With a growing number of air traffic and scheduled airlines, civil aviation is gradually evolving in South Korea. The East Asian country witnessed the emergence of two new passenger airlines in 2021 alone. One is Air Premia, a Seoul-based hybrid service carrier (HSC). Founded in 2017, Air Premia entered the Korean commercial aviation market by commencing its operations on August 11, 2021. The newest Korean airline strives to create a competitive edge beyond the low fares, providing a comfortable flying experience on mid and long-haul routes. But is Air Premia delivering on its promise of good customer service at affordable rates? How is Air Premia’s onboard passenger service? Here’s an honest Air Premia review from a passenger’s perspective.
Air Premia review (Onboard services)
Seating configuration
Air Premia utilizes 5 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to serve its destinations. These American widebody airliners are available in two different seating configurations, offering variations in the seat width and distance between rows.
3 Boeing 787-9 jets registered HL8387, HL8388, and HL8389 feature similar seating layout which goes like this:-
- Total no. of seats-309 (Premia 42 has 56 seats whereas Economy 35 is outfitted with 253 seats)
- Distance between rows (pitch)-42 inches for Premia 42 and 35 inches for Economy 35
- Width of seats-20 inches for Premia 42 and 18 inches for Economy 35
Likewise, HL8517- and HL8516-registered aircraft have a seating protocol as follows:
- Total no. of seats-338 (56 seats in Premia 42 and 282 in Economy 35)
- Distance between rows (pitch)-43 inches in Premia 42 and 30-32 inches in Economy 35
- Width of seats-19.5 inches in Premia 42 and 18 inches in Economy 35
While all five Air Premia 787-9s have a dual cabin configuration, the seat width and pitch are different in some aircraft. The premium cabin class, aka Premia 42, offers wide seats with generous legroom, preventing passengers from feeling cramped during flights. You will appreciate the perks of roomy seats and wider legroom, especially on long-haul flights characterized by extended periods of sitting.
Air Premia economy seats are a slight step up from the cramped quarters of typical economy seating. With an industry-leading seat pitch (35 inches), the Economy 35 class makes the journey pleasant and comfortable for economy passengers.
Air Premia in-flight services
Hybrid service carrier Air Premia offers a choice between Korean and Western meals on its in-flight menu. Meals may be offered once or twice in both service classes, depending on the length of the journey. Regarding beverages, the carrier offers mineral water and coffee in economy class. The premium cabin features expanded beverage choices, including juice/tea and alcohol.
- Premia 42 in-flight service
In-flight meals: once on short/haul routes and twice on long-haul routes
Beverages: Mineral water/coffee, juice/organic green tea, and alcohol on all routes
- Economy 35 in-flight service
In-flight meals: Snacks for a fee on the Tokyo Narita route, one serving in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh, and two serving on US routes
Beverages: Complementary mineral water/coffee, alcohol for fee
In-flight entertainment (Air Premia review on IFE)
Air Premia in-flight entertainment is excellent for those who love Korean movies and shows. The full HD touch screens present a variety of K-movies and TV programs for customers to stay entertained. Those looking for non-Korean entertainment can purchase Wi-Fi or download preferred music or movies onto their devices before boarding.
Wi-Fi (Air Premia review on in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity)
The Seoul-based HSC maintains a competitive edge over other Korean airlines in terms of connectivity features. Air Premia offers in-flight Wi-Fi services for a fee with four types of paid data plans. These plans include e-text (30 MB, $6.95), e-light (60 MB, $10.95), e-standard (120 MB, $19.95), and e-flex (300 MB, $45.95).
Compared to some Western airlines, Air Premia’s internet plan is quite expensive (regarding data offered). There’s no weekly or monthly plan, and all data plans have a time limit of 24 hours. Besides, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to purchase in-flight Wi-Fi on every flight. The internet connectivity service may not be available depending on the aircraft you are about to board.
Overall service
You can expect decent customer service onboard Air Premia aircraft, regardless of travel classes. Flight attendants are courteous, friendly, and willing to offer help. Operating at the intersection of full-service carriers and low-costers, Air Premia offers services close to the mainline level at a reasonable price.
Air Premia review (Ground)
Air Premia provides three types of check-in: online, kiosk, and counter. The check-in counter opens 3 hours before the scheduled takeoff and remains unclosed for 2 hours (1 hour before the scheduled departure). Standard check-in counters for economy passengers and a dedicated counter offer seamless check-in for premium travelers.
Those flying in economy can carry 1 piece of check-in and carry-on baggage each weighing 23 kg and 10 kg, respectively. On the other hand, premium customers are allowed to carry up to 2 pieces of checked and hand-carry luggage each. The generous baggage allowance helps Air Premia stand out from other low-cost carriers in the country.
Air Premia review: Overall passenger experience
Air Premia is a prominent Korean carrier that follows a balanced premium brand philosophy. It adopts a hybrid service business model that involves delivering quality service at a reasonable price. Air Premia’s services run closer to those of full-service carriers at a price slightly higher than other LCCs’.
Also Read: Three major Chinese Airlines offering free Wi-Fi Services
The Seoul-based HSC offers a pleasing customer experience on medium—and long-haul routes. Seats are wide and comfortable, flight attendants are friendly and helpful, and complimentary in-flight meals are available on all flights (except for Tokyo). While the IFE system is decent, it lacks non-Korean movies and TV shows. The overall passenger experience is good and worth the price (or way more).
About Air Premia
Air Premia is a new Korean airline offering low-cost, high-quality passenger service to international routes. It is the brainchild of Kim Jong-Chul, the former president of Korea’s largest airline, Jeju Air. Air Premia is the country’s first and only HSC, established on July 27, 2017.
Despite being founded 6 years ago, Air Premia didn’t launch its operations until 2021. The coronavirus outbreak pushed back the combined carrier’s intended 2020 launch to one year later.
Air Premia made its debut by operating a domestic service on the Seoul-Jeju route on August 11, 2021. The startup left domestic operations on October 30, 2021, to compete in the international arena.
The carrier’s high-quality, low-price model relies on effectively utilizing its widebody fleet. It maintains a single-type fleet of 5 Boeing 787-9s, which are technologically advanced and highly fuel efficient.
Air Premia destinations
The new hybrid airline startup, Air Premia, operates a modest route network covering six destinations in 5 countries. Unlike traditional low-cost carriers specializing in short-haul passenger operations, Air Premia operates mid- to long-distance flights. From its hub at Incheon International Airport, the combined airline shuttles passengers to:
- Frankfurt in Germany
- Tokyo in Japan
- Bangkok in Thailand
- Los Angeles and Newark in the United States
- Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam
Flights to Newark and Frankfurt are the longest among these destinations. The Seoul-Newark and Seoul-Frankfurt routes have travel durations of 13 hours 55 minutes and 13 hours 45 minutes, respectively. Similarly, the Los Angeles-bound flight lasts 10 hours and 40 minutes. Other routes are medium-haul (except Tokyo, whose flight is just 2 hours and 40 minutes long) since they lie in Asia.
Here’s a list of Air Premia’s flight schedules. With the flight itinerary, it’s easier to make travel plans and prepare accordingly.
- Bangkok (BKK)
YP601: Seoul-Bangkok; 17:10-21:15 (flight duration-6 hours 5 minutes)
YP602: Bangkok-Seoul; 22:45-06:15 (flight duration-5 hours 30 minutes)
- Frankfurt (FRA)
YP 231: Seoul-Frankfurt; 10:00-16:45 (flight duration-13 hours 45 minutes)
YP 232: Frankfurt-Seoul; 19:00-13: 55 (+1, flight duration-11 hours 55 minutes)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
YP 101: Seoul-Los Angeles; 13:40-08:20 (flight duration-10 hours 40 minutes)
YP 102: Los Angeles-Seoul; 10:50-15:45 (flight duration-12 hours 55 minutes)
- Newark Liberty (EWR)
YP131: Seoul-Newark; 09:05 pm-10:00 pm (flight duration-13 hours 55 minutes)
YP121: Newark-Seoul; 12:30 am-04:25 am (+1, flight duration-14 hours 55 minutes)
- Tokyo Narita (NRT)
YP731: Seoul-Tokyo/Narita; 08:50-11:30 (flight duration-2 hours 40 minutes)
YP731: Tokyo/Narita-Seoul; 12:40-15:30 (flight duration-2 hours 50 minutes)
- Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
YP651: Seoul-Ho Chi Minh; 19:00-23:00 (flight duration-6 hours)
YP652: Ho Chi Minh-Seoul; 00:10-07:10 (flight duration-5 hours)
On top of passenger operations, Air Premia carries out charter flights as well. Branching out into charter operations allows the combined carrier to generate additional income and optimize aircraft utilization. The Seoul-based airline operates scheduled charter flights to Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Oslo (Norway). Starting September 11, Air Premia will offer twice weekly charter services between Seoul Incheon and Barcelona using Boeing 787-9. The scheduled charter service to Barcelona will remain operational till November 9, 2023.
