The East Asian country of South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) is one of the world’s prominent tech and innovation hubs. Starting from obscurity, South Korea has witnessed significant breakthroughs in the technological, manufacturing, social, aerospace, and economic sectors. From the biggest smartphone brand Samsung and multinational automotive manufacturer Hyundai to widely popular LG electronics, South Korea hosts some of the largest companies in the world in terms of revenue and net profit, making it a perfect base for business travelers. If you are willing to undertake a business trip to South Korea, the best idea is to fly with Korean Air-the flag carrier of the Republic of Korea. Traveling with Korean Air (KE) allows you to have a comfortable journey and an opportunity to create life-lasting memories in the clouds. It lands at Incheon International Airport- the gateway to the capital of Seoul- and Gimhae International Airport, the air facility serving the Busan-Gyeongnam Area. We’ll look at what it’s like to fly with Korean Air for business travel to South Korea.
Korean Air: A business trip to South Korea
Your business trip to the emerging financial hub of South Korea will be much easier with flights offered by Korean Air. The flagship airline has its international presence in over 150 destinations in fifty countries on six continents and operates passenger services from its primary hub at Incheon International Airport. Besides, the carrier operates point-to-point routes from its bases at Gimhae International Airport, Busan, and Jeju International Airport, Jeju.
Direct flights for your business trip
With Korean Air, you will get direct flights to South Korea if you belong to one of these countries: Armenia, Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN), serving the Seoul Capital Area, handles most of Korean Air’s international flights. Seoul is a lively metropolis city ablaze with cutting-edge modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways interspersed with high-end retail stores, and numerous attractions. ICN Airport is a top-notch facility and an excellent landing point for your remarkable journey to Seoul. Whether you are from the US or Britain, Seoul is well-connected to leading US and Britain cities like New York JFK, Las Vegas, Seattle/Tacoma, Washington-Dulles, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, London-Heathrow, etc.
Korean Air operates a handful of international destinations from Gimpo International Airport (GMP), Seoul. Korean Air passengers from Beijing, Osaka, Tokyo, and Shanghai can use this airport to arrive in Seoul.
If Seoul isn’t your business travel destination and the corporate trip is scheduled somewhere in Korea’s largest industrial area of Busan, Gimhae Airport (PUS) will cater to your international air travel needs. PUS Airport accommodates KE’s international passengers from Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Beijing-Capital, Da Nang, Shanghai-Pudong, Taipei-Taoyuan, Nagoya-Centrair, and Tokyo-Narita.
Lying on an island off the Korean Peninsula, Jeju is another topmost business location in Korea, as it is home to prestigious hotels and remarkable public casino facilities. You can take Korean Air’s direct international flights to Jeju International Airport from Beijing-Capital. If you want to fly to some domestic mainland destinations from Jeju, the flagship airline offers direct flights to Busan, Cheongju, Gwangju, and Seoul-Gimpo.
International business trip to South Korea: Aircraft used
Not only is Korean Air a flag carrier of South Korea, but it is also the largest airline in the country measured by fleet size and destinations served. It boasts a massive fleet of over 160 aircraft comprising Airbus A220-300s, A321neos, A330-200s, A330-300s, A380-800s, Boeing 737-800s, B737-900s, B737-900ERs, B737 Max 8s, B747-8Is, B777-300s, B777-300ERs, and B787-9s.
Korean Air also touts a luxurious fleet of 9 Business Jets uniquely customized to serve VVIP and super-wealthy business customers. The flag carrier carries out its private jet charter operations using its state-of-the-art aircraft like Boeing 737-700/BBJ1 (16-26 seats), Boeing 787-8/BBJ (39 seats), Bombardier Global Express XRS (13 seats), Gulfstream G650ER (13 seats), Sikorsky S-76+ (5-6 seats), and AgustaWestland AW139 (8-14 seats).
Flying on KE’s First or Prestige Class
You will get a taste of luxury before you depart for South Korea on a corporate visit if you book Korean Air’s First or Prestige Class. Korean Air’s both classes of service have a luxury reserved for its high-end customers, elegant design, and passenger-focused care.
- First Class flying with Korean Air
To make everything go as planned on your business mission, Korean Air’s First Class provides excellent service in the airport, onboard, and post-arrival in South Korea. You’ll get to check in comfortably in the exclusive First Class check-in lounge, enjoy one-on-one premium care service by designated staff, and access the first-class lounge to unwind and take care of the important business before boarding. Once you step into the aircraft, you can dine at your leisure, savor quintessential Korean dishes designed by the best chefs in the world, and rejuvenate with the exclusive Premium In-flight Amenity Kit from French luxury brand Atelier Cologne. You can look forward to uninterrupted sleep on the finest first Class seat that fully reclines into a comfortable bed with a high-quality duvet and mattress pad. You will wake up refreshed as you land in South Korea, ready to conquer the world of business.
Not all Korean Air aircraft are equipped with First Class cabins; they can be found on KE’s select Boeing 747-8Is, Airbus A380-800s, Boeing 777-200ERs, and B777-300ERs. The aging 777-300s have 2-2-2 configured first-class seats, whereas Kosmo Suite first-class seats featured on all other planes are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout. Korean Air has also introduced the latest first-class product on some of its 777-300ER and 747-8 jets, which come up with a personal closet and closing doors facility.
- Flying with Prestige onboard Korean Air aircraft
Designed exclusively for high-paying traffic, Korean Air’s Prestige Class (Business Class) strives to offer excellent service and a flawless flight experience onboard its state-of-the-art aircraft (except the A220). Prestige Class is the mainstay product of KE that provides a travel experience like no other, from departure to arrival and beyond.
You’ll experience a seamless airport journey with an exclusive check-in counter, expedited bag drop process, and a prestige lounge to enjoy the luxury of private space before boarding. The onboard service is equally enviable-the welcome drink before departure, premium in-flight meals and wine, a premium in-flight amenity kit from French luxury brand Atelier Cologne, and endless in-flight entertainment options.
Tantalize your tastebuds in the sky with a luxury Korean meal featuring Bibimbap, Korean-style braised mackerel, spicy Korean pork with leaf wraps served with steamed rice, buckwheat bibim noodles, etc., prepared by world-class chefs. The special mouth-watering cuisines are served with a selection of premium wines from France’s Bordeaux, Rhone, and Alsace regions. If you take a business trip (출장홈타이) to South Korea onboard KE’s Airbus A380 aircraft, you’ll get a chance to wind down and relax in Dream Lounge, A380 ‘Celestial Bar’ boasting sophisticated design and exquisite lighting.
Depending on the aircraft, Korean Air features ‘Prestige Plus’ seats on its 777-200ERs (170-degree seat reclining angle, one-touch seat-adjusting buttons), ‘Prestige Sleeper’ seats on its 777-300 ERs, older A330s, and A380s (180-degree full-flat seat), and ‘Prestige Suites’ (180-degree full-flat seats, individual and independent space) on its 777s, 747s, 787s, and few A330s.
After enjoying hours of undisturbed rest, you will arrive refreshed at your destination, but there’s more KE service beyond the landing. Korean Air offers KAL Premium Arrival Shower Service to its prestige customers at Grand Hyatt Incheon to recuperate on the day of arrival so that you can get down to business in the best way possible.
Korean Air’s special service for corporate travelers
The flag carrier of the Republic of Korea offers a specialized program for those who book business trip flights with them. Korean Air can be an ideal partner to grow your business as it gives you flexible availability and departure options from your first business destination to your last. KE assures exceptional service throughout the flight with dedicated staff, award-winning meals, the comfort of safety, and a personalized experience.
Under the KALBIZ program, Korean Air provides business travel rewards to those companies when their employees book business trip flights with the airline. The companies should complete their registration and have a minimum of five unique employee travelers to be eligible for earning KALBIZ points. Each time their employees set off for corporate visits, KALBIZ turns these business expenses into KALBIZ points, which can be redeemed for KE PR lounge, excess baggage, seat upgrade, or KALBIZ free ticket. You’ll acquire up to 7% on point per spending on eligible flights abroad and continue earning SKYPASS mileage.
Furthermore, Korean Air has a corporate credit partner card program in which member companies (based in Korea) will get credits accrued to their corporate account according to the amount changed. The accrued credit can be used for corporate employee benefits like employee award tickets, upgrade awards, etc.