Airline vs Airline
0 shared routes · SkyTeam vs Star Alliance
| Feature | Korean Air | Asiana Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Prestige Class | Business Smartium |
| Alliance | SkyTeam | Star Alliance |
| Seat Type | Apex Suite | Staggered Lie-flat |
| Layout | 2-2-2 (All aisle access) | 1-2-1 |
| Bed Length | 75 inches | 77 inches |
| Seat Width | 21 inches | 22 inches |
| Screen | 17-inch | 15.6-inch |
| Privacy | Open suite | Open suite |
| Rating | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Avg. Price | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Prestige Class
Korean Air positions Prestige Class as a refined, understated alternative to flashier Middle Eastern and Asian rivals — prioritizing consistency, Korean hospitality, and a strong Incheon hub over gimmicks. It sits comfortably among SkyTeam's better business products, competitive with Air France's La Première-adjacent business cabin and ahead of Delta One on international routes not yet fitted with Delta One Suites.
Business Smartium
Business Smartium occupies the middle tier of Asiana's business class offering — a fully flat, legacy hard product aimed at travelers prioritizing service and cuisine over cutting-edge seat privacy. It competes less on hardware innovation and more on the airline's reputation for polished, hospitality-driven cabin crew and strong Korean culinary programming.
Korean Air operates its Prestige Suites business class product on long-haul routes, featuring fully lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration on Boeing 777s and 787s. The seats convert to 180-degree beds measuring 74-78 inches, though privacy remains limited with low dividers between passengers. Asiana Airlines counters with its Smartium business class seats, also fully lie-flat in similar configurations, offering comparable dimensions but marginally better side privacy panels on its A350 and 777 aircraft.
Where Korean Air decisively wins is catering quality and presentation. The airline's partnership with renowned Korean chefs delivers exceptional bibimbap, premium Korean barbecue, and western options that consistently rank among Asia's finest. Korean Air's First Class lounges at Incheon, accessible to business passengers on intercontinental flights, feature superior dining with chef-attended stations. Asiana's Asiana Lounge provides solid amenities but lacks the culinary sophistication of its rival.
The frequent flyer comparison tilts toward Korean Air's SKYPASS program, which partners with Delta and offers better award availability across SkyTeam routes. Asiana's Asiana Club, while part of Star Alliance, provides fewer premium redemption opportunities. Asiana does excel in cabin crew attentiveness and maintains quieter, better-maintained cabins.
Korean Air wins for gastronomy-focused travelers and those valuing lounge quality, while Asiana suits passengers prioritizing cabin ambiance and softer service touches over dining excellence.
Choose Korean Air for the superior cabin experience (8.7/10). Choose Korean Air if value matters most — fares average ~$3,000 on shared routes.
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