Last Updated:

2024-03-20 09:06:43

Korean Air

Flag carrier and largest airline of South Korea.

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Flag carrier and largest airline of South Korea.

Korean Air, owned by Hanjin Group, operates as the flag carrier of South Korea. It has a strong global presence with a large fleet and international destinations. The airline has a history dating back to 1969 and is a member of SkyTeam alliance. Korean Air has made significant improvements in its safety record over the years and is one of the top-ranked international cargo airlines.

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1946

Korean Air

Korean Air is the flag carrier airline of South Korea. It operates domestic and international flights on 5 continents.

1949

Korean Air

Korean Air is the flag carrier airline of South Korea. It is one of the largest airlines in Asia.

1960

Hanjin granted an air transportation license

In 1960, Hanjin was granted an air transportation license, which proved important in its later expansion in the air transportation sector.

1962

Foundation of Korean Air Lines

Korean Air Lines was founded as a state-owned company in 1962 under the name Korean Air Lines and was later privatized in 1969. It has since become the largest airline in South Korea and a key air carrier in Asia.

1969-03-01

Korean Air established

Korean Air, the flag carrier airline of South Korea, was established on March 1, 1969.

1970-03

Establishment of Korean Air

In March 1970, Korean Air was established after the acquisition of the state-owned Korean Air Lines.

1971-04-26

Introduction of Long-haul Trans-pacific Freight Operations

On April 26, 1971, Korean Air introduced long-haul trans-pacific freight operations, expanding its services and operations.

1972-04-19

Commencement of Passenger Services to Los Angeles International Airport

On April 19, 1972, Korean Air commenced passenger services to Los Angeles International Airport, further expanding its international presence.

1973

SkyPriority

SkyPriority, introduced by Korean Air in 1973, offers exclusive services for elite passengers, providing priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.

1974

Korean Air's 50th anniversary

Korean Air celebrated its 50th anniversary, showcasing its long-standing presence and success in the aviation industry.

1975-03

First Passenger Route to the Americas

In March 1975, the first passenger route to the Americas was launched, connecting Seoul, Tokyo, Honolulu, and Los Angeles. This marked a significant milestone in the airline's history.

1976-12

Passenger Route to Paris

In December 1976, Korean Air launched a passenger route to Paris, serving as a gateway to Europe. This expansion further solidified the airline's global presence.

1979-03

Completion of Helicopter Plant in Gimhae

In March 1979, the helicopter plant in Gimhae, which is currently known as the Busan Tech Center, was completed.

1980

Launch of Passenger Route to New York

In 1980, Korean Air launched a passenger route to New York.

1981-12

Opening of Exclusive Korean Air Cargo Terminal at Los Angeles Airport

In December 1981, an exclusive Korean Air cargo terminal was opened at Los Angeles Airport.

1983-09-01

Korean Air Flight 007 Shot Down

Korean Air Flight 007 was shot down by the Soviet Union on September 1, 1983. All 269 people on board were killed, including a sitting U.S. Congressman, Larry McDonald.

1984-03-01

Introduction of New Corporate Livery and Name Change

Korean Air introduced a new corporate livery and changed its name from Korean Air Lines to Korean Air, marking a significant rebranding effort for the airline.

1986

Supplying parts for Boeing 747-400

In 1986, Korean Air Lines became one of the first airlines to supply Boeing with parts for its aircraft, in the form of a contract to deliver wing-tip extensions for the Boeing 747-400.

1988-08

Establishment of Korean Air headquarters in Seosomun

In August 1988, Korean Air established its headquarters in Seosomun, marking a pivotal moment in the airline's organizational structure.

1990

Expansion of Fleet to 72

In 1990, the airline's fleet expanded to 72 aircraft, demonstrating a remarkable growth in its operational scale and capacity.

1991

First scheduled flight to Moscow

In 1991, Korean Air Lines operated its first scheduled flight from Seoul to Moscow, marking a milestone in its expansion.

1992

Leadership Succession at KAL

In 1992, Cho Yang Ho succeeded his father as president of Korean Air, facing the challenge of navigating the company through a $5 billion debt and potential Korean unification. This leadership transition marked a crucial period for the company's future.

1994-12

Korean Air Flying School Graduation

The first pilots graduated from Korean Air Flying School, marking a significant milestone in the development of aviation expertise in South Korea.

1996

Financial Losses Begin

In 1996, Korean Air experienced financial losses for the first time, amounting to $235.5 million. This marked the beginning of a challenging period for the company's financial stability.

1998

Korean Air's Profit Announcement

In 1998, Korean Air announced a profit of 250 billion won, which was attributed to the company's aircraft purchases and sales of older aircraft in 1997. The results were seen as justifying the company's decisions and reflecting the potential of the Asian and Pacific traffic in the future.

2000-06-23

Korean Air Co-founds SkyTeam Alliance

On 23 June 2000, Korean Air, along with Aeroméxico, Air France, and Delta Air Lines, founded the world's major airline alliance, SkyTeam. This was a significant event that marked Korean Air's collaboration with other major airlines.

2001

FAA Downgrades South Korea's Aviation Safety Rating

In 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration downgraded South Korea's aviation safety rating and blocked South Korean carriers from expanding into the United States due to the country and its carriers' failure to improve sufficiently following a warning the previous year. This had a significant impact on South Korean carriers, including Korean Air.

2002

Korean Air's Safety Improvements Recognized

In 2002, Korean Air's safety improvements were recognized as the airline invested billions of dollars to improve safety, upgrade its fleet, install new technology, and overhaul its corporate culture. This marked a turning point for the airline in terms of safety and reputation.

2004

Top Ranking in International Air Cargo Transportation

In 2004, Korean Air achieved the top ranking in international air cargo transportation, as recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

2005-06

Establishment of Cabin Crew Training Center

In June 2005, Korean Air established a cabin crew training center to enhance the skills and professionalism of its flight attendants.

2005-09

Launch of New Uniform

In September 2005, Korean Air launched a new uniform for its staff.

2006-10

Publication of 'Beyond' In-flight Entertainment Magazine

In October 2006, Korean Air published an in-flight entertainment magazine called 'Beyond'.

2007-06-05

Korean Air Establishes Low-cost Carrier Jin Air

On 5 June 2007, Korean Air announced the creation of a new low-cost carrier called Jin Air in Korea to compete with Korea's KTX high-speed railway network system. This move aimed to offer cheaper fares and less stringent security procedures compared to air travel.

2008-02

Introduction of Korean Language Audio Guide Service at the Louvre

In February 2008, Korean Air started offering Korean language audio guide service at the Louvre in France, aiming to enhance the experience of Korean-speaking visitors.

2008-07

Launch of Jin Air, Korean Air's Low-Cost Subsidiary

In July 2008, Jin Air, Korean Air’s low-cost subsidiary, was launched, expanding the airline's service offerings.

2010-08

Opening of Cargo Terminal at Navoiy International Airport

In August 2010, Hanjin Group, the parent of KAL, inaugurated a new cargo terminal at Navoiy International Airport in Uzbekistan, which was intended to serve as a cargo hub with regular flights between Seoul, Navoi, and Milan.

2011-05

Introduction of First A380-800

In May 2011, the first A380-800 aircraft was introduced by the company.

2012-10

Development deal with Bombardier Aerospace

In October 2012, a development deal was announced between Bombardier Aerospace and a government-led South Korean consortium, including Korea Aerospace Industries and Korean Air, aiming to develop a 90-seat turboprop regional airliner.

2013

Acquisition of 44% Stake in Czech Airlines

In 2013, Korean Air obtained a 44% stake in Czech Airlines, but later sold the stake in October 2017.

2014-08

Addition of 10th A380 Aircraft to Korean Air Fleet

In August 2014, Korean Air added its 10th A380 aircraft to the fleet, featuring a 'hotel in the sky' with innovative seating configurations.

2015

Introduction of Service Plan

Korean Air introduced a new service plan, aiming to elevate the in-flight service quality and customer satisfaction.

2016-06

Opening of World’s Largest Engine Test Center (ETC) on Yeongjong Island

In June 2016, the company opened the world’s largest engine test center (ETC) on Yeongjong Island.

2017-02

Introduction of First B787-9 Dreamliner

In February 2017, the first B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft was introduced by the company.

2017-12

Delivery of Korean Air's First Airbus A220 300 Aircraft

In December 2017, Korean Air took delivery of its first Airbus A220 300 (Bombardier CS300) aircraft, becoming the first airline in Asia to introduce this type of aircraft.

2018-05-01

Launch of Joint Venture Partnership with Delta Air Lines

On 1 May 2018, Korean Air initiated a joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines.

2019-06

Hosted the 75th IATA annual general meeting

In June 2019, Korean Air hosted the 75th IATA annual general meeting, showcasing its role in the aviation industry.

2020-06-05

Ownership Structure of Korean Air

As of 5 June 2020, Korean Air is majority controlled by Hanjin KAL Corporation, with Hanjin KAL holding 29.27% of Korean Air shares.

2021-03

Delay in Merger with Asiana Airlines

In March 2021, KAL announced that the merger with Asiana Airlines will be delayed as foreign authorities have not approved the deal.

2021-10

Korean Air finalizes Asiana cargo business sale

Korean Air is set to complete the sale of Asiana's cargo business by October, marking a significant development in the aviation industry.

2022

Korean Air Flight 631 Runway Overrun

In 2022, Korean Air Flight 631 overran the runway at Cebu, Philippines while attempting to land under poor weather conditions, resulting in the last aircraft write-off for Korean Air.

2023

Korean Air Flight Attendant Radiation Exposure Ruling

In 2023, the state-affiliated Korea Worker's Compensation and Welfare Service ruled that the cancer death of a flight attendant was akin to an industrial accident due to radiation exposure during flights to Europe and America. There was a dispute regarding the measurement of radiation exposure by Korean Air.

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Korean Air