It is an interesting time at Korean Air. In December 2024 its merger with Asiana Airlines completed, and in March this year it was announced that the Asiana Airlines brand will be phased out on January 1, 2027. Korean Air has since unveiled a new brand logo and livery ahead of the full integration of the two airlines.
The latest development is that Korean Air has announced it will introduce premium economy class service, in response to growing market demand. The airline will retrofit 11 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with premium economy cabins. The cabin space required to fit the cabins will be created by removing the first-class cabins from the aircraft.
According to Korean Air the first retrofitted aircraft will enter service in the second half of 2025, with the new three-class configuration comprising Prestige (business), premium economy, and economy. Fleet modifications will continue through 2026 in order to expand the availability of premium economy across more routes.
Airport lounge upgrades
Korean Air has also said it is upgrading its airport lounges as part of its service enhancement strategy. The airline will expand and renovate its existing lounges at Terminal 2 of Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. New ‘Prestige Class Garden Lounges’ will be built in both the east and west wings, which are areas added during the airport’s Phase 4 expansion. These enhancements will accommodate increased passenger traffic, following the expansion of the airport and the relocation of Asiana Airlines into Terminal 2.
The existing Prestige Class Lounge in the east wing will double in size, while the Miler Club Lounge will also be expanded. These four lounges will open in phases from August 2025, providing a more spacious environment for customers.
Meanwhile the First Class Lounge and Prestige Class Lounge in the west wing will undergo renovations and reopen in April 2026. The airline says the First Class Lounge will be “transformed into a premium space that exceeds airport lounge conventions”. Once all upgrades are complete, Korean Air will operate a total of six lounges at Incheon, expanding the overall lounge space by 2.5 times and doubling seating capacity.
Food and beverage services in the lounges will be enhanced with live kitchens offering fresh, diverse cuisines. Bartenders and baristas will prepare cocktails, wines and beverages on-site. Dedicated bakeries and patisseries will serve items such as croissants, pizzas and desserts, while a noodle bar will offer freshly prepared dishes.
The airline will also renovate its lounges at major international hub airports. The lounges at Los Angeles (LAX) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will undergo complete redesigns, incorporating themes appropriate to each city.
Korean Air is also enhancing the airport lounge experience with a new feature in its mobile app. This update will provide passengers with real-time information on lounge location, amenities, reservations and crowd levels, making it easier to plan their time before a flight.
