A Korean Air Boeing 737 Max 8 flight bound for Taiwan experienced a pressurization system fault shortly after takeoff, resulting in a rapid descent and an emergency landing. Passengers reported cabin shaking and oxygen mask deployment, with some experiencing hyperventilation and ear pain. The incident adds to a recent string of emergency landings involving Boeing aircraft, raising concerns about potential safety issues.
Korean Air and Delta Air Lines joined forces for a beach cleanup in California, as part of their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. The event, held in partnership with Heal the Bay, saw ten teams of employees collect hundreds of pounds of trash, emphasizing the joint venture’s commitment to community outreach and sustainability.
Korean Air has been inducted into Air Transport World’s (ATW) Airline Industry Hall of Fame for its significant contributions to the global aviation industry. The induction ceremony took place during the ATW’s 50th Annual Airline Industry Achievements Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
ATW, a leading aviation publication, recognizes airlines, industry organizations, and individuals through a rigorous review process. Korean Air joins Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Pittsburgh Airport, Airlink, and former Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan as inductees into the inaugural Hall of Fame.
Korean Air has been awarded the Friendship Medal by the Mongolian government for its substantial social contributions in the country. The award acknowledges the airline’s significant role in bolstering bilateral ties between Mongolia and other nations.
Korean Air has marked the 20th anniversary of its ‘Korean Air Forest’ initiative in Baganuur, Mongolia. The reforestation effort was launched in 2004 to combat desertification caused by open-pit coal mining operations in the area. The project was temporarily paused for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed planting activities in May 2024. Over the past 20 years, Korean Air has planted over 125,300 trees representing 12 species, covering an area of 44 hectares. The forest has become a natural barrier against dust and debris from nearby coal mines, and a habitat for diverse wildlife. Korean Air’s efforts have been recognized with awards from the Mongolian government and Ministry of Environment and Tourism for its contributions to environmental conservation.
Air Premia, a hybrid airline, has formed a strategic partnership with Korean Air to offer interline tickets, providing passengers with the convenience of booking connecting flights from the Americas to destinations across Asia. Under this agreement, Air Premia passengers can purchase combined tickets for flights originating from key cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, connecting to Korean Air routes via Seoul Incheon International Airport. This partnership expands Air Premia’s network and enhances travel convenience for passengers with seamless transfers and baggage handling.
Korean Air has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch an AI Contact Center (AICC) platform, leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its customer service operations. This platform integrates voice bots and chatbots driven by AI technology, enabling personalized and efficient customer support beyond traditional call centers. Korean Air aims to consolidate its call center infrastructure into a single AWS Cloud platform by September 2024 and further enhance its services with advanced AI technologies by February 2025.
Korean Air has emerged victorious at Global Traveler’s 2024 Leisure and Lifestyle Travel Awards, bagging the prestigious award for the best onboard menu in its First Class cabin. This accolade adds to Korean Air’s impressive track record, having previously earned acclaim for its exceptional airline cuisine. Global Traveler’s annual survey, which garnered votes from subscribers, highlights Korean Air’s unwavering commitment to service excellence. The airline’s diverse menu offerings, catering to specific dietary preferences and encompassing traditional Korean flavors, have been instrumental in its continued recognition.
Korean Air is introducing scheduled charter flights from Seoul Incheon to Lisbon, Portugal, from September 11 to October 25. The flights, operated three times a week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, mark the only direct service connecting Northeast Asia with Lisbon, simplifying travel to the historic and vibrant city. Lisbon offers a captivating blend of historical and modern attractions, including UNESCO World Heritage sites and scenic beaches.
Korean Air will commence a new daily flight service connecting Seoul Incheon with Macau from July 1, 2024. The flights will depart from Incheon International Airport at 9:15 pm and arrive at Macau International Airport at 11:55 pm. The return flights will take off from Macau International Airport at 1:10 am the following day and land back at Incheon International Airport at 6:00 am. The flight duration is approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
