South Korean carrier, Air Premia, has introduced a second U.S. gateway to its network. The airline will launch nonstop flights between Seoul-Incheon and Newark in May.
Air Premia is now expanding its footprint into the U.S. market by adding up to four weekly flights to the New York City area from its hub at Seoul-Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea.
According to the airline, the four weekly flights will depart ICN at 21.05 to land in Newark at 22.00 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On the way back, flights will leave New Jersey every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 00.30, arriving in Seoul the following day at 04.25. In addition, a fourth frequency will be added to the airline’s network in June.
Air Premia’s new nonstop service to Newark will not face direct competition as Korean Air and Asiana fly nonstop from ICN to New York JFK, and United does not operate flights to Seoul from its New Jersey hub.
Long-Haul/Low-Cost Upgraded Service
Similarly to Frenchbee, Norse Atlantic, and Jetstar Airways, Air Premia is one of the few long-haul carriers without a Business Class onboard its aircraft. As a result, one-way fares for Air Premia’s new services to Newark start from US$314 in Economy to $498 in Premium Economy.
The South Korean long-haul/low-cost carrier is in a class of its own in the transpacific market as it offers ultra-generous pitch among the seats in both cabins. For example, the 56 Premium Economy seats feature a 42 inches (107cm) pitch, and the 253 seats in Economy stand at 35 inches (89cm).
That generous space between each row of seats puts the Korean airline atop the industry. In Premium Economy, only Japan Airlines sports a 42-inch seat pitch on its Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 787-9s. In Economy, Air Premia’s 35 inches beats all competitors, including All Nippon Airways’ 34 inches (86cm), featured onboard its lowest-densely configurated Boeing 787-9s.
It is no secret that Air Premia has plans to expand its long-haul network to Australia and Europe. And, while commenting on the beginning of flights to Newark, the airline’s Strategic Planning Manager, SangHo Han, has revealed that “sales for Frankfurt will be opened soon.”
