Air France has announced the launch of direct flights between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Paris, Charles de Gaulle, starting May 20. This new service will significantly enhance connectivity between the two cities, offering customers in Saudi Arabia direct flights to Paris and access to over 190 destinations across the global network of Air France. The service on this route will commence with three flights a week from May 20. Starting June, this frequency will increase to five flights a week, which will be maintained throughout the summer season. On this launch, Stefan Gumuseli, General Manager, Air France – KLM India and the Middle East, stated: "We are excited to announce the launch of Air France flights between Riyadh and Paris. With a positive growth outlook, Saudi Arabia continues to be a key market for the Air France-KLM group. This new route, along with KLM’s existing services to Riyadh and Dammam, highlights our commitment to expanding our presence in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh and Paris are strategic hubs for both business and leisure travel, and we are happy to provide more travel options between these two cities, and the world via our hub Paris, Charles de Gaulle. Further this development will also strengthen the existing partnership between Air France and Saudia Airlines.”<br/>
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Korean Air, Korea's flagship air carrier, said Monday it plans to expand and revamp its lounge facilities at Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to Seoul. The airline will establish new Prestige Garden lounges at the airport's newly constructed east and west sections, while the existing Prestige East lounge and the Miler Club lounge will be expanded and upgraded at their current locations. The new and upgraded lounges will open in phases starting in August, providing passengers with a more spacious and premium airport experience. Once the renovation and expansion are complete, Korean Air will operate a total of six lounges at Incheon International Airport. The total lounge space will increase by approximately 2.5 times, with seating capacity nearly doubling to enhance passenger comfort. With the planned full integration of Asiana Airlines Inc. into Korean Air by late 2025, Asiana's lounges at the airport are expected to be closed in phases.<br/>
orean Air will begin flying all-new premium economy recliners towards the end of this year, with the seats already being fitted to the airline’s Boeing 777 workhorses. “We will have about 20-25 (premium economy) seats per aircraft, servicing all the long-haul routes,” Korean Air Chairman and CEO Walter Cho told Executive Traveller at the airline’s unveiling of new livery and corporate branding. Eleven of the 25-strong 777-300ER fleet will go under the knife, losing first class in the process – the pointy end of the place will be occupied by an expanded business class cabin featuring the latest Prestige Suites 2.0. “The (first) 777-300ER is being retrofitted as we speak,” Cho confirmed. “Those aircraft and the A350s and Boeing 777-9 will all be fitted with premium economy.” The 20-strong 777-9 deliveries are due to begin in 2028 and will also showcase new private first class suites. Korean Air Executive Vice President David Pacey qualified the SkyTeam member’s reborne 777s timeline, saying “I think not this spring (or) summer, I think fall/winter schedule. I know it’s getting ready to be implemented very soon.”<br/>