Korean Air launches new premium economy: Does it live up to the brand promise?
August 6, 2025
Korean Air is launching Premium Class, a premium economy product, on flights on short- and mid-haul routes from mid-September. The product is launching aboard its newly retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, and will be the first time a Korean carrier has had this cabin class.
The airline invested approximately KRW 300 billion ($216 million) in redesigned cabins for 11 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. To make room for the new Premium Class, Korean removed the previous first class cabin from these planes.
Korean Air says the new cabin class will offer passengers ~50% more room than its economy seats. But how does it compare to the competition?
New Korean Air Premium Class features more room and larger in-flight entertainment screens
Korean Air’s new Boeing 777-300ER Premium Class addresses the most competitive passenger experience features:
- 40 seats in a 2-4-2 layout
- Comfort features: Leg and footrests, ergonomic headrests, wing-shaped sides for enhanced privacy
- Seat width: 19.5”
- Recline: 130º (8”-9”)
- Pitch: 39”- 41”
- IFE: 15.6” 4K resolution screens
This is a highly competitive product compared with the offering from other major players in the market on the same aircraft type.
Cathay Pacific’s 777-300ER premium economy has a larger cabin, with 48 Recaro R5 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. Seat features and width are the same as Korean’s, but the recline is quite a lot less, at just 6 inches.
Japan Airlines Sky Premium on the 777-300ER has 40 seats in the cabin. Its seat width is marginally smaller at 18.9 inches, and the fixed shell recline goes to 7 inches, still not close to the 8-9 inch recline of Korean’s new premium economy. Notably, the IFE screen is significantly smaller, at 12.1 inches compared with Korean’s 15.6 inches.
The Emirates premium economy product is widely regarded as one of the best in the sky. But even this beautiful iteration of the mid-range cabin is rivalled by Korean Air’s concept.
While Emirates wins on the intimacy of the cabin, with only 24 seats on the 777-300ER, Korean trumps its IFE offering with those huge 15.6-inch screens. Seat width is identical on both carriers, although Korean’s maximum recline and pitch are just ahead of Emirates.
Korean Air’s new premium economy doesn’t break any rulebooks, but it’s a solid offering that competes aggressively with more established products.
Korean Air ensures its new Premium Class is an affordable alternative to economy
As the first Korean airline to offer the cabin class, passengers will be treated to a significant upgrade over the regular economy product. But Korean Air wants the upgrade to be affordable too, and says its premium economy seats will be sold “generally around 110% of normal Economy fares.”
International Premium Class passengers will enjoy a refined single-tray meal service with a main course, appetiser, and dessert from Prestige Class. The tableware is Armani/Casa, and passengers can drink the same beverages as in Prestige Class, including wine, coffee, and tea.
Also included in Premium Class are priority ground services like Morning Calm check-in, priority baggage handling, and Sky Priority boarding.
An entirely redesigned Boeing 777-300ER experience
The airline’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet has received a complete interior overhaul. Designed to reflect Korean Air’s new branding, the updated cabins feature a minimalist, modern ambience.
Korean Air will introduce new seat options throughout, including “Prestige Suites 2.0” in a 1-2-1 configuration, and a “New Economy” seat in a 3-4-3 configuration.
Passengers will also find Wi-Fi access and an upgraded in-flight entertainment system in every cabin.
“We’re committed to bringing the fully redesigned Boeing 777-300ER and new Premium Class to as many customers as possible,” said a Korean Air representative. “This fleet upgrade has been in progress since 2018 and, after delays due to the pandemic, we’re proud to now offer an elevated travel experience that meets our passengers’ evolving needs.”
Combining passenger comfort features onboard with VIP services on the ground makes Korean Air’s new Premium Class cabin an attractive offering. It is not as lavish-looking as the same cabin of some competitors, but it matches or bests them in terms of seat metrics. The basic grey design is a bit uninspired, but it could avoid certification delays, ensuring the refurbishment program stays on track for completion by 2026.
