Incheon~New York Route 'Naedonnaesan' Experience
Competitive Prices and Services
Korean Air and Asiana Merger Likely to Replace US Routes
The image we have of LCCs (Low-Cost Carriers) is that they are airlines that offer cheap flights to nearby countries from Korea. However, an LCC has emerged that aims to offer affordable long-haul routes, breaking away from the traditional LCC image. Air Premia operates five long-haul B787-9 aircraft and has launched six routes based at Incheon International Airport. Except for Tokyo (Narita), Japan, and Bangkok, Thailand, most of the current destinations are routes to the Americas and Europe (New York, LA, Frankfurt, Honolulu).
Last month, I personally flew on Air Premia’s New York route, which is emerging as the cheapest airline to travel to the US and Europe. It showed a sufficiently competitive image with reasonable prices and spacious seat sizes.
The final payment amount for the round-trip economy class ticket, departing from Incheon International Airport on the 6th of last month and returning on the 14th (local time), was 1,684,500 KRW. [Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]
Air Premia’s ticket prices were the cheapest compared to other Korean carriers (Korean Air and Asiana Airlines). The final payment amount for a round-trip economy class ticket departing from Incheon International Airport on the 6th of last month and returning on the 14th (local time) was 1,684,500 KRW. When compared on the flight booking site ‘Skyscanner,’ the prices for Korean Air and Asiana Airlines tickets both exceeded 2 million KRW. You could save at least 320,000 KRW and still fly to New York.
The Economy 35 seats have a pitch of 35 inches (approximately 88.9 cm). According to the company, this is the widest pitch among economy seats of airlines worldwide. [Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]
The price is reasonable, but the service is not lacking. For transpacific routes, checked baggage up to 23 kg (for economy seats) is free. The seat pitch, as the name suggests (Economy 35), is 35 inches (about 88.9 cm). The company claims this is the widest seat pitch among economy seats of airlines worldwide. In fact, during the 14 hours and 50 minutes flight back from New York to Korea, I was able to stretch my legs and sit more comfortably than in economy seats of other airlines. For in-flight meals, an appetizer such as salad and one main dish are served together. Since it is a long-haul route, meals were served shortly after takeoff and again two hours before landing. On the flight departing Incheon last month, bibimbap and pasta with chicken were served, and on the flight departing New York, spicy chicken and bulgogi were provided. The taste was not exceptional but not unsatisfactory either. Only water and coffee were provided free of charge for beverages; other snacks and drinks required payment. Entertainment options were somewhat limited. The 12-inch touchscreen in front of the seat was sufficient, but the content consisted of only 11 Korean movies and about 5 JTBC variety shows.
Air Premia Incheon~New York route in-flight meal. The taste is not special, but it is not at a level to cause dissatisfaction. Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@
Air Premia’s New York route arrives at Newark Airport in New Jersey, USA. Other Korean carriers fly to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York. Newark Airport is relatively closer to Manhattan, the center of New York. It usually takes 50 minutes to an hour by taxi from JFK to Manhattan. However, when taking a taxi at 10 PM (local time) from Newark Airport, it took 40 minutes to reach Manhattan. However, since many flights from Europe and other regions arrive around the same time, immigration inspection can take about an hour.
The 12-inch touchscreen in front of the seat itself was sufficient, but the content consisted of only 11 Korean movies and about 5 JTBC variety shows. [Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@]
Based on this long-haul operational know-how, Air Premia is expected to emerge as a new ‘strong contender’ on transpacific routes. It is considered the most likely alternative for some transpacific routes after the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. If the two airlines finalize their merger, they are expected to have to give up some route rights to other airlines for flights to the US. This is because the US Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly requested remedial measures, fearing that Korean Air would monopolize transpacific routes after the merger. The DOJ expressed concerns about monopolies on five of the 13 transpacific routes operated by Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, including New York, LA, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu. Since Air Premia already operates the New York and LA routes, it is more likely to receive route rights compared to other LCCs.
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