Contemporary off a significant revamp to its model and inflight expertise, Korean Air is planning to deliver premium financial system to its fleet for the primary time — and sundown its first-class cabin on a few dozen long-haul jets within the course of.
South Korea’s flag provider can also be plotting a significant improve for its two U.S. lounges.
Monday’s announcement marks the newest in a sequence of modifications on the Seoul-based airline, which not too long ago acquired the inexperienced gentle for its acquisition of fellow South Korean provider Asiana Airways and final week unveiled a brand new emblem, livery and complete replace to its onboard service.
Including premium financial system
Later this 12 months, Korean will start updating practically a dozen of is Boeing 777-300ER plane with its first premium financial system lodging.
As a part of the cabin overhauls, Korean’s 777s will lose their first-class cabin in favor of the mid-tier seats.
As soon as full, 11 of Korean’s 777s will sport a brand new three-cabin configuration that includes its Status enterprise class, the inaugural premium financial system cabin, and coach.
Following an trade development
A transfer “in response to rising market demand,” Korean is essentially following within the footsteps of different international airways.
Whereas some airways, like Lufthansa and Japan Airways have added new and swanky first-class lodging, a wider vary of carriers have ditched their most spacious seats in favor of barely much less luxurious — however nonetheless spectacular – enterprise class suites and pods, complemented by premium financial system recliners in the course of the airplane.
Look no additional than American Airways’ plans to sunset its Flagship First cabins in 2025 in favor of a higher total number of Flagship Business suites — that is, whenever production finally finishes.
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Korean itself debuted an all-new “2.0” version of its Prestige business class last year, featuring the privacy doors that have become a coveted premium-cabin amenity among airlines.
More broadly, premium economy has become a critical part of many airlines’ long-haul service over the past decade as a way to cater to travelers who don’t want to pay top dollar (or a sizable chunk of miles) for upscale, lie-flat seats, but want added comfort and improved dining.
The Asian market alone recently saw EVA Air, based in Taiwan, announce a total reboot for its premium economy — a cabin it once pioneered in late last century.
Retrofits for 11 Boeing 777s
Back to Korean: Its first retrofitted 777 sporting premium economy is expected to enter service during the second half of 2025, the airline said Monday. Retrofits on 10 additional 777s — the carrier has about three-dozen whole — are anticipated to unfold over the subsequent 12 months and a half, or so, with cabin refits working via 2026.
It is value noting, the 777 is simply of a number of widebody plane Korean flies, together with on routes to and from the U.S. Its long-haul fleet contains the Boeing 747 and 787 Dreamliner, together with the Airbus A330, A350 and A380.
The provider didn’t announce any refit plans for its different widebody jets Monday.
‘Full redesign’ for Korean Air lounges
The airline did, nevertheless, reveal plans to a lounge refresh.
On high of increasing its outposts at its Incheon Worldwide Airport (ICN) house base in Seoul, Korean introduced “full redesigns” for its services at New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (JFK).
These golf equipment will incorporate “city-themed atmospheres,” the provider stated.
Vacationers hoping to e book flights with Korean Air can use money, or e book a redemption utilizing its Skypass loyalty program — or e book a accomplice award flight via one among its SkyTeam alliance companions like Delta Air Strains, Air France or KLM.
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