Korean Air Unveils New Business Class, Orders 50 Boeing Jets

Korean Air has introduced an all-new business class product, Prestige Suites 2.0, which will be available on the carrier’s new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners starting this week.

In addition to debuting the new Business Class cabin, the airline finalized a deal with Boeing at the Farnborough Air Show, placing an order for up to 20 777-9s and 20 787-10s, with options for an additional 10 787-10s.

Photo: Courtesy of Boeing

“We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”

The New Seat

Despite not having a formal launch event, the Seoul-based carrier is proud of the new seats, which provide privacy and comfort for 36 business class travelers on each flight.

Photo: Boeing 787-10, Prestige Class 2.0. Courtesy of Korean Air

The seats are arranged in a staggered, 1-2-1 configuration, with the footwell of one seat located to the side of the seat in front and a pitch of 46 inches between the seats.

The seats fully recline into a bed, lengths between 78.2 and 79.2 inches. For comparison, a standard US twin-sized bed is 75 inches long.

Photo: Boeing 787-10, Prestige Class 2.0. Courtesy of Korean Air

Each seat has direct aisle access and 52-inch barriers, which can be closed during the flight. Couples can select the two middle seats and lower that barrier to create a single bed, a configuration known in the industry as “Honeymoon style.” It’s a configuration that capitalizes on the recent popularity of business class seats among well-heeled leisure travelers, not just those on corporate trips.

The suites are equipped with the latest in-flight tech, including 23.8-inch ultra-high-definition personal screens with handheld remotes, wireless charging pads, USB charging ports, and universal power outlets. Korean Air is also rolling out Wi-Fi to its Dreamliners, a first for its fleet’s widebody aircraft.

The seats are rendered in neutral, dark colors, a departure for Korean Air. The carrier has traditionally used a turquoise blue known as “Morning Calm,” which, after twenty years, looks somewhat dated.

Photo: Boeing 787-10, Prestige Class 2.0. Courtesy of Korean Air

According to Jonny Clark, founder of The Design Air, “The new business class seats are certainly impressive,” he said.

“It’s not fully clear which hard product this is, as it has been heavily customized, but it’s following the usually expected cues for today’s business class. All-aisle-access, doors, large screens, but more interestingly, the color palette references a sea of airlines in Asia opting for a darker grey base,” Clark adds.

With Korean Air’s merger with competitor Asiana Airlines near completion, this could be the new color palette we’ll eventually see across the unified fleet.

Where can you catch Prestige Suites 2.0?

The new cabin will be installed on the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners Korean Air has on order. The first three of these planes will be delivered this summer. One has already arrived in Seoul before its first commercial flight this Tuesday from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT).

Photo: Boeing 787-10, Prestige Class 2.0. Courtesy of Korean Air

Korean Air will also retrofit its 25 Boeing 777-300ER jets with new seats, replacing its first class offering with larger and more luxurious business class seats. Korean Air’s 777-300s currently have eight first-class seats.

Some travelers may miss the Apex Suites currently featured on some Korean Air 777s and other Boeing jets in the fleet. These seats have won fans with their very generous and private window seats. However, they have larger footprints, so it makes less economic sense for Korean Air.

The Boeing Order

Korean Air is set to become the latest customer to finalize the purchase of Boeing’s highly acclaimed 777-9, the largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet in the world.

This aircraft boasts a seating capacity for 426 passengers in a two-class configuration and an impressive range of 13,500 km (7,285 nautical miles).

Photo: Boeing 777-X. Courtesy of Boeing

The aircraft, which began its flight certification program with the FAA in July, is set to be delivered to Lufthansa and Emirates as its launch customers.

In addition to the 777-9, Korean Air will add more 787-10 Dreamliners to its fleet, an aircraft that can carry up to 336 passengers and has a range of 11,730 km (6,330 nautical miles). These acquisitions are set to bolster Korean Air’s capabilities and offer enhanced services to its passengers.