Quantcast

Korean Air resumes Airbus A380 service at Frankfurt after more than a decade

Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Boeing Delays Continue for Alaska, Hawaiian
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Korean Air resumes Airbus A380 service at Frankfurt after more than a decade
Policy
Webp cho
Walter Cho, Chairman, CEO | Korean Air

Frankfurt Airport is set to see the return of Korean Air's Airbus A380 aircraft after more than a decade. The South Korean airline will resume regular A380 flights to Frankfurt starting October 26, 2025, according to its booking engine. This marks the first time since March 2014 that Korean Air's double-decker jets will operate scheduled services at Europe’s sixth-busiest airport.

The decision follows Asiana Airlines' recent return of its A380s to Frankfurt in August. Korean Air holds nearly 64% ownership of Asiana. Both airlines have previously switched routes for their A380 operations with little notice, so future changes remain possible.

Korean Air’s A380s are configured with 407 seats: 12 Kosmo suites (all on the lower deck), 94 business class seats (upper deck), and 301 economy seats (lower deck). The aircraft will replace the Boeing 777-300ER on four weekly flights between Seoul Incheon and Frankfurt, increasing seat capacity per departure by about 47%. Premium seating—first and business class—will make up 26% of available seats on the route, an eight-point rise compared to the previous configuration using the 777.

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.

Flight schedules for winter 2025/2026 indicate departures from Seoul Incheon to Frankfurt on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:25 local time, arriving in Frankfurt at 17:20. Return flights leave Frankfurt at 19:30 and arrive in Seoul at 15:05 the following day.

Passenger demand between Seoul and Frankfurt remains strong. From July 2024 to June 2025, around 425,000 round-trip passengers traveled this route—an average of over a thousand people daily—making it one of Korea’s largest European markets after Paris Charles de Gaulle. The area around Frankfurt hosts Germany’s largest South Korean community and numerous Korean businesses.

Currently, four airlines operate flights between Seoul and Frankfurt: Asiana, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and T’Way Air. Only Paris CDG has as many operators on this route. Budget carrier T’Way entered the market in October 2024 after Air Premia exited in 2023.

This winter season is expected to see four airlines flying A380s into Frankfurt: Asiana (four weekly from Seoul), Emirates (daily from Dubai), Korean Air (four weekly from Seoul), and Singapore Airlines (daily from Singapore). Lufthansa now operates its A380s exclusively out of Munich due to disagreements over fees with Frankfurt Airport authorities.

Historically, six airlines operated A380s into Frankfurt during winter 2019/2020 before the pandemic reduced such activity. At that time, Frankfurt was among the top airports globally for double-decker departures but is projected to rank much lower this coming winter.

"Frankfurt Airport is a haven for quadjet aircraft, particularly the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A340, and—to a lesser degree—the A380. Korean Air is the latest operator to confirm the return of the A380 to Europe’s sixth-busiest airport," according to Aeroroutes.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its route network for 2026, with plans to introduce service to two new cities and launch 13 new or returning routes.

Oct 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025