Quantcast

Korean Air introduces Airbus A350 on Japan routes amid fleet expansion

Korean Air introduces Airbus A350 on Japan routes amid fleet expansion
Policy
Webp received 890482686495513
Korean Air Airbus A350 | Wikipedia

Korean Air is set to introduce the Airbus A350-900 on its routes to Japan, marking a significant step in the airline's fleet expansion. The South Korean flag carrier will commence operations with two new A350-900 aircraft from Seoul Incheon to Osaka and Fukuoka starting Monday, January 27. The service includes twice-daily flights to Osaka and a daily flight to Fukuoka.

In December 2024, Korean Air received its first two A350-900s as part of an order that includes six of these aircraft and 27 larger A350-1000s. Initially used for short-haul routes, the A350-900 will be deployed on medium and long-haul routes later this year, including destinations like Taipei in March and European cities such as Rome, Madrid, and Prague in the latter half of 2025.

The introduction of the Airbus A350-900 represents a strategic investment by Korean Air aimed at enhancing environmental efficiency and customer satisfaction. The aircraft offers improved onboard products compared to older models like the Boeing 777-200ER and -300ER. Equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 provides greater fuel efficiency while maintaining a range similar to the Boeing 747-8i.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The demand for passenger services has increased following Korean Air's merger with Asiana Airlines in December 2024. New aircraft deliveries, including the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321neo, have helped manage this growth. The A350-900 accommodates 311 passengers across two classes: Prestige Class with 28 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration offering aisle access and privacy dividers; Economy Class with ergonomic seats arranged in a typical 3-3-3 layout.

Both classes feature Panasonic eX3 entertainment systems with larger displays in Prestige Class. Korean Air has prepared extensively for operating the new aircraft type by assembling experienced pilots who underwent intensive training at the Airbus Asia Training Center in Singapore. Maintenance teams have also completed EASA-approved training courses as part of preparations for integrating the A350 into their fleet.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Star Alliance has been named the World's Best Airline Alliance at the 2025 Skytrax Awards.

Jul 12, 2025

SAS and Air France have applied for a codeshare network covering ten U.S. destinations, including New York's JFK and Los Angeles' LAX.

Jul 12, 2025

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has released its June 2025 On-Time Performance (OTP) report, which analyzes global punctuality trends among airlines and airports.

Jul 12, 2025

United Airlines is set to resume flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on July 21, 2025.

Jul 12, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport experienced significant growth in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers.

Jul 12, 2025

Emirates' fleet currently includes 253 widebody aircraft, with the addition of eight Airbus A350-900s.

Jul 12, 2025