Korean Air
✈️ Full-Service · SkyTeam Alliance · Seoul

Korean Air Review, Baggage Rules and Services

Everything you need to know — baggage allowances, cabin classes, routes, and why it is South Korea's flagship carrier.

4.3
★★★★★
Korean Air · Full-Service
✈️ Check Korean Air Flights on Expedia
KOREAN AIR
Est. 1969 · Seoul
Full-Service
Korean Air Boeing 747 cargo aircraft in flight

Korean Air Boeing 747 cargo aircraft in flight

1

Quick Facts

Key information about this airline at a glance

Airline NameKorean Air Lines Co., Ltd.
Founded1969
HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
AllianceSkyTeam
Fleet Size~160 aircraft
Destinations120+ worldwide
Airline TypeFull-Service (Luxury)
Annual Passengers~25 million
Hub AirportIncheon International Airport (ICN)
Explorelio Rating⭐ 4.3 / 5
2

Airline Rating Breakdown

Explorelio scores based on passenger experience and industry data

Service
★★★★☆
4.2 / 5
Comfort
★★★★☆
4.3 / 5
Value for Money
★★★★☆
4.1 / 5
Punctuality
★★★★☆
4.3 / 5
Baggage Policy
★★★★☆
4.4 / 5
Route Network
★★★★☆
4.3 / 5
3

Baggage Allowance

Korean Air offers generous baggage allowances across all cabin classes — especially in Economy. See our full airline comparison for a side-by-side view.

🎒 Cabin Baggage
Carry-on bag (all fares)55 × 40 × 20 cm
Weight limit12 kg Economy / 18 kg Business+
Personal itemLaptop bag / handbag
🧳 Checked Baggage
Economy — 1 × 23 kgIncluded
Prestige (Business) — 2 × 32 kgIncluded
First Class — 3 × 32 kgIncluded
Extra bagsFee applies

💡 Tip: Korean Air's cabin bag allowance (12 kg) is among the most generous in Economy class. Compare total prices on Expedia before booking.

💡 Compare total prices before booking
Meals and generous baggage included. Compare prices with other Asian premium carriers on Expedia.
Compare Korean Air Flights on Expedia →
4

Cabin Classes

Three cabin classes — from Economy to premium Prestige and First Class

Economy Class
Standard fare
  • 1 × 23 kg checked bag included
  • Seat pitch: 81–86 cm
  • On-demand entertainment
  • Meals and drinks included
First Class
Premium cabin on select routes
  • 3 × 32 kg bags included
  • Private suite with sliding door
  • Gourmet Korean cuisine
  • Exclusive First Class lounge access
5

Fleet Overview

Korean Air operates a diverse modern fleet of Boeing and Airbus widebodies. Compare with other carriers on our airline comparison page.

AircraftSeatsUsed forFleet Count
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner269Long-haul international routes~20
Boeing 777-300ER393High-density long-haul routes~30
Airbus A380-800407Flagship high-density routes~10
Boeing 737-8 MAX189Short and medium-haul routes~30
Korean Air Airbus A330 taxiing at airport to landing

Korean Air Airbus A330 taxiing at airport to landing

6

Route Network

Korean Air connects 120+ destinations worldwide via its hub at Incheon Airport in Seoul. Check our destination guides and travel itineraries for trip ideas.

🌏 South Korea and Asia
  • Seoul (ICN), Busan
  • Tokyo, Osaka
  • Beijing, Shanghai
  • Bangkok, Singapore
🌏 Southeast Asia and Pacific
  • Hong Kong, Taipei
  • Bali, Manila
  • Sydney, Auckland
  • Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta
🌍 Europe
  • London, Paris
  • Frankfurt, Amsterdam
  • Zurich, Rome
  • Madrid, Prague
🌎 North America
  • New York (JFK), Los Angeles
  • San Francisco, Chicago
  • Vancouver, Toronto
  • Dallas, Atlanta
7

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros
  • 🎒 Very generous cabin bag allowance (12 kg in Economy)
  • 🌏 Excellent Asian connectivity via Incheon hub
  • 🏛️ Incheon is consistently rated world's best airport
  • 🍱 High-quality Korean in-flight meals
  • ✈️ Modern Boeing 787 and 777 fleet
❌ Cons
  • 💰 Premium pricing compared to budget carriers
  • 🔄 All routes connect via Seoul — adds travel time
  • 🌍 Smaller European network than Gulf carriers — see our airline comparison for alternatives
  • 🎒 Economy checked bag limited to 1 × 23 kg
  • 📱 App and English website can be less intuitive
Boeing 777 climbing after takeoff

Boeing 777 climbing after takeoff

8

Compare Korean Air With Other Airlines

See how it stacks up against other carriers

9

How to Book Korean Air Flights

Find the Cheapest Fares

Fares include meals and baggage — compare prices across travel dates to find the best deal. Use Expedia to search alongside ANA, Japan Airlines and other Asian carriers. Also check our airline comparison page.

✈️ Compare Flights on Expedia
10

Contact Information

🌐
Official Website
📞
Customer Service
+82 2 2656 2001 (KR)
📍
Headquarters
Seoul, South Korea
11

Frequently Asked Questions

How much baggage is included? +
Economy includes 1 × 23 kg checked bag and a generous 12 kg cabin bag. Prestige (Business) Class includes 2 × 32 kg, and First Class 3 × 32 kg. The 12 kg cabin bag is one of the most generous in the industry.
Is it worth the price? +
Yes — particularly for routes through Seoul. The generous baggage policy, high-quality Korean meals, and modern fleet make it great value. Prestige Class offers excellent lie-flat comfort. Use Expedia to compare prices.
What is Prestige Class like? +
Prestige Class features a lie-flat bed with direct aisle access from every seat, premium Korean and Western dining, large personal screen, and priority lounge access at Incheon. It is regularly rated among the best Business Class products in Northeast Asia.
Does it fly from Europe? +
Yes — it operates flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich, Rome, Madrid and Prague to Seoul Incheon, with onward connections to 120+ destinations across Asia, the Pacific and the Americas.
How does Korean Air compare to Asiana Airlines? +
Both are South Korean full-service carriers. Korean Air is the larger of the two with a wider international network, while Asiana is known for warm service. Korean Air has recently merged with Asiana. For a full comparison, see our airline comparison page.