Korean Air announced that it will launch premium economy class and upgrade its airport lounges at Seoul’s Incheon Airport (ICN), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York.
The upgrades are part of its “service enhancement strategy,” the airline said.
This announcement follows the relaunch of the South Korean airline’s new brand identity and the unveiling of a new aircraft livery to mark its merger with Asiana Airlines.
The airline said it will retrofit 11 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, removing first class cabins to install premium economy cabins.
The first retrofitted aircraft will enter service in the second half of 2025 with a three-class configuration: Prestige (business), premium economy and economy. Fleet modifications will continue through 2026 to expand premium economy availability across more routes.
Korean Air said the launch of a premium economy product is in response to growing market demand for that type of seating.
Starting August 2025, the airline will expand and renovate its existing lounges at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2. New “Prestige Class Garden Lounges” will be built in both the east and west wings. These enhancements will accommodate increased passenger traffic following the airport expansion and the relocation of Asiana Airlines into Terminal 2.
The airline said that 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.
The First Class Lounge and Prestige Class Lounge in ICN’s west wing will undergo renovations and reopen in April 2026. 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.
Meanwhile, the airline said that its lounges at LAX and JFK will undergo complete restructure, incorporating city-themed designs.