Day 1: Seoul-Bound: A Dream Takes Flight
- wanderingazuki
- Jul 9
- 11 min read
Updated: Aug 26
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"Every journey begins with a single step—or a long cab ride to the airport." – Adapted from Lao Tzu
As a lifelong Economy-class traveller (by necessity, not choice), I couldn’t help but wonder—what was it really like beyond the curtain? Every time I watched business class passengers breeze past while I made my way to the back of the plane, I asked myself: Is priority boarding, extra legroom, and an elevated dining experience truly worth the cost? Spoiler alert: after this flight, I might never look back.
🚕 From Daydreams to Business Class: A Bucket List in Motion ✈️
The day began with a cab ride to Heathrow. I had pre-booked it so we wouldn’t have to drag our heavy luggage through the city. I’d found a company with good reviews and was relieved to have one less thing to stress about. Wanting to arrive at the airport three hours early, I’d carefully planned the pickup time. It was a Saturday afternoon, and while I didn’t expect much traffic, I didn’t anticipate how slowly our driver would be going.
Instead of staying on the motorway, he kept taking smaller back roads, crawling along like we were on a leisurely scenic tour. I wasn’t sure if his driving app was guiding him that way, but my stress levels quietly rose. Not because I thought we’d miss our flight—we had time—but because I was determined to fully enjoy our lounge access. Eventually, I got a bit antsy and asked how much longer it would take. That seemed to do the trick—he picked up the pace slightly.
Still, my excitement about finally flying business class drowned out any impatience. I’d planned every detail to make sure we had time to check in, clear security, and soak in the lounge experience without a rush.
Even baggage check-in felt like a milestone. I followed the usual signs toward the counters and was about to queue when I paused to ask a staff member if we were in the right place. “My mum and I are flying business,” I said—and just like that, their posture shifted. With a smile, they pointed us to a more discreet area tucked away at the back.
So this is what the other half experiences?
No winding queues, no frantic crowds—just a dedicated business class lane. We were greeted by two friendly staff who whisked our luggage away in what felt like record time. They handled everything for us. My mum and I exchanged looks of disbelief, quietly revelling in the experience.
There wasn’t a separate security line for business class passengers—though legend has it, first class passengers have their own private lane. Still, we rejoined the regular crowd and were pleasantly surprised by how smooth and efficient it all was. London airports have always felt fairly streamlined to me, and this time was no different. Before we knew it, we were through and ready for the next chapter of our journey: the lounge.
💆A Taste of Calm: Lounging in Style 😎
Oh, the lounge! If airports are usually chaotic, this was the complete opposite—an oasis of calm amidst the pre-flight hustle. Stepping into the business class lounge felt like entering a private sanctuary where time slowed down and the usual travel stress simply melted away. Gone was the frantic search for a seat or the last-minute dash for an overpriced sandwich. Here, comfort took centre stage—and it showed in every detail.
Plush chairs and cosy seating areas invited us to unwind. The buffet spread was indulgent, offering everything from freshly prepared hot meals to light bites and tempting desserts. There was a wide selection of drinks too—steaming teas and coffees, refreshing juices, and premium wines. I couldn’t resist starting with a hearty plate, savouring each bite while soaking in the surreal feeling of it all.
Asiana Airlines is part of the Star Alliance group, so the buffet leaned more towards Western cuisine - pasta, burgers, sandwiches. It was all delicious, but I’ll admit I was secretly hoping for more Asian flavours. A couple of things didn’t quite meet my expectations: there were no massage chairs (I was genuinely looking forward to a quick back knead before the flight), and the showers were out of order. Maybe I’d set my hopes a bit too high, but for a first lounge experience, it was still a pretty great one. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many.
What made it even better was how close the lounge was to our gate. With no need to rush, we could truly savour the moment. I spent time sipping a chilled drink, chatting with my mum, and wandering around taking photos and videos—documenting every bit of the experience. I did feel a little self-conscious. Everyone else seemed so poised and nonchalant, while Mum and I were there giggling, taking selfies. But hey—Asians are known for this. Just give us a camera and it’s snap snap snap!
I couldn’t believe I was living out a bucket list dream. I remember adding it years ago, the way you jot down a New Year’s resolution—something you really want at the time, but forget about until you stumble across the list again. This time, I intentionally made it happen. What made it even more special was sharing it with my mum, who was also experiencing it all for the first time. Watching her enjoy the comforts of business class alongside me turned a personal milestone into a shared memory—one I know we’ll both cherish forever.
🪭Boarding in Style: The Priority Experience 💅
The announcement came—it was time to board.My heart raced with excitement as I clutched my boarding pass. Priority boarding felt surreal, like I’d stepped into someone else’s life. As we bypassed the long queues of passengers, I felt a strange mix of awe and self-consciousness.
My fashion sense is… let’s just say, unapologetically patterned. I’m probably a stylist’s worst nightmare—pairing patterned trousers with a clashing patterned top. Pattern overload! It’s funny, really. I like to blend in, yet dress like someone who wants to stand out. So no, I definitely didn’t look the part. Which is why I was both slightly offended and secretly proud when staff asked if I was really flying business class. Being able to confidently flash my ticket and in my mind go, “Heck yeah!” was oddly satisfying.
Stepping into the business class cabin was like entering another world.At first, the cabin felt a little more compact than I’d imagined. With everyone trying to find their seats and stow bags in the overhead compartments, it felt a bit cramped and lacked the open, ultra-luxurious feel I’d expected.
But once we were all settled in, the atmosphere shifted. The sleek, modern design came into focus—polished finishes, ambient lighting, and a gentle hum that signalled a calmer, more refined flying experience. Each seat felt like a private little oasis. Ours had the tables positioned on the aisle side, which created a nice sense of separation and made us feel comfortably tucked away. It turned out there was more than enough space to relax after all.
Settling into my seat was an experience in itself. The legroom? Glorious. As two short people, my mum and I were living our best fully-stretched-out lives. With a remote to adjust everything—from the recline to the footrest—it felt like flying in a cocoon of comfort.
Waiting for me on my seat was a comfort kit that felt like a little gift: slippers, socks, an eye mask, and travel-sized toiletries, all thoughtfully curated to make the flight that much more enjoyable. I stashed my belongings in the generous compartments, played with the intuitive seat controls, and noticed a brilliant little feature—bathroom light indicators. No awkward hovering while someone else is inside. Genius.
Before the plane even took off, I was already documenting everything. My phone was out snapping photos and videos of the seat, the comfort kit, the menu—everything. The flight attendants came by offering a choice between a Western or Korean meal. Naturally, we went for the Korean option—got to start the K-adventure properly!
As we settled into the 13-hour flight, I found myself reflecting on the day. From the moment we were whisked past the queues to the attentive service and serene cabin, everything felt different. I was being treated like a valued guest. This was the dream I’d imagined—and now, I was living it.
🍲 Cloud Nine: Dining and Dreaming at 30,000 Feet 🍝
Settling into the fully reclining seat, with a plush pillow providing extra back support and my toes snug in soft slippers, I felt surprisingly relaxed - more like I’d just checked into a hotel than boarded a plane. I loved being able to test the reclining function without worrying about the passenger behind me. It took a while to find the perfect position: sliding the seat forward to stretch my legs comfortably on the footrest, adjusting the backrest for ideal lumbar support, and pushing the headrest forward to cradle my neck. I was making sure I was comfortable for the long flight—after all, I paid for this, so there was no way I was settling for anything less than absolute luxury!
Then came the food—probably my favourite part. We started with a pickled turnip roll, delicately wrapped and filled with crunchy vegetables that brought a lovely mix of sweet, sour, and fresh textures in each bite. It was light but punchy—like a little palate-awakening surprise. Next up was a bowl of Korean pumpkin porridge (hobakjuk), and honestly, it was delish. Silky smooth, subtly sweet, and warm in that deeply comforting way that makes you pause mid-meal to savour it properly. It felt like a hug in a bowl, and I found myself wishing I could recreate it at home sometime.
The main event was a beautifully presented beef bibimbap with miso soup (or possibly doenjang-jjigae). I’m not usually a big beef fan, but the way they marinated it—and how the thin slices were tender without being overcooked or chewy—was honestly impressive. The generous helping of colourful veggies, a rolled egg, and kimchi on the side made it feel like a proper Korean feast. The warm soup added a homely, grounding touch that tied the meal together.
There was a sauce provided that I thought was plum sauce (to this day, I’m still not quite sure what it was). My mum piled hers high, saying it was spicy—I’m so glad I didn’t add much! Just enough to give my dish a gentle kick. I was a bit nervous about the spice levels in Korea since I know they can handle their heat, but I definitely can’t.
Spoiler alert🔮: I kept reminding the waiters to go easy on the spice throughout the trip!
Dessert was a delicate trio—fresh fruit, a red bean mochi-like cake, and a soft rice cake, all paired with hot tea. Each bite felt thoughtfully curated, like a mini celebration of Korean flavours. I did regret not saving room for more of the unlimited snacks and refreshments (ramen and crisps were calling my name!)—but hey, there’s always next time. My friends swear by the ramen, but with the lounge buffet and this meal, there simply wasn’t space.
The in-flight entertainment had a great range of options in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Some shows lacked subtitles—or maybe I just couldn’t figure out how to turn them on—but luckily my years studying Korean and Chinese came in handy. At least I could follow along without missing a thing!
As the plane hummed steadily through the night sky, I took a moment to reflect—not just on the journey ahead, but on the journey I’d taken to get here. This wasn’t just about flying business class; it was about celebrating how far I’d come. And sharing that with my mum made it a memory I’ll always hold close.
🤩 Highlights of this Business Class Travel 🤸
📖 Bucket List Moment Achieved: Flying business class was a dream come true and made this journey feel extra special.
🛏️ Unmatched Comfort: Fully reclining seats, ample legroom, and easy-to-use seat controls ensured a comfortable journey.
🪥 Thoughtful Amenities: The comfort kit, complete with slippers, socks, and toiletries, made settling in effortless.
🥂 Dining Excellence: A choice of Western and Korean meals, unlimited refreshments, and beautifully presented dishes elevated the experience.
🤫 Quiet and Relaxing Cabin: The intimate cabin felt calm, with attentive service and fewer distractions.
🤖 Smart Features: Bathroom availability lights added convenience, and priority boarding made the process seamless.
📺 Entertainment Variety: A selection of movies, music, and shows in multiple languages kept me entertained.
😕 Low lights of this Business Class Travel 😣
👖 No Pyjamas Provided: While the comfort kit was thoughtful, pyjamas would have been a welcome addition.
📦 Limited Storage: With personal bags stowed overhead, I had to plan carefully to keep essentials within reach.
😔 Reserved Service Style: The crew took a hands-off approach, which, while respectful, felt less attentive compared to my economy flights earlier in the year. They were great but I wanted to feel pampered.
🪑 Initial Space Perception: The cabin initially felt slightly cramped - I was expecting more space between the seats, but this impression faded as I adjusted.
🌍 Subtitle Availability: Some entertainment options lacked subtitles, which might be limiting for those unfamiliar with the language.
💡 Tips 💫
✔️ Plan for Comfort: Wear comfortable clothes on your flight. When I was younger, I used to choose style over comfort—but after a few long-haul flights, I quickly learned that looking cute means nothing when you're squirming in your seat for hours! For this particular trip, I wasn’t sure if pyjamas would be provided, so I chose something I’d be comfortable sleeping in too. (Of course, you could pack PJs in your carry-on, but I prefer to travel light.)
✔️ Stay Organised: Keep a small pouch of essential toiletries easily accessible. That way, you can just grab it and take it with you to the bathroom without rummaging through your whole bag.
✔️ Lounge Access: Check in advance if your airport or airline offers lounge access—it might be included in your ticket or available for a prepaid fee. There is also a free buffet so no need to bring anything or buy food from the airport. The lounge is normally near your gate so you can enjoy it without stressing about last-minute sprints.
Side note 📝 Another option to get lounge access is that through certain American express membership you can also join the Priority Pass scheme, which gives me four lounge visits per year. 📝 Another Side note: I only recently realised that when you print your ticket at the airport (especially when checking in bags), it often already lists your gate—or you can find it early on the airline app. I used to constantly check the departure board, but it’s sometimes right there on your boarding pass!
✔️ Choose Seats Strategically: Take time to review the seat map during check-in. For this flight, the layout was 1-2-1, so I Googled reviews to see which seats were best. I avoid sitting near the toilets and prefer seats near the exits, which sometimes have more legroom. For this trip, I picked seats where the tables were on the aisle side, which meant my travel companion and I were seated closer together—great for chatting, and less distracting when people walk by. I also noticed pet symbols on certain seats, indicating they’re designated for passengers with animals—good to know if you have allergies or prefer a quieter space.
✔️ Sign Up for Loyalty Programs: Business class flights can earn you a lot of points—don’t miss the chance to start or grow your frequent flyer account. These points can be used toward future flights, upgrades, or other perks.
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
This first flight wasn’t just about the luxury—it was about a promise I made to myself years ago. Sitting in business class, watching the city lights fade beneath me, I felt the weight of anticipation give way to something softer: fulfilment. This was a dream I’d tucked away in quiet moments of wanderlust, now unfolding at 30,000 feet. Every small detail—the smooth check-in, the spacious seat, the sense of calm—felt like a reward not just for planning this trip, but for daring to dream big. As we soared into the night, I held onto that feeling of deep gratitude. The adventure was only beginning, but I already knew this trip would mean something special.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In 🧋
Are you team ‘arrive super early’ or ‘cut it close’ when heading to the airport?
What’s your go-to airport ritual—lounge visit, coffee stop, duty-free shopping?
Do you pack snacks or rely on airport food?
What’s your must-have item in your carry-on for a long flight?
Window seat, aisle seat, or no preference?
Do you have a favourite airport you've flown through? What made it stand out?
How do you pass the time during layovers—exploring, relaxing, or people-watching?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!