Emirates EK323/EK121 Economy Review: Incheon to Istanbul

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Emirates Incheon to Istanbul Flight via Dubai Layover

Review of Emirates EK323 & EK121: Economy Class Experience & In-flight Meals

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Why I Chose Emirates for My Journey

Our Istanbul Flight for a Family Trip to Turkey

I opted for a route with a layover in Dubai.

While Korean Air and Turkish Airlines

offered direct flights from Incheon to Istanbul,

since we were heading towards Europe anyway,

we wanted to make the most of it and experience a layover in Dubai too.

So, we chose Emirates.

For a flight in August 2025, 6 months prior,

we booked it in February 2025 for around ~$888 per person.

While checking in at Incheon International Airport,

I received two boarding passes:

▪️Incheon - Dubai (Flight EK323)

▪️Dubai - Istanbul (Flight EK121)

For such transit tickets,

they provide all boarding passes up to the final destination,

so it's crucial to keep them safe and not lose them :)

EK323: Incheon-Dubai Economy Class Review

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📌EK323 Flight Essentials

Route: Seoul/Incheon (ICN) → Dubai (DXB)

Local Departure Time (Incheon): 23:55

Local Arrival Time (Dubai): 04:25

Flight Duration: Approximately 9 hours 30 minutes

Aircraft Type: Airbus A380-800

Economy Seat Configuration: 3-4-3

Power Outlets: USB Port and AC Outlet

In-seat Entertainment System

In-flight Meals: 2 meals provided

This was my first time flying with **Emirates**

for our family trip to Turkey.

Before the trip, I admit I had some reservations, wondering if it would live up to the hype.

But, as it turns out, there's a very good reason why Emirates is so highly regarded!

My mom even praised Emirates, saying it was excellent,

and even wanted to fly with them again next time!

Amenity Pouch (*Economy Class)

I was in Economy Class, and they provided a basic amenity kit

which included earplugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste, an eye mask, and socks,

all neatly packed in an eco-friendly pouch.

Emirates EK323 In-flight Meals

On the flight from Incheon to Dubai,

a total of two meals are provided. (*Dinner and Breakfast)

Beer, wine, and other beverages are also served.

There was a menu card placed in front of the seat,

which was super convenient for checking the meal options beforehand.

You can also view it through the Emirates airline app.

First up, the in-flight meal we had was dinner.

It was served about 2 hours after departure.

Our flight departed Incheon at 11:55 PM,

and dinner was served at 1:40 AM.

For the main course, we could choose between dakgalbi or beef ragu,

and it was generally delicious!

Since it was an Incheon departure flight, the spices weren't too strong either, which was great!

The second in-flight meal was breakfast.

It was served 5 hours after dinner.

The menu offered scrambled eggs or stir-fried beef.

Beyond the main dish, there was also bread, dessert, fruit, coffee, and more,

It was such a varied selection, I was really satisfied!

The lavatories were quite clean too! :)

They even had hand lotion and eau de toilette perfume available,

making them smell wonderfully fragrant...!

Mid-flight, they also gave us warm wet towels to clean our hands.

These thoughtful little services truly won me over! ♥️

The flight from Incheon to Dubai was 9 hours and 30 minutes long,

but after enjoying two meals and getting some sleep, we arrived in no time.

It didn't feel difficult at all.

Emirates Economy Class seats were comfortable too.

The legroom was quite generous, so with the provided

blanket, a pillow at my lower back, and an eye mask on,

I put on the socks and slept soundly...

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EK121: Dubai-Istanbul Economy Class Review

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📌EK121 Basic Information

Route: Dubai (DXB) → Istanbul (IST)

Local departure time from Dubai: 14:20

Local arrival time in Istanbul: 17:55

Flight time: Approximately 4 hours 35 minutes

Aircraft type: Boeing B777-300

Seating arrangement: 3-4-3

Power outlets: USB port and AC outlet

In-seat entertainment system

In-flight meal: Served once

After my layover adventure in Dubai, I boarded the flight to Istanbul.

The flight time from Dubai to Istanbul was approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes!

It's a flight that feels like you arrive in no time at all.

The aircraft type I boarded this time was a Boeing,

and it felt somehow newer than the Airbus! Haha.

Emirates EK121 In-flight Meal

On the Dubai - Istanbul EK121 flight, the in-flight meal was

served once, about an hour after takeoff.

For the main course, you could choose between chicken or salmon!

The taste felt like Middle Eastern cuisine, maybe? Haha. Both the rice and bread

were different from the food I had on flight EK323...

But this one was delicious too! And the spices weren't overpowering.

Even on the Emirates Dubai to Istanbul flight,

I flew economy, and it was so comfortable with plenty of legroom.

Both the Airbus A380-800 and the Boeing B777-300 felt spacious with

a seat pitch of 81cm and a seat width of 43cm!

With flight times of 9 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours 35 minutes, making a total of about 14 hours,

it was quite a long-haul journey. But the in-flight meals were delicious,

the service was friendly, and the legroom was ample, so I was really satisfied!

I'm pretty sure I'll fly Emirates again next time too!♥️

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▪️Booking Period: The entire month of October 2026

▪️Flight Departure Period: ~ December 31, 2027

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▪️Discount Code: 3HAFLT3

🔻🔻

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