With the merger with Asiana Airlines approaching, Korean Air is announcing a new corporate identity (CI) and a new livery while overhauling its in-flight meal menu and convenience services to elevate its service quality. Korean Air plans to introduce premium economy class not only in first class but also in economy class, and will create a more comfortable environment in its airport lounges.
Since 12th, Korean Air has been operating renewed in-flight services on 10 major long-haul routes, including New York, Paris, and London. The first-class meal has replaced previous offerings like gold-plated grilled beef, burdock short ribs, and bibimbap with royal cuisine dishes such as Sinseollo (a hot pot dish with meat, seafood, and vegetables cooked in beef broth) and octopus rice. Kimchi, which had not been provided in the in-flight meals, is now being offered to reflect customer preferences.
The composition of in-flight meal courses has also been elevated by using amuse-bouche and caviar in appetizers. New cooking methods such as papillote, which involves wrapping ingredients in cooking paper and steaming them while baking, have been introduced, showcasing Stone Flounder in papillote, and menus using ingredients such as duck breast steak and lamb have been created.
Korean Air ensures that passengers feel like they are in a high-end restaurant by allowing communication between the crew and menu, and also offers presentation services that include items like cheese and yogurt cereal. To enhance in-flight meal quality, Korean Air has been developing menus and services in collaboration with chef Kim Seo-kyung from Cesta and Hyu135 in Yongsan, Seoul, for two years. This marks the first renovation of Korean Air's in-flight meals in 15 years.
The tableware and utensils provided in first class have been upgraded as well. While plates, knives, forks, and glasses were previously sourced from British Wedgwood, first class has switched to French Bernard China ware, Christofle cutlery, and German Riedel wine glasses. Prestige class will also serve in-flight meals using Armani Casa tableware and wine glasses.
Sleepwear and bedding will also feature products from the Italian luxury brand Prête. Toiletries have been created in collaboration with the British brand Graft. This service was introduced on select long-haul routes on the 12th and will be applied to all long-haul routes by June. From September, new services will be rolled out successively on all medium and short-haul routes.
Services such as the shopper service (transporting passengers from Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon to Incheon International Airport) and premium escort service (a dedicated employee accompanying passengers from check-in to lounge entry and boarding) will continue to be offered. Korean Air plans to renovate its check-in lounges and KAL lounges within the airport to ensure customers have a more comfortable experience.
The renovation of the check-in lounge was completed last December, prior to the service announcement. Previously featuring bright lighting and light purple sofas, the lounge has been redesigned with decreased lighting, carpets, and dark furniture to create a hotel lounge-like atmosphere. Korean Air also plans to continue renovation work on lounges within Incheon International Airport. The first-class lounge and prestige lounge on the west side of the airport are also set to be transformed into hotel lounge-like environments, with completion targeted for April next year.
Korean Air plans to provide a variety of fresh foods in its airport lounges, with bartenders and baristas preparing cocktails, wines, and beverages on the spot for passengers. A dedicated bakery and patisserie offering various bakery items and desserts will also be operated.
Korean Air plans to introduce premium economy seats, an upgrade of the standard economy class seats. Starting in the second half of this year, premium economy will be installed to replace first-class seats on 11 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airport lounges will also add two new 'Prestige Garden' lounges on the east and west sides of Incheon Airport, increasing the total to six lounges.