New Korean airline faces tough odds adding route to Los Angeles

Things are stirring in Korea’s airline market. Air Premia, which launched last summer, is now selling tickets on the busy Seoul Incheon-Los Angeles route, with flights starting on October 29. Service will run five times per week using Boeing Dreamliners, in direct competition with incumbents Korean Air and Asiana. Each offers two flights a day in both directions. The new airline hopes to capitalize on Korea’s decision to drop all Covid-related travel restrictions this month, a prelude to what airlines hope will be a revival of tourism and family visits. Northeast Asia, including Korea, Japan, and greater China, has been slow to see travel recover this year, even as most other regions have experienced a takeoff. During August, the latest month of published statistics, Seoul Incheon airport handled 2m passengers. That’s up from just 339,000 last August but still far shy of the 6.4m Incheon handled in August 2019. Air Premia calls itself a “hybrid service carrier,” aiming to offer low fares but with more amenities than most low-cost carriers. It currently operates three Boeing 787-9s configured in two classes: premium economy and economy, each with “standard” and “flex” pricing options featuring distinct policies on bag allowance, seating assignments, change and cancellation fees, etc. Economy customers can also choose a “lite” fare option offering the cheapest seats but also the fewest amenities and most restrictive policies.<br/>