Korean Air began operations with its Pratt & Whitney-powered Airbus A321neo aircraft, the newest model in the company’s fleet. The new A321neo features a new Prestige Class product with a fully reclining seat, the only South Korean company to offer this feature on a narrowbody aircraft.
Korean Air’s first service of the A321neo was on November 30 on flight KE 1027, which took off from Seoul-Gimpo Airport (GMP) at 09:34 local time and landed at Jeju International Airport (CJU) at 10:34, after one hour.
According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, in December the South Korean flag carrier will have an offer of 45,136 seats per month on flights operated by Airbus A321neo. This model is expected to operate international services to mainland China, Japan and Southeast Asia.
«This next-generation, fuel-efficient A321neo will take our customers’ experience to a new level with the award-winning Airspace cabin and fully reclining business class seats,» said Soo Keun Lee, Korean Air’s executive vice president and chief operating and safety officer.
«With the A321neo’s fuel-per-seat improvements of at least 25% compared to Korean Air’s previous-generation fleet of the same size, the airline will significantly reduce its operating costs as well as emissions at the same time,» said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International.
Korean Air’s Airbus A321neo aircraft can seat 182 passengers in two classes with 8 seats in Prestige Class and 174 seats in Economy.
Prestige Class
- The lie-flat seats are fully reclining 180 degrees, the first time the airline has offered this type of product on its fleet of narrowbody aircraft.
- Personal entertainment screens are 44 cm wide for On-Demand service and a wireless charger for smartphones.
Economy
- Seats will have a seat pitch of up to 121 degrees.
- Personal entertainment screens are 33 cm wide.
- Seats are fitted with an adjustable headrest and an individual coat rack.
Airspace Cabin
- Korean Air is the first Asian airline to feature Airspace Cabin on an Airbus A321neo.
- A new lighting system suitable for each phase of flight.
- The overhead compartments are 40% larger compared to other A321neo.
- The bathroom is equipped with bright lighting and antibacterial coating.
- By the first half of 2023, A321neo aircraft will have in-flight internet service.
Korean Air is continuing with its fleet modernization plans and is scheduled to take delivery of 30 Airbus A321neo by 2027.
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