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Korean Air
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Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. , operating as Korean Air, is the national and largest airline of South Korea; its global headquarters are located in Seoul in Korea. Its international passenger division and related subsidiary cargo division together serve 130 cities in 45 countries, while its domestic division serves 20 destinations. It is among the top 20 airlines in the world airlines in terms of passengers carried.
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Encyclopedia
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. , operating as Korean Air, is the national and largest airline of South Korea; its global headquarters are located in Seoul in Korea. Its international passenger division and related subsidiary cargo division together serve 130 cities in 45 countries, while its domestic division serves 20 destinations. It is among the top 20 airlines in the world airlines in terms of passengers carried. Incheon International Airport serves as Korean Air's international hub. Korean Air also maintains a satellite headquarters campus at Incheon International Airport, located 30 minutes away from South Korea's capital, Seoul.
Korean Air's main global headquarters campus and its Global Operations Center are located in Gonghang-dong, Gangseo-gu in Seoul. Korean Air also maintains a domestic office campus at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. Korean Air's lesser domestic superhubs are based at Jeju International Airport and Gimhae International Airport, Busan.. The maintenance facilities are located in Gimhae International Airport.
History
Korean Air was founded by the South Korean Government in 1962 as Korean Air Lines to replace Korean National Airlines (founded in 1948). On 1 March 1969 the Hanjin Transport Group took control of the fledgling airline. Long-haul freight operations were introduced on 26 April 1971 followed by passenger services to Los Angeles on 19 April 1972.
International flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Los Angeles were flown with Boeing 707s until the introduction of Boeing 747 in 1973. In 1973, KAL introduced Boeing 747s on their Pacific routes and started a European service to Paris using the 707 and DC-10. In 1975 KAL became one of Airbus's first Asian customers with the purchase of three A300s, which were put into immediate service on Asian routes.
A blue-top, silver and redesigned livery with a new corporate "Korean Air" logo featuring an accented, stylized "taegukki" design was introduced on 1 March 1984 and the airline's name changed to Korean Air from Korean Air Lines. This livery was introduced on its Fokker F28s. It was designed in cooperation between Korean Air and Boeing. In 1990s Korean Air became the first airline to use the new MD-11 to supplement its new fleet of Boeing 747-400s. However, MD-11 did not meet the set performance and they were converted to freighters (in addition to 747 freighters).
In 1998, an economic recession hit South Korea, which resulted in large reductions in flights and destinations. In 2000, South Korea recovered and Korean Air expanded its global destination network, adding gateways from its hub at Incheon International Airport.
Korean Air flies to the most US gateway destinations of any Asian carrier (14 cities in the 50 states and territories).
Korean Air owns 25% of Okay Airways, a Tianjin, PRC-based airline. As of 2007, Korean Air is in negotiations to open its China hub in Beijing or Shanghai by the end of 2008.
The airline has 16,623 employees (at March 2007). On June 5, 2007, Korean Air said that it would create a new low-cost carrier in Korea to compete with Korea's super-high speed railway network system named KTX which offers cheaper fares and less stringent security procedures. Korean Air's low-cost subsidiary is Jin Air, which started its scheduled passenger service from Seoul to Jeju in 17th July 2008. Korean Air announced that some of its B737s and A300s will be given to Jin air.
Slogans
From past to present: "Welcome to my World," "The Spirit of Korea is in the Air,"
1990's: "Beyond your imagination," Current: "Excellence in Flight"
While "Welcome to my World" was in use, when the planes took off and landed, they would play Elvis Presley's song "Welcome to my World."
Destinations
Korean Air also fly charters to Kuwait for Korean troops serving in Iraq.
Fleet
Passenger
The Korean Air passenger fleet consists of the following aircraft as of February 2009:
Korean Air Narrowbodied Fleet | Aircraft | Total | Passengers
(Prestige*/Economy) | Routes | Notes |
|---|
| Boeing 737-700 | (1 order) | Used for BBJ | | | Boeing 737-800 | 13 | 149 (8/141)
164 (8/156)
170 (8/162) | Domestic/International short-medium haul
China, Southeast Asia | 3 Aircrafts were moved to KE Subsidiary - Jin Air | | Boeing 737-900 | 16 | 188 (8/180) | Domestic/International short-medium haul
China, Japan, Southeast Asia | | | Boeing 737-900ER | (4 orders) | ??? (?/???) | Domestic/International short-medium haul
China, Japan | | |
Korean Air Widebodied Fleet | Aircraft | Total | Passengers
(First*/Prestige*/Economy) | Routes | Notes |
|---|
| Airbus A300-600R | 8 | 266 (24/242)
276 (24/252) | Domestic/International short-medium haul
Japan, China, Southeast Asia | To be phased out
Replacement aircraft: Boeing 787-8
KE subsidiary Jin Air will likely receive two or more of them. | | Airbus A330-200 | 3 (6 on order) | 256 (6/18/232) | International long haul
Egypt (Cairo), Europe (Amsterdam, Madrid, Zurich, St.Petersburg(Seasonal)), Fiji (Nadi), Australia (Melbourne) | | Airbus A330-300 | 16 | 296 (12/28/256) | International short-medium haul (Includes high-capacity short haul)
Australia (Brisbane, off-peak Sydney, seasonal to Cairns), Japan (Fukuoka, Sapporo, Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya), China (Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Hong Kong),
Mongolia, India (Mumbai), Southeast Asia (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City) and Middle East (Istanbul, Dubai), Domestic |
In summer peak period or big holidays(such as Seol-nal) A330s operate domestic high-capacity routes. | | Airbus A380-800 | (10 orders) | Not specified | International long haul
North America (LA, NYC, Atlanta)
Europe (Paris, Frankfurt, London) High-capacity short haul
Tokyo (NRT, GMP-HND Shuttle), Bangkok, Manila | Debut : 2010~2014 Replacing : Boeing 747-400 | | Boeing 747-400 | 21 | Cosmo Sleeper
New Interior
333(10/61/262)
335(12/61/262) Old Haul
384 (16/58/310) | International long haul
LAX(All services except flights via Tokyo or for São Paulo), New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Paris, London, Washington D.C., Honolulu, Frankfurt, Milan-Malpensa (from 29 march 2009), Rome-Fiumicino (from 29 march 2009), Toronto, Prague (Peak), Vancouver (Summer Peak), Guam (Peak), Sydney(Winter Peak), Auckland(Winter Peak) High-capacity short haul
Tokyo(NRT, Gimpo-Haneda Shuttle), Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, Phuket, Jeju(Summer Peak) | Replacement Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER, A380-800 | | Boeing 747-400 Combi | 1 | 284 (0/48/236) | International medium-long haul
Seoul-Incheon to Tel-Aviv
and other routes | Frequently used on flights from Seoul-Incheon to Tel Aviv or Hong Kong.
When B777-300ER come to KE, this one will be out of passenger service alike other B747-400s. | | Boeing 777-200ER | 18 | Cosmo Sleeper
New Interior
261(8/28/225) Old Interior
301(12/28/261) | International long haul
North America (Las Vegas, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver) Latin America (São Paulo - Via Los Angeles) Oceania(Sydney, Auckland)
Europe (Milan (until 25 march 2009), Rome (until 27 march 2009), Munich, Vienna, Prague (Shoulder Season), Zurich)
High-capacity short haul
China (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong),
Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Busan-Tokyo(Peak)),
Central Asia (Tashkent)
Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Phuket, Kathmandu, Manila) | | Boeing 777-300 | 4 | 376 (12/28/336) | High-capacity short-medium haul
Southeast Asia, China and Japan, Singapore, Manila | | | Boeing 777-300ER | (11 orders)
(4 options) | 291 (8/56/227) | International long haul | Replacing: Boeing 747-400
Entry into service : June 2009 (Seoul-Bangkok) | | Boeing 787-8 | (10 orders)
(10 options) | | International long haul with low demand - Oceania or International hauls from Busan or Jeju | Entry into service: 2009
Replacing: Airbus A300-600, A330-200/300
Because of delivery delays, the debut of this aircraft may be delayed - maybe after 2009. | |
- Prestige class (business) is offered on domestic short haul. First class and Prestige class is offered on most international flights with some offering only Prestige class
Cargo
The Korean Air Cargo fleet consists of the following aircraft as of December 2008:
The average age of the Korean Air fleet is 8.8 years as of March 2008:
Korean Air operates 102 passenger aircraft, and 24 cargo aircraft, for a total of 126 planes as of November 30, 2007:
On 31 May 2005 Korean Air signed an agreement for an additional order for a Boeing 747-400ERF, converting an option taken out in 2004, bringing total Korean Air orders for the aircraft to seven. The airline is also ordering Boeing 747-8 Freighter and Boeing 777 Freighter to expand their fleet.
On 29 December 2006 Korean Air has announced that it will convert all passenger Boeing 747-400 fleet to freighters to expand its fleet.
Korean Air Cargo has been ranked the world's top commercial airline cargo operation by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for two consecutive years (2004~2005), as measured by international (not domestic) FTKs. During 2005, Korean Air recorded 7.982 billion international FTK, topping the charts.
On 3 February 2009 Korean Air orders additional 2 Airbus A380's bringing its total aircraft order to 10. The two additional planes would be delivered in May and June 2014.
Retired
Cabin
In 2005, Korean Air invested more than 1 billion dollars to bring in new products and services. New products include sleeper seats for First and Business Class, as well as personal In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) devices. These products are only available in newly delivered Boeing 777-200ER aircraft as well as select Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The new cabin will gradually be added to all long haul aircraft. Korean Air operates "Ladies Only" lavatories: only women on board are allowed to use them.
As of June 27, 2007, Korean Air's new cabin is available on non-stop flights to and from Los Angeles*, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Guam, Beijing, Shanghai, Paris, Frankfurt, London, and Manila.
- Note: the flight to Los Angeles via Tokyo does not have the new cabin.
First Class - Kosmo Sleeper Seat
Korean Air's new first class offers passengers a "Kosmo Sleeper Seat" that can recline to 180 degrees. Custom made for Korean Air, the new fabric seat is 30 inches wide and is equipped with privacy partitions and AVOD (Audio Video On Demand) entertainment. Also, lumbar massage, movable side armrests, a buddy seat (auxiliary seat) and individual reading lights are added to the new seat.
Business Class - Prestige Plus Seat
The new "Prestige Plus Seat" is manufactured by B/E Aerospace and reclines to 170 degrees. The seat comes with individual reading lights, lumbar massage, privacy partitions and AVOD (Audio Visual On Demand) entertainment.
Economy Class
Manufactured by Weber, Korean Air's new economy class features a slim-line design. Every seat is equipped with adjustable headrests, footrests, a cup holder and an 8.4" personal screen that features AVOD entertainment.
Experience
In-flight entertainment
All classes in newly retrofitted/ delivered aircraft is equipped with personal LCD touch-screens featuring AVOD (Audio Visual On Demand). The system is named SKY and manufactured by Thales Avionics. Offerings include a selection of over forty newly released movies, 60 short programs, over four thousand songs on 300 CDs and ten latest games. Selections also include channels dedicated exclusively to programming on contemporary Korean pop culture, music and the latest Korean movies and dramas released by major Korea broadcasting networks.
All selections are available to all passengers in various passengers' languages. Unique to the SKY system, the interactive feature allows passengers to use a "My Music" feature to customize a personal jukebox to listen to for the duration of the flight. Korean Air will roll-out enhanced video and audiovisual services through this system to all newly acquired aircraft, as it will be one of the first Asian carriers to receive the Airbus 380.
Interior
A new color scheme of aircraft seats was introduced. Celadon green, a color that is characteristic to Korea, has been incorporated as the primary dominant colors to all First Class, Business Class and Prestige Class seats.
In addition, dark blue and mocha chocolate was used for economy class seats. Korean Air engineers and customer service focus groups' conclusions and input were sought in also integrating ochre, aquamarine and various tones of blue in all newly acquired aircraft.
Dining
Korean Air is introducing tableware designed by Kwangjuyo, a Korean ceramics and dining ware boutique manufacturer. The tableware will be supplemented by Wedgwood flatware.
Kwangjuyo flatware with the Korean Air logo will feature traditional Korean brushwork. The flatware will feature images from an ancient Koguryo painting called "Four Seasons of White Forsythia." These images will be applied to all First Class and selected Business Class tableware. Prestige Class tableware will have images from another famous Korean painting - "Four Seasons of a Willow."
Korean Air has also commissioned Kwangjuyo to design Economy Class tableware. This tableware will incorporate traditional Korean shapes and this roll-out is scheduled to be completed in late 2007.
Korean Air offers a variety of Korean meals in-flight, available in all classes. Bibimbap (Assorted vegetables accompanied with steamed rice, Korean spicy sauce red-pepper paste known as Kochujang and sesame oil), a Mercury Award winner in 1997, is the airline's signature offering. It has a few variations, including beef bibimbap and salmon bibimbap.
In 2006, Bibim Noodles (Spicy Korean Noodles), a newly introduced in-flight meal that was adopted in the in-flight menu as a second meal option on long haul flights, won the Mercury Award, making this the second time that Korean Air won this award. Vegetarian Korean meals are on menus on out-bound destinations in Korean Air's network.
Other than Bibimbap and Bibim Noodles, Korean porridge (jook), bulgogi and galbi are also available. Korean traditional court cuisine has been launched in First Class, Business Class, Prestige Class and Premium Economy classes due to Korea's popular culture being the focus of hallyu. Japanese style kaiseki meals are offered to all Japanese destinations.
SKYPASS
SKYPASS is the frequent flyer program of Korean Air. "SKYPASS" also refers to the blue card which Korean Air frequent flyers are given. SKYPASS's motto is "Beyond your Imagination," which is also printed on the card. The program's elite levels are comparable to those of other airlines' frequent flyer programs, requiring members to fly a certain number of miles per two-year cycle. Qualification for the highest level is based on lifetime flight miles, requiring a customer to fly 1 million miles. Membership in this level is granted for life.
Codeshare agreements
Korean Air has codeshare agreements with the following airlines as of July 2007:
Korean Air is a founding partner airline in SkyTeam, the world's second largest airline alliance.
Korean Air is an airline partner of Skywards, the frequent flyer program for Emirates Airline. Skywards members can earn miles for flying Korean Air and can redeem miles for free flights.
Aerospace research and manufacturing
Korean Air is also involved in aerospace research and manufacturing. The division, known as the Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD), manufactures licensed versions of the MD 500 and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the F-5E/F Tiger II fighter aircraft, the aft fuselage and wings for the KF-16 fighter aircraft manufactured by Korean Aerospace Industries, and parts for various commercial aircraft including the Boeing 737, 747, 777, and the Airbus A330, and A380. KAA also provides aircraft maintenance support for the United States Department of Defense in Asia and maintains a research division with focuses on launch vehicle, satellite, commercial and military aircraft, helicopter, and simulation systems.
Incidents and accidents
Since 1970 it has written off sixteen aircraft in serious incidents and accidents with the loss of over 700 lives.
Korean Air Lines Flight 007, also known as KAL 007, was a Korean Air Lines civilian airliner shot down by Soviet jet interceptors on September 1, 1983 just west of Sakhalin island. 269 passengers and crew, including US congressman Lawrence McDonald, were aboard KAL 007; there were no known survivors.
The last fatal passenger incident, as of 2008, was the Korean Air Flight 801 crash in 1997. The latest crew fatality was flight 8509 in December 1999.
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