Korean Air has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, marking a significant expansion of its fleet as it aims to meet the rising passenger demand.
The first aircraft, designated HL8598, is set to commence operations between Seoul and Osaka, with its inaugural flight scheduled for the morning of March 27, as per Korean Air's announcement. Following this initial service, the airline plans to deploy the A350-900 on this route twice daily. A second aircraft, HL8597, will operate from Seoul to Fukuoka on the same day, with scheduled round trips planned for this route as well.
During the summer season, Korean Air's A350-900s will cover not only these short-haul routes but also medium to long-haul international flights to Taipei, Spain's Madrid, and Italy's Rome later this year. This expansion highlights the airline's strategic focus on improving its service offerings and environmental responsibility.
Among the aircraft's many attributes is its advanced design aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and reducing environmental impacts. The A350-900 is heralded as one of the next-generation aircrafts, renowned for its fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared to similar models. This aligns with Korean Air's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management objectives.
The introduction of this aircraft series also positions Korean Air to respond proactively to the increasing passenger traffic, particularly following the merger with rival airline, Asiatic Airlines, reflecting foresight amid changing market dynamics.
With distinctive engineering, the A350-900 boasts a cabin height of 17.05 meters and length of 66.89 meters, offering ample space compared to its predecessors. It can also operate routes exceeding 12,000 kilometers, facilitating direct flights to major destinations across Europe and the East Coast of the United States. Notably, it features up to 40% improved fuel efficiency per seat compared to the Airbus A380.
This aircraft also incorporates innovative materials, utilizing over 50% carbon composite material which significantly reduces its weight and enhances its durability. Equipped with Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB engines, the A350-900 exemplifies technological advancement, including sophisticated morphing wings to minimize turbulence and maximize flight stability.
The aircraft's design has been carefully crafted to maintain high air quality and passenger comfort during flights. Air is replaced every two to three minutes, supported by HEPA filters to sustain cleanliness over long durations. The humidity level is improved by 5%, and interior noise levels are reduced by 4 to 6 decibels, providing passengers with an environment conducive to relaxation.
Korean Air's commitment to safety is evident through its installation of the cargo doors, engineered for both operational efficiency and structural reliability—a feature completed with high precision and expertise. The A350-900 is fitted with 311 seats, including 28 Prestige Class and 283 Economy Class seats, enhancing passenger flexibility and privacy.
The Prestige Class seats adopt a staggered 1-2-1 herringbone layout, enabling ease of access without disturbing neighboring passengers. Each seat offers generous space of 22 inches (56 cm) wide, which can convert to 77 inches (195.5 cm) for sleeping arrangements. Meanwhile, the Economy Class configuration, laid out 3-3-3, features slim seats with increased spacing, ensuring comfort throughout the flight.
Passengers will also benefit from cutting-edge entertainment systems, with 18.5-inch touchscreens available for Prestige Class, alongside the diverse content library accessible through Panasonic's eX3 system for Economy Class travelers.
The airline has prioritized training and maintenance, establishing specialized A350 maintenance teams with comprehensive training approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These teams have undergone extensive preparations since July of last year, with more training set to be rolled out through Korean Air’s own programs.
Experienced flight crews have also been selected for the A350 operations, recruited based on their expertise across various Airbus and Boeing models. Their training has included rigorous scenarios simulating extreme conditions, reinforcing Korean Air's commitment to safety and operational excellence.
The airline plans to add more A350 models, including the A350-1000, reflecting its dedication to modernizing its fleet and enhancing service offerings. Korean Air is confident these efforts will meet growing air travel demands, ensuring future operations are both efficient and eco-friendly.