Korean Air said it will receive the first of four A380 aircraft, currently under construction at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, for delivery in May. Korean Air will be the first Asian airline to use the aircraft on transpacific routes and the double-decker airplane will be outfitted with between 400 and 450 seats, making it the most spacious A380 anywhere.
“The reduced seating layout will expand cabin space and provide customers with a truly luxurious air travel experience,” said Korean Air-Americas Marketing Director John Jackson. “We are designing the cabin to promote relaxing air travel, and will incorporate some unique features to be revealed later.”
Korean Air is the sixth carrier to introduce the A380 into its fleet, but it will be the first airline to fly it between the U.S. and Asia. The airline has ordered 10 A380 aircraft. In addition to the May delivery, the airline’s second, third and fourth A380s are scheduled to be delivered next June, July and August. From 2012 to 2014, additional aircraft will be introduced, bringing the total to 10.
At the outset, Korean Air will operate the aircraft for short-haul routes to major cities in Japan and East Asia. Next August, the A380 will start servicing the airline’s long-haul routes to the U.S. and Europe. The introduction of the super jumbo aircraft is expected to also increase passengers from China, Japan, and East Asia transferring to the U.S. and Europe, accelerating Incheon International Airport’s goal of becoming a global aviation hub. For more information, visit www.koreanair.com.