Skip to content

Korean Air (KE) Guide

No reviews yet Airline
Flights from Seoul Incheon across Asia and to North America, Europe and Australia, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper Korean Air fares. Ask a question
Claim Flag
In short

Korean Air is the flag carrier of South Korea, based at Incheon International near Seoul. It flies to 120+ cities in Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East, and Incheon is a handy transfer point between Asia and North America. Korean Air is a SkyTeam founding member and runs SKYPASS. Cabins are Economy, Prestige business and First.

Korean Air is South Korea’s flag carrier and largest airline, and since December 2024 the majority owner of Asiana Airlines.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Korean Air. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Korean Air (IATA KE) is the flag carrier of South Korea and the country's largest airline, part of the Hanjin Group and headquartered in Seoul. Its international hub is Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport, and it flies to more than 120 cities in over 40 countries. A founding member of SkyTeam, it suits travellers to Korea and those connecting through Seoul between North America and Asia.

From state airline to Hanjin

Korean Air's history starts with Korean National Airlines, founded in 1946. The government took it over in 1962 and renamed it Korean Air Lines, and on 1 March 1969 the transport group Hanjin bought it. On 1 March 1984 the airline became Korean Air, with a new livery and logo. In 2000 it helped found SkyTeam.

Asiana and the new brand

On 12 December 2024 Korean Air completed its purchase of 63.9 per cent of Asiana Airlines for about 1.5 trillion won. On 11 March 2025 it unveiled its first major rebrand since 1984, and the Asiana brand is due to be absorbed by 2027.

Korean Air also launched a joint venture with Delta Air Lines on 1 May 2018 and bought 10 per cent of Canada's WestJet in 2025. It held 44 per cent of Czech Airlines from 2013 to 2017.

Incheon and Gimpo hubs

Incheon handles international flights and Gimpo is the second Seoul hub, with Busan and Jeju as focus cities. Korean Air serves 13 domestic destinations and flies to Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East. The Delta joint venture links Korean Air's Asian network with Delta's in the United States through Incheon.

Leadership and 2025 financial results

Walter Cho is chairman and chief executive. In 2025 Korean Air reported revenue of US$11.5 billion and net income of US$672.5 million, and it employs about 20,000 people. Shares trade on the Korea Exchange.

Terminal 2 and connecting at Incheon

Korean Air uses Terminal 2 at Incheon. If you are connecting to or from another airline, check which terminal it uses and allow time to transfer between them. Asiana flights are moving into Korean Air's operation as the merger proceeds, so check which terminal your Asiana ticket shows.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Korean Air official website

See the source
  1. Korean Air official website
–/5 No reviews yet
Travelled through Korean Air? Your review helps other travellers.

Good to know

  • Founded1962
  • Other gatewaysGMP / PUS / CJU
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

KE · KAL

IATA · ICAO · callsign “KOREAN AIR”

Every Korean Air flight number begins with KE. Flight-tracking sites and air traffic control use the ICAO code KAL, and the radio callsign is KOREAN AIR.

Key facts

Main hub

Seoul (ICN)

Incheon International

Also flies abroad fromSeoul Gimpo (GMP) · Busan (PUS) · Jeju (CJU)
Seoul airport guide

Network

120+ cities

Asia · North America · Europe · Oceania · Middle East

Korean Air uses Incheon as a major transfer hub between Asia and North America, with routes to Europe, Australia and many Asian cities.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Prestige (Business), First

First, Prestige (Business) and Economy; a new Premium class is coming to retrofitted 777-300ERs.

Compare cabins

Good to know

Korean Air bought 63.88% of Asiana in December 2024, and Asiana’s brand is due to be absorbed in 2027. Korean Air rebranded in March 2025, its first rebrand since 1984. Official website: koreanair.com.

Frequent flyer

SKYPASS

Member of SkyTeam

Korean Air is a founding member of SkyTeam; its programme is SKYPASS.

How it works

Start a new search

Search your dates on bookingMentor to see Korean Air next to the other airlines flying from Seoul, then pick the fare that suits your trip.

Safe travels on Korean Air.

Select dates

At a glance

Korean Air (IATA: KE, ICAO: KAL) is the flag carrier of South Korea, founded in 1962 and based at Seoul Incheon International Airport. A founding member of SkyTeam, it flies about 170 aircraft, including Boeing 777, 787, 747-8 and Airbus A380 and A330, to more than 120 cities worldwide.

Key facts about Korean Air
HeadquartersGangseo District, Seoul, South Korea
Fleet typesBoeing 777-300ER, 787-9, 787-10, 747-8I, Airbus A380, A330-300, Boeing 737
Frequent flyerSKYPASS
Official websitekoreanair.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
These are the cities on Korean Air’s published route map. Timetables change through the year, so check the Korean Air schedule before you plan around a route. Search flights

Korea

Seoul (ICN) departures3 destinations

Check all
  • Seoul (ICN/GMP)

Fleet and aircraft

174 aircraft in January 2026 with 246 on order, including 6 Airbus A380s, 25 Boeing 777-300ERs, 14 787-9s and 12 787-10s. Orders include 40 Boeing 777-9s (from 2028), 62 737 MAX 10s, 36 more 787-10s and 20 A350-1000s.

  • Boeing 777-300ER Wide-body · 25 Long-haul flagship routes
  • Boeing 787-9 Wide-body Long-haul and Asian routes
  • Boeing 787-10 Wide-body Long-haul and Asian routes
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body · 17 Asian and medium-haul routes
  • Airbus A380-800 Wide-body · 6 The highest-demand routes, with First Class on board
  • Boeing 747-8I Wide-body · 4 A few busy long-haul routes; the smallest wide-body group in the fleet
  • Boeing 737 family Narrow-body Domestic and short Asian routes

Cabin classes

Up to three cabins depending on aircraft.

Economy All flights

Full service with Korean food

Meals including bibimbapChecked bags included

Prestige (Business) All aircraft

Flat beds on long-haul

KAL LoungePriority servicesExtra baggage

First Selected long-haul

Kosmo Suites

Private suiteFine diningPremium lounges

SKYPASS

SKYPASS is Korean Air’s frequent flyer scheme, and you can sign up on koreanair.com.

Members earn miles on Korean Air and SkyTeam flights and redeem them for award tickets and upgrades. SKYPASS tiers are recognised across SkyTeam.

Baggage allowance

On Korean Air, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your KE e-ticket.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Flights to and from the Americas use a piece concept; many other international routes also include checked baggage. Check your e-ticket.

Pro tip: Incheon is a large airport; for international transfers stay airside and follow the transfer signs.
Travel day

Online Check-in

The four steps below take you from your Korean Air booking to the gate, whether you depart from ICN or another airport on its network.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Where your flight allows it, check in on koreanair.com or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic KE passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for Korean Air check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    At the airport, take your bags to the Korean Air bag-drop point. Collect a printed KE boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.

    Korean Air counter
Departing from Seoul? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Incheon International, all in one guide.
Seoul Airport guide Check in with Korean Air
Save money

Cheap tickets

A few booking habits that tend to cut the cost of flying Korean Air.

  1. 01

    Be flexible with your Korean Air dates

    Compare a full week of Korean Air departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Chuseok (autumn harvest festival), Seollal (Lunar New Year) and summer holidays are the busiest times.

    Chuseok & Seollal
  3. 03

    Price the bundle, not the base fare

    A Korean Air fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Korean Air alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Korean Air flights

Reviews and questions

Contribute:
No reviews yetFlown Korean Air recently? Be the first to share your experience with other travellers.

Visitors are asking

Still looking?

Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown Korean Air.

Need help?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Korean Air.
Checked against koreanair.com and public aviation references, with a review each season.

General

SkyTeam. Partners include Delta, KLM and Air France, so you can earn and use SKYPASS miles across a large global network.