Korean Air Debuts New Business Class in North America

With the crisp autumn air settling over Vancouver, Korean Air has introduced a new chapter in its transpacific service by deploying its newly delivered Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on its Seoul-Incheon to Vancouver route.

The airline, a member of SkyTeam, currently operates ten weekly flights between Seoul and Vancouver, with the Dreamliner serving seven of these routes.

Photo: Courtesy of Vancouver International Airport.

Starting October 27, the schedule will slightly boost to 11 weekly flights, with the 787-10 scheduled for daily departures. As part of a broader strategy to meet growing demand, the route will expand to twice-daily service by December 1.

The flights operated by the brand-new jets leave Vancouver at 2:30 p.m., arriving in Seoul Incheon at 5:50 p.m. the following day. The return flight, KE071, departs from Seoul Incheon at 6:50 p.m. and arrives in Vancouver at 12:40 p.m.

But what exactly sets this aircraft apart, and why is its introduction to Vancouver such an important moment?

Expanding the Dreamliner’s Reach

The Seoul-Vancouver route is just the beginning of Korean Air’s Boeing 787-10 future network. As of the time of writing, the airline has taken delivery of three of these planes—all featuring the Prestige 2.0 cabin.

Photo: Korean Air, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Courtesy of Korean Air

Starting October 27, the 787-10 will also service flights to Bangkok and Denpasar, with destinations in the United States—Honolulu and Seattle—scheduled to begin later this year.

For the Vancouver route, this means an even greater frequency of service, providing travelers with more options for both business and leisure travel.

Growing Demand for Premium Travel

According to Korean Air, the decision to introduce the Boeing 787-10 on the Seoul-Vancouver route comes as a response to the rising demand for business travel between South Korea and Canada.

Daechul Jung, Korean Air’s Canada country manager, says the growth of Korean businesses in Canada has increased demand for premium travel options. This demand is being met with the airline’s enhanced business class offering, catering to executives and professionals seeking a seamless and comfortable journey.

“The 787-10 offers the perfect balance of luxury and convenience for business travelers,” says Jung. “As Korean companies continue to invest in Canada, we anticipate even greater demand for premium travel in the coming years.”

Enter the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner

Korean Air’s Boeing 787-10 is the largest member of the Dreamliner family. It features the airline’s latest business class offering, which is expected to be used across its entire fleet in the future. The aircraft has space for 36 passengers in Prestige Class (business class) and 289 in economy, providing an enhanced experience for both premium and economy travelers.

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

The highlight of the new Dreamliner is the Prestige Suites 2.0, offering a world-class flying experience. Each suite features fully lie-flat seats, stretching up to a generous 78 inches in length, with a seat pitch of 46 inches and a width of 21 inches.

The Prestige 2.0 Suites

For those fortunate enough to fly in Prestige Class, the experience is nothing short of luxurious. The suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering each passenger a fully lie-flat bed and direct aisle access.

The seats, which stretch up to 79.2 inches when fully reclined, are designed to provide maximum comfort for long-haul flights. With a color scheme of muted grays, the cabin feels modern and sophisticated, a departure from Korean Air’s traditional turquoise blue.

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

For couples, the center seats offer a unique feature: a retractable barrier that can be lowered to create a “honeymoon” configuration, transforming two seats into a shared space. This setup caters to the increasing popularity of business class among leisure travelers looking for both comfort and privacy during their flights.

Korean Air has also equipped the Prestige Suites with the latest in-flight technology. Each seat has a 23.8-inch ultra-high-definition screen, wireless charging capabilities, and USB-C ports for fast charging. The airline’s decision to introduce Wi-Fi on its widebody fleet further enhances the in-flight experience, allowing travelers to stay connected at 35,000 feet.

Korean Air’s U.S. Operation

In addition to the newly introduced Boeing 787-10 on its Vancouver route, Korean Air operates an extensive fleet across the United States.

Currently, Korean Air serves 11 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW), Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Washington-Dulles (IAD), and Boston (BOS).

Photo: Korean Air, Airbus A330-300. Courtesy of Kevin Lee / Unsplash

One of the standout features of Korean Air’s U.S. operations is the wide variety of aircraft it deploys across its routes. While there is some variation depending on the destination, the airline maintains consistency by using the same aircraft types on specific routes.

In total, Korean Air flies five different types of aircraft to the U.S., offering a range of cabin classes and inflight experiences.

Here’s a look at the aircraft you can expect to see on Korean Air’s transpacific routes to the U.S.:

• Boeing 747-8: Known for its iconic humpback design, this jumbo jet offers a spacious cabin and is often used on high-demand routes such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. The Queen of the Skies is a favorite for long-haul flights due to its range and capacity, providing business and economy class passengers with a comfortable journey. Top Tip: Keep an eye out for a Business Traveler Tried & Tested review of this aircraft in its Prestige Business Class cabin next month.

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Air

• Boeing 777-300ER (v1) with Kosmo Suites 2.0: This version of the 777-300ER features the airline’s premium Kosmo Suites 2.0 in business class, offering fully lie-flat seats, ample privacy, and direct aisle access. This aircraft is commonly seen on routes such as Atlanta and Dallas.

• Boeing 777-300ER (v2) with Kosmo Suites 2.0 and Apex Suites: The second version of the 777-300ER includes both Kosmo Suites 2.0 and Apex Suites, the latter of which is known for its staggered seating arrangement that maximizes privacy. This configuration is typically deployed on routes with higher demand for premium seating, such as New York and San Francisco.

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Air

• Airbus A380: As one of the few remaining airlines still flying the world’s largest passenger aircraft, Korean Air’s A380 operates on key routes like Los Angeles and New York, providing travelers with a luxurious and spacious experience, particularly in First and Prestige Class. Top Tip: The best part about the airline’s A380s is the iconic Celestial Bar on the rear galley on the aircraft’s upper deck. Next month, expect another Business Traveler Tried & Tested review of this aircraft in its Prestige Business Class cabin.

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Air

• Boeing 787-9: The Dreamliner has been a cornerstone of Korean Air’s fleet, offering a fuel-efficient option for long-haul flights. While the 787-9 operates on select routes to the U.S., it’s now complemented by its larger sibling, the 787-10, which will expand the airline’s Dreamliner footprint in North America.

• Airbus A330-300: This aircraft offers a balanced blend of economy and business class service. While not as prominent as the 747-8 or the A380, the A330-300 is still deployed on several routes, providing reliable service to destinations such as Las Vegas and Seattle.

As the airline continues to roll out its new Boeing 787-10 to other key North American cities like Honolulu and Seattle, expect to see the new Prestige 2.0 in other North American gateways.

What’s Next for Korean Air?

Korean Air is gearing up for its merger with Asiana Airlines, and the Boeing 787-10 debut might offer a glimpse into what the future holds for the airline’s combined fleet.

Industry insiders have taken note of the darker color scheme in the Prestige Suites, suggesting a potential departure from Korean Air’s traditional branding. Jonny Clark, founder of The Design Air, suggests that this shift may be part of a broader rebranding strategy following the merger.

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

“The new business class seats are undeniably impressive,” remarks Clark. “They embody all the hallmark features of today’s business class—direct aisle access, doors, and expansive screens—but the use of a darker grey base is particularly intriguing. It seems to signal a new direction for Korean Air.”

As the airline expands its Dreamliner service to other key destinations, travelers can anticipate encountering more of these aircraft in the skies.