If you’re planning a trip to South Korea, you’ve probably come across Air Premia while searching for flights. That was exactly my husband and I’s experience, we genuinely had never heard of them before we booked our flight. On our most recent trip to Seoul, we found a direct flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Seoul that was significantly cheaper than any of the other airlines. After doing a quick bit of research, we decided to give it a go. After flying more than 100 flights over the past two years, here’s my honest review of what it was actually like flying Air Premia from LAX to Incheon, Seoul.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.
What to Expect When Flying Air Premia
Because this was my first time flying Air Premia, I really had no idea what to expect, and after flying budget airlines in the past my expectations were pretty low. However, Air Premia simply went above and beyond in every way, even on their website they actually categorize themselves as a “hybrid” airline – meaning they rival budget airline price points while still offering a more inclusive and complementary air service. Even though my husband and I flew in economy seats, this was honestly one of the best flight experiences we’ve had, and as two people that have taken lots of flights last two years, that’s saying something.
Our check in experience at LAX was the same as other airlines, we went to the check-in counter and checked in our two included bags each and we had an on-time departure – which lately isn’t often the case. We were also allowed a carry on bag, which fit in the space above us, and we were able to stretch out and utilize the space under the seat in front of us. We each brought a backpack, which had no issues for space. When we arrived at our seat we had a pillow and blankets, plus an eye mask for us to use during the 13 hour flight. Seats had a surprising amount of legroom, even my husband who is 6’2″ had much more space than other budget airlines. Similar to other airlines, each seat had its own pocket for personal items, a TV to watch shows, and a charging port. Wifi was available for purchase, but we didn’t buy it.
My Must-Do Tours in Seoul :
-> DMZ & Suspension Bridge Tour
-> Full Day Nami Island & Alpaca World Trip
My Honest Air Premia Review
Boarding, Seats and Overall Comfort
The boarding experience for our Air Premia flight felt organized, and very efficient. Similar to other airlines we boarded in zones. Priority passengers (like those in first class) boarded first, and those of us in economy boarded in steps through our assigned zones. Flight stewardess and attendants were in uniform and cleanly dressed, reminding me of Korean Air, and they kindly welcomed us onto the plane as we boarded. Similarly, the plane itself was very clean, there was no garbage on the floor and everything seemed to be in its place. Even the tray tables seemed to have all been wiped down. Compared to my prior experience with flights in the same price range, I was very impressed. Like I mentioned above, we had enough space to store our carry on above us, and we also had plenty of legroom for my tall husband to stretch out. We also had blankets, pillows, and eye masks to use during the flight.
Entertainment
Entertainment was a bit tricky as well. Because they’re a Korean based airline, most of the onboard entertainment was in Korean as well, which really limited options for English speakers like my husband. Luckily I had no issues, and unlike experiences on other flights, our screens worked the entire time and we had no issues. If you’re planning to fly Air Premia and don’t speak Korean, I recommend pre-downloading some episodes or movies to enjoy during the flight.
Food & Drinks
During our flight to Seoul, we were served two different meals and a snack, as well as various beverages like coffee, tea, and soda. There were more options available for purchase (like their “chi-mek” combo – a chicken & beer combo famous in Korea), but we only tried what was included with our ticket. Overall, the food was ok – you could tell they tried to incorporate a mix of Korean and American food, some of it worked and some didn’t. Their version of bibimbap was ok, but as you can tell in the photo some of the vegetables were a bit old. It did come with a miniature version of sesame oil and gojuchang, which I thought turned out pretty good after mixing in. On the other hand, their cold coleslaw side with a slice of ham really didn’t do it for me – but with so much food included I really couldn’t complain.
Would I Fly Air Premia Again?
Overall, I honestly enjoyed flying Air Premia and it definitely exceeded my expectations. The service felt much closer to a full service airline than a budget airline – boarding was organized, the cabin was clean, and having multiple meals included really made the long flight much more comfortable. While the entertainment options could be better for English speakers, I would absolutely fly Air Premia again. If you’re looking for an affordable nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Seoul, I think Air Premia is definitely worth considering.
Watch Before You Go To Korea!
Other Blog Posts You Might Be Interested In :
-> Apps to Download Before Korea
-> Using the Subway System in Seoul
-> Best Street Foods to Try in Korea
Pin this Air Premia Review for Later!
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