Asiana Airlines and Korean Air are South Korea's two full-service international carriers, both based at Seoul Incheon and Gimpo and both flying across Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania. Travellers compare them because they often serve the same city pairs from Seoul, and because the two are about to become one airline.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service airlines, and the choice matters mainly for flights before the merger date of 17 December 2026. Korean Air has the bigger network and a larger fleet, so it suits most travellers. Asiana suits those who want Star Alliance benefits until that alliance exit, or who hold Asiana Club miles. For travel after mid-December 2026, check which airline operates the flight, because Korean Air is due to absorb Asiana.
Choose Asiana Airlines if…
- Choose Asiana if you collect Star Alliance miles on flights before the merger, when it is due to leave the alliance.
- Choose Asiana if you want to fly the A380 First Suite or the Business Smartium cabin on routes where they operate.
- Choose Asiana if you hold Asiana Club miles and want to spend them under existing rules before the programme changes.
Choose Korean Air if…
- Choose Korean Air if you want the wider network: about 108 destinations against Asiana's roughly 78, including the Middle East.
- Choose Korean Air if you earn SkyTeam miles through SKYPASS and want a continuing programme beyond the merger.
- Choose Korean Air if you want a Premium Economy cabin between Economy and Prestige business class.
At a glance
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Key differences
Merger and timing
Korean Air holds 63.9% of Asiana, and Asiana still flies under its own brand. Integration is planned for 17 December 2026, when Korean Air will absorb Asiana's assets, liabilities and employees, and the Asiana brand is expected to be phased out gradually. Anyone booking beyond that date should check which airline will operate the flight. Seat, service and schedule changes may follow over time.
Network and hubs
Both use Seoul Incheon and Gimpo as hubs. Korean Air lists about 108 destinations, with Busan and Jeju as focus cities and service to the Middle East as well as Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania. Asiana serves about 78 destinations, with Jeju as its focus city. On shared Seoul routes the choice often comes down to timings and fare rather than coverage, but Korean Air offers more onward options.
Cabins and seats
Asiana sells First Suite (A380 only), First, Business Smartium, Business and Travel (economy). Korean Air sells First (on selected aircraft), Prestige (business), Premium Economy and Economy. A notable difference is that Korean Air lists a Premium Economy cabin. Layouts vary by aircraft on both, so check the seat map for your flight. Asiana plans to retire its six A380s before 2030 and has been taking delivery of A350-900s since 2025.
Baggage
Korean Air's international allowance is typically one 23 kg bag in Economy and Premium Economy, two 32 kg bags in Prestige and three 32 kg bags in First (trip.com, 2026). Check Asiana's website for the allowance on your fare and route.
Loyalty and alliances
Asiana is in Star Alliance with Asiana Club; Korean Air is a founding SkyTeam member with SKYPASS. Asiana is due to leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam as part of the merger. Programme integration is still being finalised, so mileage rules may change.
Fleet and safety
Korean Air's mainline fleet is about 169 aircraft, and in September 2026 it finalised an order for 103 Boeing aircraft (AviTrader). Asiana operates 67 aircraft, with 27 on order. Korean Air had several fatal accidents in the 1990s but its record has improved markedly since the 2000s, and it is rated Skytrax 5-star (2024). Asiana's Flight OZ214 crashed on landing at San Francisco in 2013.
Frequently asked questions
Is Korean Air better than Asiana?
Korean Air is the larger airline with more destinations and a Premium Economy cabin, and it is rated Skytrax 5-star (2024). Asiana is also full-service, and the two are merging from 17 December 2026, so the difference may narrow.
Are Asiana and Korean Air the same airline?
Not yet. Korean Air owns 63.9% of Asiana, but Asiana flies under its own brand. Korean Air is due to absorb it on 17 December 2026.
Do Asiana and Korean Air include checked baggage?
On Korean Air international fares the allowance is typically one 23 kg bag in Economy and two 32 kg bags in Prestige. Check Asiana's rules for your fare and route.
Which alliance is each airline in?
Asiana is in Star Alliance and Korean Air is in SkyTeam. Asiana is due to leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam as part of the merger.
About Asiana Airlines Read more
Overview
Asiana Airlines (IATA OZ, ICAO AAR) is a South Korean full-service carrier. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 17 February 1988 as Seoul Airlines and began operations on 23 December 1988. It is headquartered in Osoe-dong, Gangseo District, Seoul, and is a member of Star Alliance. Korean Air holds 63.9% of the company; Korea Development Bank owned it from 2020 to 2024, and the Kumho Asiana Group before that.
Merger status: Asiana still flies under its own brand. ch-aviation reports that both boards approved a merger agreement on 13 May 2026. Integration is planned for 17 December 2026, when Korean Air will absorb Asiana's assets, liabilities and employees. The Asiana brand is expected to be phased out gradually. Travellers booking beyond that date should check which airline will operate their flight.
Network and hubs
Wikipedia lists Seoul Incheon and Seoul Gimpo as hubs, with Jeju as a focus city. It reports service to about 78 destinations, with international routes across Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania.
Fleet
Wikipedia's fleet table, retrieved in October 2026, shows 67 aircraft in service and 27 on order. The types are:
- Airbus A321-200 and A321neo
- Airbus A330-300
- Airbus A350-900, with deliveries from 2025
- Airbus A380-800 (6 aircraft), due to be retired before 2030
- Boeing 777-200ER
On board
Wikipedia says Asiana offers five classes: First Suite, First, Business Smartium, Business and Travel (economy). First Suite is flown on the A380. Seat layouts and entertainment systems differ by aircraft and route, so check the specific flight. Seat pitch, meal and Wi-Fi details were not confirmed in the sources used.
Good to know
- Baggage allowances, change fees and lounge access were not verified for this profile. Check the airline's website for your fare.
- The loyalty programme is Asiana Club, with five tiers: Silver, Gold, Diamond, Diamond Plus and Platinum. ch-aviation reports that the two airlines are consulting the Korea Fair Trade Commission on merging their frequent-flyer programmes, so mileage rules may change.
- No on-time performance figure was found with a clear source and period.
About Korean Air Read more
Overview
Korean Air is the flag carrier of South Korea and, by Wikipedia's account, its largest airline by fleet size, international destinations and international flights. The company traces its history to Korean Air Lines, founded in June 1962 as a state-owned carrier. The Hanjin Group acquired it in 1969, and Hanjin remains the owner. Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and has been rated a Skytrax 5-star airline.
Korean Air completed its acquisition of a major stake in Asiana Airlines on 12 December 2024. According to ch-aviation, Korean Air will absorb Asiana on 17 December 2026. FlightGlobal reported in August 2026 that the board and Asiana shareholders had approved the merger. Until then, Asiana still operates under its own name.
Network and hubs
- Main hubs: Seoul Incheon and Seoul Gimpo.
- Focus cities: Busan and Jeju.
- Wikipedia lists about 108 destinations; the carrier serves Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania and the Middle East, plus domestic routes.
Fleet
Wikipedia, retrieved in September 2026, gives a mainline fleet of about 169 aircraft. This figure excludes Asiana and the group's low-cost carriers (Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul). In September 2026 AviTrader reported that Korean Air had finalised an order for 103 Boeing aircraft: 20 777-9s, 25 787-10s, 50 737-10s and eight 777-8 Freighters. Its stated long-term plan standardises on the Boeing 777, 787 and 737 and the Airbus A350 and A321neo, according to Economy Class & Beyond.
On board
- Cabins: First (on selected aircraft), Prestige (business), Premium Economy and Economy.
- Entertainment: the seatback system offers films, TV, music and games. Wikipedia notes that some aircraft have Bluetooth headphone connectivity and Wi-Fi.
- Seat pitch and meal details vary by aircraft and route; check the airline's website when booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: a 2026 trip.com guide gives international checked allowances of one 23 kg piece in Economy and Premium Economy, two 32 kg pieces in Prestige and three 32 kg pieces in First. Allowances differ on domestic and some regional routes, so confirm on koreanair.com.
- Loyalty: the frequent-flyer programme is SKYPASS, and it is part of the SkyTeam network.
- Safety: the airline was once known for fatal accidents, but its record has improved significantly since the early 2000s.
- Asiana merger: expect schedule, branding and alliance changes around 17 December 2026. Asiana is due to leave Star Alliance and join SkyTeam, according to AwardFares.
Sources (7)
- Asiana Airlines - Wikipedia
- Korean Air - Wikipedia
- ch-aviation: Korean Air to merge with Asiana Airlines in late 4Q26
- trip.com: Korean Air Baggage Allowance 2026
- Cabin Zero: Asiana Airlines Baggage Allowance 2026
- The Asia Business Daily: Korean Air–Asiana Merger and mileage
- AviTrader: Korean Air finalises order for 103 Boeing aircraft
Ranking
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