Skip to content
Flight Deals

Korean Air

South Korea's flag carrier, flying from Seoul Incheon

  • South KoreaCountry
  • KEIATA Code
  • KALICAO Code
  • SkyTeamAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About Korean Air

Korean Air is South Korea’s flag carrier and a SkyTeam founder, flying from Seoul Incheon to more than 100 cities in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East. Asiana Airlines fully merges into Korean Air on 17 December 2026, and since January 2026 power banks cannot be used on Korean airlines. This guide covers the merger dates, baggage, the power bank ban, Incheon tips, SKYPASS and how Korean Air compares with JAL and ANA.

Korean Air took its current name in 1969, when the Hanjin Group took over the state-owned Korean National Airlines. It is based in Seoul, was a founding member of SkyTeam in 2000 and is one of the world’s largest cargo airlines.

Korean Air flights to Seoul
Photo: Ethan Yoo / Unsplash

The Asiana Merger: Key Dates

Korean Air took control of Asiana Airlines in December 2024. The full merger completes in December 2026, when the Asiana brand disappears.

DateWhat happens
15 October 2026Last day to earn Star Alliance miles (such as Aeroplan) on Asiana flights
16 December 2026Asiana leaves Star Alliance at 23:59 Korea time
17 December 2026Asiana fully merges into Korean Air
  • Asiana Club miles earned on Asiana flights convert 1:1 into SKYPASS; miles from Asiana partners convert at 1:0.82.
  • Converted miles are kept for 10 years from the merger date under their original expiry rules.
  • Asiana Club Diamond Plus and Platinum members move to a new SKYPASS tier, Morning Calm Select.

If you hold an Asiana ticket for travel after 17 December, it will be operated by Korean Air. Check your booking and terminal before you fly.

Korea’s Power Bank Ban

Since 26 January 2026, Korean Air, Asiana, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul ban power bank use on all their flights:

  • You may not use a power bank to charge phones, tablets, laptops or cameras during the flight.
  • Keep power banks within reach: on you, in the seat pocket or under the seat in front. They may never go in the overhead bins.
  • Cover exposed metal ports with electrical tape, or put each power bank in its own plastic bag or pouch.
  • Existing capacity and quantity limits still apply, and power banks are banned from checked bags.

Check-In at Incheon

Online check-in is available on the website and app. Korean Air uses Incheon Terminal 2, which also handles other SkyTeam airlines. As Asiana flights move across, check your terminal on your booking.

Allow at least two and a half hours for international departures, more during Chuseok and Lunar New Year.

Families and Special Assistance

Bassinets can be requested on long-haul flights, and infants under two travel on an adult’s lap. Request wheelchairs and other special assistance in advance.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Korea

Cheap Korean Air flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Avoid Chuseok and Lunar New Year, the busiest travel weeks.
  • Use Jin Air for short regional hops and Korean Air for long-haul.
  • Check Asiana bookings: after 17 December 2026 they become Korean Air flights.
  • Book long-haul summer flights early.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see Korean Air next to JAL, ANA and others.

Korean Air vs Japan Airlines vs ANA

All three are premium North Asian airlines with generous Economy carry-on allowances.

Korean AirJapan AirlinesANA
HubSeoul IncheonTokyoTokyo
AllianceSkyTeamoneworldStar Alliance
Economy carry-on10 kg10 kg10 kg
Economy checked bags1 × 23 kg (2 to the Americas)Usually 2 × 23 kg0–2 × 23 kg by fare
Power banksNo use on board, not in bins2, no charging on board2, no charging on board
Low-cost sisterJin AirZIPAIRPeach

See our Japan Airlines guide and ANA guide to compare.

Arriving in Seoul

Incheon International Airport is linked to Seoul by the AREX express train and airport limousine buses, and taxis are available.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is Korean Air a Good Airline?

Yes. Korean Air offers excellent service, a 10 kg carry-on in Economy, comfortable Prestige seats and SkyTeam connections. After the Asiana merger it will run one of Asia’s largest networks.

For more options, see our Asiana Airlines guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against International Airport Review on the power bank ban and Prince of Travel on the merger timeline. Rules change, so check the official Korean Air website before you travel.

SkyTeam & Airline Partnerships

Korean Air is a founding member of SkyTeam (2000). You can connect in Seoul onto partners such as Delta, Air France, KLM and Vietnam Airlines on one ticket and earn SKYPASS miles across the alliance.

Learn more about SkyTeam

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

Korean Air runs a trans-Pacific joint venture with Delta, coordinating schedules and fares between the US and Asia. Asiana Airlines, now owned by Korean Air, is being merged into the airline.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) is Korean Air's main hub for international flights. Seoul Gimpo (GMP) handles most domestic flights and some short international routes.

Popular Korean Air Routes

Korean Air's busiest routes link Seoul with Tokyo, Osaka and Bangkok, Gimpo with Jeju, and Incheon with Los Angeles, New York and Paris. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

Korean Air Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Korean Air sells several Economy fare types, from discounted fares with higher fees to standard and flexible fares, plus Prestige Class (business) and First Class. Change and refund fees depend on your fare and on when you change.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any fee for your fare type. For flights to or from the USA, the US 24-hour cancellation rule applies.

  • Discounted Economy Lowest prices and the highest change and refund fees.
  • Standard and flexible Economy Lower fees and more flexibility.
  • Prestige and First Class The most flexible conditions.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • Asiana bookings Tickets already issued remain valid through the merger.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on koreanair.com or the Korean Air app.

Korean Air Seat Selection & Additional Services

You can choose a seat when booking or at check-in, and buy Economy seats with extra legroom on many flights. Prestige Class has lie-flat seats on long-haul aircraft, and First Class has private suites on selected routes.

Korean Air's lounges at Incheon are open to Prestige and First Class passengers and to SKYPASS elite members.

  • Seat selection When booking or at check-in.
  • Extra-legroom seats Available to buy on many flights.
  • Prestige Class Lie-flat seats on long-haul flights.
  • First Class Suites on selected routes.
  • Lounges Open to premium cabins and SKYPASS elites at Incheon.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

Korean Air Baggage Allowance

In Economy you can bring one carry-on bag of up to 10 kg plus one personal item. Prestige and First Class passengers can bring two carry-on bags with a combined weight of up to 18 kg.

On most international routes, Economy includes one 23 kg checked bag, rising to two 23 kg bags on flights to and from the Americas. Prestige Class includes two 32 kg bags and First Class three 32 kg bags. Domestic flights have their own allowance.

  • Carry-on (Economy) 1 bag up to 10 kg plus a personal item.
  • Carry-on (Prestige and First) 2 bags, 18 kg combined.
  • Economy (most international routes) 1 bag of 23 kg.
  • Economy (to/from the Americas) 2 bags of 23 kg each.
  • Prestige Class 2 bags of 32 kg each.
  • First Class 3 bags of 32 kg each.
  • Domestic flights Separate allowance.

SKYPASS: Korean Air Loyalty Programme

SKYPASS is Korean Air's free loyalty programme. You earn miles on Korean Air and SkyTeam flights and with partners, and redeem them for award flights and upgrades. Asiana Club members' miles are being converted to SKYPASS as part of the merger.

Frequent flyers can reach Morning Calm, Morning Calm Premium and Million Miler status, recognised as SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus.

  • Member Free entry level for all members.
  • Morning Calm Priority services and SkyTeam Elite status.
  • Morning Calm Premium Lounge access and SkyTeam Elite Plus status.
  • Million Miler Lifetime status for the most frequent flyers.
  • Asiana Club Miles being converted to SKYPASS.
  • SkyTeam Earn and redeem miles across SkyTeam airlines.
Join or log in on the Korean Air website

Korean Air: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are Korean Air’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is KE. It appears in flight numbers (for example KE 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is KAL, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is Korean Air part of?

It is a member of SkyTeam. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is Korean Air headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

04When was Korean Air founded?

The airline was founded in 1969.

05What are Korean Air’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Seoul (ICN) – Main Hub.

06What is Korean Air’s frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called SKYPASS. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What is Korean Air's carry-on allowance?

In Economy, one carry-on bag of up to 10 kg plus a personal item. Prestige and First Class allow two bags with a combined weight of up to 18 kg.

08How many checked bags does Korean Air Economy include?

One 23 kg bag on most international routes, and two 23 kg bags on flights to and from the Americas.

09Is Asiana Airlines part of Korean Air?

Yes. Korean Air took control of Asiana in December 2024, and Asiana is due to merge fully into Korean Air on 17 December 2026.

Korean Air, its logo and trademarks are the property of Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by Korean Air unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.