In all my years of following the airline industry, this is the first time I ever recall seeing something like this.
In this post:
Korean Air backtracks on Boeing 777 retrofit plans
In early August 2025, I covered how Korean Air announced plans to reconfigure 11 of its Boeing 777-300ERs, as part of a $216 million cabin overhaul program. With this, we were supposed to see major changes across cabins.
Korean Air was planning to remove the first class cabin, introduce a new business class product, add premium economy seats for the first time, and introduce a denser economy product. When it comes to economy, the plan was to go from a 3-3-3 configuration, to a 3-4-3 configuration (with the latter being the industry standard nowadays, and the former being exceptionally generous).
Korean Air has already retrofitted its first 777, but has now decided to scrap the economy retrofit for the rest of the fleet. The reason? Well, the airline received a lot of criticism from consumers for wanting to move to a tighter economy product.
It’s not just consumers who criticized the airline, though. Keep in mind that Korean Air recently completed its acquisition of Asiana, and the deal faced a lot of regulatory scrutiny. Korea’s government wanted to ensure that competition in the aviation sector remained strong, with one of the two full service global carriers in the country eliminated.
Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) warned that plans to introduce tighter seats in economy could violate conditions tied to Korean Air’s merger with Asiana, which included limits on fare increases, seat reductions, and changes to the frequent flyer program, in order to protect service quality. According to FTC Chair nominee Ju Biung-ghi:
“We will look not only at reduced seat dimensions, but also at broader concerns affecting consumer welfare. Should any breach of the corrective conditions be identified, a strong regulatory response will be necessary.”
So Korean Air has decided to maintain the 3-4-3 layout in economy on the one plane that has already been reconfigured, but then plans to retain the 3-3-3 layout on the remaining 10 planes that were supposed to be reconfigured. However, those planes will still be getting the remaining cabin overhauls, including new premium economy and business class.
I’m not even sure what to make of this reversal?
First of all, what a messy situation this is for Korean Air. New airplane seats have to be ordered a long time in advance, and presumably many of the tighter seats the airline was supposed to install have already been manufactured. What happens with those now? Can they be used on a different aircraft, can they be resold to another airline, or what?
Next, I’m confused whether moving to a tighter economy product actually violates the conditions the airline agreed to, or if Korean Air just wants to avoid bad press and scrutiny, given that the merger was just recently approved.
Korean Air has agreed to maintain its service quality through 2034, though specifically on 40 key routes where competition was a concern. Korean Air was going to then deploy these reconfigured 777s specifically on routes other than those 40, for this exact reason. In early August, a Korean Air spokesperson shared the following:
“We will comply with the corrective measures imposed by the Fair Trade Commission upon the merger. We are considering deploying the renewed aircraft on routes other than those subject to corrective measures among a total of 96 routes.”
So yeah, I’m not sure why exactly the change of heart now? Korean Air has always been one of the more egalitarian Asian carriers out there. The carrier’s first and business class have been uncompetitive compared to the region’s top carriers, while its economy product has been superior. The 777s currently have a 3-3-3 configuration and 33″ of pitch, which is basically unheard of. I guess this is ultimately great news for consumers, unusual of a development as this may be.
Bottom line
Korean Air was planning on introducing tighter economy seats on a subfleet of its Boeing 777s, as part of a larger cabin overhaul project. The airline received quite a bit of backlash over these planned changes, and I guess the company ultimately gave in.
While the first plane has already been reconfigured, Korean Air has now scrapped plans to reconfigure its remaining 777s with tighter economy seats. Korean Air had to make quite a few concessions as part of its takeover of Asiana, but it seemed like these changes wouldn’t have violated that… but now there’s concern that they would’ve?
What do you make of Delta’s A350-1000s, the strength of the Seoul Incheon hub, and Delta’s superior revenue performance? What do you make of Korean Air backtracking on its Boeing 777 retrofit plans?
Hooray! Great news and rare win (however short-lived it may be) for those of us consumers who fly coach/economy.
Very disappointed with Korea FTC.
The title/content of this article is misleading/incorrect, as the FTC didn't "threaten" the airline per se. The candidate for the new FTC chair stated he will investigate the backlash KE received due to introducing 3-4-3, but there were no "threats".
Besides, KE hasn't scrapped plans to introduce Premium Economy seats. They aren't pushing forward with 3-4-3 but still aim to have PE during the retrofitting process.
It's also worth noting that KE is already in hot water due to various issues involving the KE-OZ merger, because the airline has yet to properly comply with the requirements and the FTC is closely monitoring the process, which includes seeking feedback on their plans for compliance from flyers, shareholders, etc.
Not surprised in the slightest. Big businesses in Korea are big because they have been given government perks if not outright subsidies to become big. In return, they are expected to do what the government says. No doubt, the shrinkage of space in economy pissed people off, and this was low hanging fruit for the government to be seen as correcting the concerns of the people.
Given that after the merger KE is essentially the only international FSC in South Korea, the fact that the Korean FTC wanted to look into customer concerns isn't surprising.
JAL's 777-300ER has 3-3-3 with 34 inch pitch, their 787s for international use 2-4-2 with 34 inch pitch.
Good on Korean to stick with a comfortable layout.
Thai, Singapore, and Turkish also have 3-3-3 on their 777-300ER
They're going to need to offer a better seat and better soft product for premium economy as a result of the same layout unless they stick to 2-4-2 layout in premium economy as many EU airlines do. If they price it properly they could have a lot of traffic between Asia and the US, but many are unwilling to pay the high prices for business class these days and would pay for Premium.
Although Korean people are notably smaller in all dimensions than North Americans or Europeans, 3-4-3 is still a really unpleasantly tight seating arrangement. Glad they were forced to walk it back. Although it's really strange to operate a single aircraft with a different seating arrangement from the other 10.
You’ve not been to South Korea presumably… many young generation men are tall and muscular, at least compared to neighboring countries.
Although Korean people are notably smaller in all dimensions than North Americans or Europeans, 3-4-3 is still a really unpleasantly tight seating arrangement. Glad they were forced to walk it back. Although it's really strange to operate a single aircraft with a different seating arrangement from the other 10.
Wonder if Korean was trying to accentuate the difference between economy and new premium economy by adding the 4th middle row sear? If both economy and premium economy are 3,3,3 maybe their consumers would be less willing to shell out for PE for a couple of inches of legroom.
Premium economy on a 777 is never 3-3-3. It's 2-4-2 on pretty much every airline.
@Ben
"Next, I’m confused whether moving to a tighter economy product actually violates the conditions the airline agreed to...."
Based on what I read on a Korean article translated to English, the violation will come from adding premium economy as those will cost extra than regular economy. Korean promised to maintain service, total seat count, and current price on "40 key routes". Adding premium economy will see fare increases (at least average fares)
Moving...
@Ben
"Next, I’m confused whether moving to a tighter economy product actually violates the conditions the airline agreed to...."
Based on what I read on a Korean article translated to English, the violation will come from adding premium economy as those will cost extra than regular economy. Korean promised to maintain service, total seat count, and current price on "40 key routes". Adding premium economy will see fare increases (at least average fares)
Moving to 3-4-3 wasn't mentioned as a violation but they're backtracking because of heavy backlash and Criticism from Koreans (They did make several attempts to educate people that it's basically the same seat on the B787 that will go on board the B777)
Korean could sell these tighter seats to Lufthansa for B748 retrofit. The current LH economy in 748 is awful, awful, awful.
Why are you always arguing against the interest of your readers? This is a win for normal people. celebrate it as such.
I'm not sure that most of Ben's readership travels "main cabin" on long sectors. That's kinda the point of the whole exercise.
Valid. Ben's premise is points and miles use for luxury travel for those of us (myself included) who otherwise couldn't afford the experience. Nonetheless, what does it hurt to cheer when people flying coach get a win as well?
You are 100% correct!
Ben and these twits never pay for their tickets. Most are screwing it out of their idiot employers.
Another commenter has already cross-checked the Korean FTC part of this post, so I followed their lead and found Korean media reports on this. I mentioned it in another comment but how the writer framed the issue in this post is either misleading or incorrect, perhaps owing to language barriers, inaccurate translations, etc.
The problem is, the whole retrofit including the business and premium economy seats will be delayed at least for a couple years as well.
You can't have multiple IFE systems in an aircraft. The whole cabins should share the same IFE system, so KE should order new 3-3-3 EC seats with a compatible IFE.
They can't just have new BC and PY installed with old 3-3-3 EC in the back. It's either all new or all old.
3-3-3 is better for customers so I'll take it.
Won't you have to place a completely new order for seats as you can't just remove a seat since it's already welded on to the frame when getting them?
If you need more seats, the best thing you can do after going 10ab would be reducing pitch from what they have now which is way better than average to 32" which is industry standard.
"What do you make of Delta’s A350-1000s, the strength of the Seoul Incheon hub, and Delta’s superior revenue performance?What do you make of Korean Air backtracking on its Boeing 777 retrofit plans?"LMFAO
the irony is that one report says that Air India is returning the 777-200LRs that it leased to Delta.
Ironically, those LRs have 9 abreast seating, also largely unheard of but not 33 inch pitch.
DL is as likely to put those LRs back in service as they are to bring back the L1011s so maybe the new seats KE ordered will be put on the DL planes and remarketed to someone else.... or...
the irony is that one report says that Air India is returning the 777-200LRs that it leased to Delta.
Ironically, those LRs have 9 abreast seating, also largely unheard of but not 33 inch pitch.
DL is as likely to put those LRs back in service as they are to bring back the L1011s so maybe the new seats KE ordered will be put on the DL planes and remarketed to someone else.... or turned into freighters.
and the KE ICN hub is on its way to being the largest and strongest in Asia now.
and, yes, DL's 35Ks will grace ICN when Airbus decides to deliver them.
Because you know those comments have a chance of showing up sooner or later lol
[Confused Anime Guy Butterfly Meme] "Is this...PERFORMANCE ART?"
Government-approved monopoly complies with government pressure after constituent backlash. Pretty straightforward
An excellent example to regulators elsewhere.
And of management for actually listening to complaints to reverse a decision rather than ploughin on regardless.
Really nonstop Delta articles and you can't resist adding another comment about Delta at the bottom?
Oh, come on Eskimo, it was truly hysterically funny!
The joke has run its course, at some point it gets tired
Can’t be as tired as you commenting multiple times on every article. ;)
Yes, I do and I am allowed to! Because I am totally normal and not psychotic!!
Go touch grass.
That's exactly what a lunatic would say, Eskimo.
@Eskimo.
Let's share this username until Ben sends one of us on vacation.
Or maybe I should start posting with your name?
Post with my name please! We have so many alts, feel free to choose any of them!
I read T'way Air is rebranding as Trinity Airways and is ditching the LCC model to become a "hybrid airline", will be interesting to see how they evolve and become a more direct competitor, perhaps filling the void of Asiana?
OK, keep 3-3-3 but knock the pitch back to 29" to squeeze extra rows in. A perfect compromise.
Hahaha no one is gonna fly overseas 29 inch pitch
Except the majority of Economy pax who have no idea what aircraft type they are booking themselves on.
And that’s the irony, I would much rather have the extra few inches of pitch then 3-3-3. 1 less seat per row is a lot that could be allocated elsewhere.
You should have been born shorter then