Korean Air review: The biggest issue is the seat design

REVIEW

I recently booked business class on Korean Air from Boston (BOS) to Seoul (ICN), and the airline has taken a clear step backwards compared to their previous product.

Korean Air used to offer the Prestige Suite, which was competitive with the best airlines in the world. Unfortunately, on this route, they’ve reverted to an outdated seating configuration that feels more like a relic from the 1980s than a modern premium cabin.

The biggest issue is the seat design:

No real privacy — you’re fully exposed with no suite or divider
No direct aisle access — you must step over your seatmate
Overall outdated layout that simply doesn’t meet current business class expectations
On a long-haul flight like Boston to Seoul, these shortcomings become very noticeable. Comfort and privacy matter on a 15+ hour flight, and this product falls well short.

In comparison, airlines like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific offer far superior business class experiences, with direct aisle access, significantly more privacy, and a more modern feel.

To be fair, the service from Korean Air is courteous and professional, and the onboard experience is still pleasant from a hospitality standpoint. But in today’s market, the hard product is just as important, and this is where Korean Air is now lagging.

Given these changes, it’s hard to justify their continued 5-star reputation.

Bottom line: On the Boston–Seoul route, Korean Air has taken a noticeable step backwards. Until they reintroduce a modern business class product, there are clearly better options available. JAL and Cathay are now far better.

Would I fly again? Only if there were no better alternatives.