Korean Air to scrap first class on 27 international routes
Korean Air is eliminating first-class seats on more than two dozen international routes starting in June.
The first class cabin will go from 27 routes, which leaves just economy and prestige classes on 76 of its 111 routes.
Then, only 30% of its international flights will offer a first class option.
Many of its shorter routes within Asia to China, Japan and Southeast Asia do not have first class seating.
The airlines is removing first class in order to maximise profitability as demand for the service is weak on many routes which mostly attract leisure passengers.
In many cases it won’t mean a major retrofit programme.
On some aircraft it uses the same type of seats for business and first class but with enhanced service options for the latter.
"We decided to apply two class seat options for flights to tourism destinations where there was low demand for first class," an airline spokesperson said.
"We will do our best to minimise the inconvenience of first-class passengers and maintain quality service for prestige-class passengers."
First class will still be available on selected short haul routes including Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta and Hanoi.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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