Flight Report: MNL-ICN on Korean Air Flight KE 626 (27 Jan 2025)

A review of my recent experience aboard Korean Air (KE) flight KE 626 between Manila and Seoul.

OVERVIEW

Note: All times are local. There is a 1-hour time difference between Manila (GMT+8) and Seoul (GMT+9).

Airline and flight number : Korean Air (KE) 626
Route : Manila, Philippines (IATA code: MNL) to Seoul-Incheon, South Korea (IATA code: ICN)
Route type : International
Date : Monday, 27 January 2025
Scheduled departure time (MNL) : 00:55
Actual departure time (MNL) : 01:49 [take-off]
Scheduled arrival time (ICN) : 06:00
Actual arrival time (ICN) : 06:21 [gate arrival]
Aircraft : Airbus A321neo
Registration number : HL8531 (delivered October 2023)
Cabin configuration : 8 Business (“Prestige”) / 174 Economy = 182 total

MY EXPERIENCE

The journey began at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), the main transport hub serving the Philippine capital of Manila.

At the time of my flight and as of this writing, KE’s assigned terminal at MNL is T1. Click here to learn more about the terminal as a whole.

As a resident of the Philippines, I had to pay the mandatory “travel tax” at the terminal’s TIEZA booth before checking in. Click here to learn more.

Check-in was entirely routine. Queue up at the appropriate lane – Economy Class in this case – to show my passport, drop off luggage, accept boarding passes, done. One thing to bear in mind: there is a tendency at MNL (regardless of terminal) for passengers to start queuing up well in advance of the counters actually opening, so unless you’re exceptionally early to the line you’ll be quite far down.

I had a connection to make at Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN), so I was issued two boarding passes for the entire journey. My luggage was also tagged for delivery to the final destination. Whilst normal for international flights with multiple segments, things were a little unusual in my case as the second leg was, technically, a domestic flight (albeit treated as international). This special combination of flights is explained in further detail here.

Then followed the usual succession of airport staples: outbound immigration, security, and a long, boring wait.

Boarding was conducted according to a priority-driven sequence. Wheelchair-bound passengers and others with special needs first, then “Prestige” (business) class, frequent-flyer programme members, rear of the plane, front of the plane.

This evening’s noble steed was a shiny new A321neo, fitted with KE’s latest-generation cabin interiors. I don’t have any pictures of Prestige Class from this flight, but it all looked very impressive for a narrow-body aeroplane – learn more about it on the KE official website.

Economy Class wasn’t anywhere near as luxurious, but it proved more than adequate for this relatively short flight.

Note the generously-sized touch-screen personal monitors, which were gargantuan by Economy standards at a whopping 17 inches.

Other amenities included coat hooks (mounted near the headrest of the seat in front) and universal power outlets down by the floor.

Blankets were supplied at every seat prior to boarding. Earphones were available self-service from a tray by the door during boarding, and could be requested from the cabin crew later during the flight.

The inflight meal was quite substantial: your choice of hot main course (either beef or chicken if memory serves) served with steamed rice, bread and butter, cucumber salad, sliced fruit, and a cup of your preferred beverage. Hot coffee was also offered during service.

On the whole, a great experience aboard a shiny new aeroplane with good food, reasonable legroom, attentive service, and only a slightly delayed arrival (substantial delay in departure notwithstanding). I’d happily fly with KE again on this route.