In March 2024, Korean Air placed an order for up to 33 Airbus A350s, including six A350-900s and 27 A350-1000s. Well under a year later, the first of these aircraft has joined the fleet, and has entered international commercial service.
In this post:
Korean Air’s first Airbus A350s are now flying
At the end of December 2024, Korean Air took delivery of its first two Airbus A350-900s. The planes flew from Toulouse (TLS) to South Korea, and have the registration codes HL8597 and HL8598.
Up until now, they’ve been flying domestically, but they’re now starting short haul international flights, from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Fukuoka (FUK) and Osaka Kansai (KIX). As of March 2025, the planes will start flying to Taipei (TPE), and then as of later in 2025, they’ll start long haul service, flying to destinations like Madrid (MAD) and Rome (FCO).
Keep in mind that Korean Air recently finalized its acquisition of Asiana. Korean Air’s decision to order just six A350-900s might seem random, but it makes more sense in the context of the combined fleet of Korean Air and Asiana. Asiana has a fleet of 15 A350-900s, with an additional 15 A350-900s on order. So eventually, the combined airline will have one of the biggest A350 fleets in the world, with over 60 of these jets.
Presumably both Korean Air and Asiana are looking to use their A350-900s to replace their aging 777-200ERs. Meanwhile the fleet of A350-1000s will be used as new flagship aircraft for the airline group, though it’ll be some time before they’re delivered.
What to expect onboard Korean Air’s Airbus A350s
Korean Air recently introduced a new business class product, in the form of Prestige Suites 2.0. This debuted on the Boeing 787-10, which I had the chance to review recently. So, you’d expect that Korean Air’s newly delivered A350s will feature this new product as well, right? Well, no…
Korean Air’s first two A350-900s are configured with 311 seats, including 28 business class seats and 283 economy class seats. This exactly matches Asiana’s A350-900 layout, with business class being Asiana’s typical staggered layout, marketed as “Business Smartium.”
The only things that have changed compared to Asiana are the fabrics used, with the seats having Korean Air’s new branding, rather than Asiana’s branding.
On the one hand, I guess this is the most efficient approach to take, since it matches the existing A350-900 fleet. On the other hand, it’s a shame to take delivery of brand new aircraft featuring products that are already a bit outdated.
For that matter, Korean Air has been wanting to introduce premium economy, yet hasn’t actually installed that on any newly delivered jets yet. I guess this partly reflects the huge supply chain delays we’ve seen with so many seat manufacturers.
Bottom line
Korean Air has just started flying the first Airbus A350 in its own colors internationally. This is a new aircraft type for the airline, though with Asiana now being owned by Korean Air, that fleet will be getting much bigger. This plane probably isn’t too much to get excited about, though I am very much looking forward to seeing what Korean Air’s A350-1000s are like.
What do you make of Korean Air’s new Airbus A350-900s?
I do not understand your arithmetic. You stated:
"Korean Air’s decision to order just six A350-900s might seem random, but it makes more sense in the context of the combined fleet of Korean Air and Asiana. Asiana has a fleet of 15 A350-900s, with an additional 15 A350-900s on order. So eventually, the combined airline will have one of the biggest A350 fleets in the world, with over 60 of these jets."
6+15+15 = 36.
Where did you get 60 from?
+ 27 A35K = 63 A350 ?
"Combined Airline"
Asiana will eventually have 30 A350-900
Korean air will have 6 A350-900
And 27 A350-1000
The complete A350 are over 60, 63 Airplane to be exact.
I truly wish KE would get a new livery. This one is LONG in the teeth.
it really is not surprising that KE accepted the early OZ A350s under the merger configured as OZ specified.
It takes years to place interior equipment orders and get it delivered, either for after market overhauls or for new aircraft installation.
At some point, KE will standardize its 350-900 interiors.
I am once again begging Korean Air to finish their interior with some nicer colors
Nothing wrong with the hard product; at least it faces forward (not diagonal - herringbone or backwards), everyone has aisle access, couples can sit close together and similar seats are still featured on Emirates, ANA and Singapore regional 787s.
Bloomberg its reporting that Cathay Pacific wants to buy A350 or 787.
Ugh, the Stella Solstis. Not a good seat at all.
Stelia Solstys is great seat.
Now if only KE could get wifi...
Apparently these frames are NTU units from Asiana, and Korean has a separate order for their own A350s; I can see a scenario where their own separate order is fitted with their own 2.0 suites while these ex-OZ frames get retrofitted later on.
Exactly! KAL just didn't have time to order a new seat for A359.
Nowadays, airlines should order the seats at least 3 years in advance given the supply chain issues, but it was less than a year before delivery when KAL decided to take the A359s made for Asiana.