesy www.flightaware.com

I had a chance to connect myself in Tokyo for a few days before heading back to the states last year.  I previously bought a roundtrip flight from the states to Asia via Singapore Airlines, with outbound segment on SFO-HKG flight and return segment on NRT-LAX segment.  I used my Korean Air Skypass mileage to purchase myself a "roundtrip" mileage fare from HKG to NRT, with 15-day layover in Seoul.  Doing so saved me about 30,000 miles, since one-way would've cost me 35,000 miles, whereas roundtrip would've only cost me 40,000 miles.

I arrived at the Incheon Airport via City Bus.  Most bus fares from Seoul to ICN cost about 10,000 KRW.

Incheon Airport is a bustling airport, and I could see how there was a desperate need for expansion. Check-in areas were packed in Asiana and Korean Air counters.  Good thing is that the new Terminal is due to open in 2017.

Busy morning scene in ICN main terminal.

It took about 30-40 minutes to be checked-in, which isn't too bad.

My boarding pass for today's flight, with all private info whited out.

The airside of ICN was pretty calm.

My aircraft for today's flight: B747-400.  This may be one of the last times I'll ever be on a B747-400, since many airlines started retiring them.

Boarding started at around 09:25.

I'm used to taking B747s for long-haul flights, not for a 2-hour long short haul flights.

My seat, 53J.

I love this view.

Cabin view from back of the plane.

KE's old AVOD system.

Complimentary headphones were distributed.

Cabin attendants readying cabin for departure.

I proceeded to watch a movie after safety announcements.

Taxing to Runway 33L.

KE A380 parked by Runway 33L/15R

Take-off. B747-400's age was noticeable especially during this time.

The plane turned immediately to the right toward Seoul. First time this had happened on my flight.

Flying southeast toward Suwon.

No menu or choices on Korean Air short-haul flights to China or Japan. The meals were distributed very quickly and efficiently.

It was Korean style tenderized beef, fermented radish side dish, CJ-brand tofu, Dole pineapple, and water. 

Close up on the beef. It was great.

Watched Pitch Perfect 2.

Little more than halfway there.

All flights bound for NRT seem to take this approach.

The aircraft landed into 19L, the shorter runway at NRT.

Heading off to Arrivals.

Thank you for reading my post!