Why I Heart Korean Air

Taking a flight to Asia is a daunting task. Sitting on a plane for more than 6 hours makes me uncomfortable just thinking about it. Try 18 hours! Thankfully on both my trips to Asia I took Korean Air. And they made it the most enjoyable flight I could have ever imagined.

My first experience with KA was when I went to Japan last September. That flight was direct and only 10 hours. They give you a pillow, blanket, and goody bag filled with slippers, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. I had a window seat, which I prefer and there's enough leg and elbow room for me (but I'm petite). They have the best movie selection ever, so the time flies by. I got to catch up on The Social Network, Wall Street, Easy A, Never Let Me Go, and a bunch of other movies I can't remember this go round.

And the food! Last year I went with the Vegan Oriental Meal. It was pretty good. The flight attendants come around with juice and water every few hours and snacks are available in-between meals. Fruit seemed to be the only choice for vegans. Here are the meal options for vegetarians and vegans. So many choices!

Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal

Neither meat, poultry, fish of any kinds nor product with lard and gelatin are used. Yet meals can contain egg & dairy products are allowed. Main ingredients are grains, fruit, vegetables and vegetable oil.

Vegetarian Vegan Meal

Neither meat, poultry, fish of any kind, product with lard and gelatin, nor diary products and eggs are used. Main ingredients are grains, fruit, vegetables and vegetable oil.

Vegetarian Hindu Meal

Neither meat, poultry, fish of any kind, nor eggs are used. Meals are spicy vegetarian combinations which may contain dairy products.

Vegetarian Jain Meal

Neither meat, poultry, fish of any kind, product with lard and gelatin, nor diary products and eggs are used. No root vegetables such as onion, garlic, ginger are used. Meals are spicy Indian vegetarian combinations.

Vegetarian Oriental Meal

Neither meat, poultry, fish of any kind, product with lard and gelatin, nor diary products and eggs are used. Root vegetables such as onion, garlic, ginger are allowed. Meals are prepared in Oriental style.

For the first leg of my flight last week I went with the Vegetarian Jain Meal, since I don't cook with garlic and onions much and they usually make me very sleepy. It was pretty boring, steamed veggies, salad, roll with vegan butter and fruit. It was nice eating healthy on the plane though. Next leg I went with the standard Vegetarian Vegan Meal. This meal was so rich, a bit too oily for me, but really tasty. So if you want something really simple and healthy go with the Jain meal. If you like Asian food go with the Oriental meal and if you just want some tasty vegan food go with the Vegetarian Vegan meal.

The only I thing I don't like about Korean Air is they make you do a layover in Seoul in hopes that you'll give their country some tourism and do a stopover. The airport there sucks. No vegan options to be found. But they do have free wireless and plugs located around all the gates. Hopefully your layover is not that long and you stuffed yourself on the plane. There's always Starbucks which has soy milk that can suppress your appetite for ya.

Have you flown internationally before? Which airline did you take and what were the plus and minuses of that carrier?