I took plenty of flights in '24 too, but in '25 I went in with the mindset of getting a taste of Asiana Gold and then hitting Diamond, so I flew a ton and made Diamond. Compared to '24, I took fewer flights, but I think I tried more unique airlines. It wasn't exactly 'a little' either, so I'm organizing this into a series. How many parts will there be? I dunno lol.
1. '25. 3. 10. China Eastern MU 5022 ICN-TAO Economy
Took China Eastern to Qingdao. It's so close. Actual flight time was less than an hour?
Shot of the plane.
It says Xi'an, but since it stops at Qingdao before heading to Xi'an, the plane is split between people going to Qingdao and those going all the way.
Mandatory safety card certification.
Since it's an FSC, they did give out a simple meal.
2. '25. 3. 11. China Eastern MU2043 TAO-ICN Economy
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport for the return flight.
Opened during the COVID era, so it's huge and fancy.
They still give you a meal...
When I boarded, they had already distributed them at every seat.
Welcome back to Korea...
3. '25. 3. 22. Asiana Airlines OZ 551 ICN - Istanbul
My first long-haul since New York. I rarely take morning flights, but man, it was packed.
Asiana morning hell-counter.
This is why people complain about waiting an hour just to check in.
Well, if you rank up, you get to skip the line comfortably.
I was Asiana Gold at the time, so I cleared it in 10 mins.
The plane I'm taking...
The number is 756... a sense of dread creeps in. (Note: Refers to older aircraft config)
3-3-3 seating layout.
Picked an aisle seat.
My bad gut feeling was right.
Long-haul hell confirmed. No charging port, what am I supposed to do?
Safety card certification.
Asiana's economy meal for Istanbul.
The Ssambap and pizza they serve on long-hauls are definitely bangers. Gotta eat them again next time.
And so, arrived in Turkey.
4. '25. 3. 23. Turkish Airlines TK2006: Istanbul - Nevsehir
One of the domestic Turkish routes Koreans take often.
A domestic flight to Cappadocia. Usually, if you take Turkish Airlines, or Asiana (since they're in the same alliance), they handle the luggage transfer. But I had a 1-night stay in Istanbul, so I didn't link them. If you're going to Cappadocia via Asiana and Turkish, make sure to ask the staff at ICN to link your domestic luggage.
But we had to take a bus instead of a bridge, which killed my mood.
On the bright side, boarding via the tarmac means you can take photos of the plane from the outside.
Safety card certification.
Turkish Airlines specialty: They give you a meal even on domestic flights.
Honestly didn't expect a sandwich. All hail Turkish Airlines from now on.
Arrived at Nevsehir Airport.
No bridge here, just walked to the terminal.
5. '25. 3. 25. Turkish Airlines TK2005 Nevsehir - Istanbul
Domestic flight back to Istanbul from Nevsehir Airport.
People usually go to Kayseri because it's cheaper, but since the price difference wasn't much, I bought the flight from the closer Nevsehir.
No jet bridge at Nevsehir, so you gotta walk from the terminal to the plane.
It was the Star Alliance special livery.
Interior and safety card certification.
Gave me another sandwich on the way to Istanbul.
Love that Turkish domestic flights give you food. Even US airlines don't do that.
Arrived at Istanbul Airport.
Even though there were plenty of gates with bridges, they sent us by bus. Probably because the next flight for this plane was international, so we landed at the international terminal.
6. '25. 3. 26. Aegean Airlines A3 991 Istanbul - Athens
Heading to Greece the very next day.
Going to Athens on the Greek flag carrier, Aegean Airlines.
My first time on Aegean.
Wonder if I'll ever fly them again?
Unlike Turkish Airlines' red, Aegean is a refreshing blue.
Interior and safety card certification complete.
Aegean Airlines in-flight meal.
Feels a bit more lacking compared to Turkish Airlines.
Arrived in Greece!
Glad the weather's nice~ But immigration took a bit too long, maybe around 40 minutes.
7. '25. 3. 27. Aegean Airlines A3994 Athens - Istanbul
Back to Istanbul the next day on Aegean.
FYI, Aegean is Star Alliance.
You can earn Asiana miles. Sad I couldn't use the lounge since I was only Gold back then.
Cabin shot and safety card certification.
Aegean meal for the Istanbul flight.
Quality was better than the one to Athens, but my stomach was acting up so I couldn't eat much. Not sure if it was the Greek food, but my stomach started hurting that day and stayed bad for a week.
Back in Istanbul.
Istanbul night view is pretty.
Reached the photo limit, so I'll continue in the next post.
"An aviation nerd provides a detailed log of his international hops, sparking tech talk about boarding gates and the typical 'Real-time Best' troll comments."
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