Korean Air to launch daily Incheon–Newark flights in May 2027

Korean Air plans to launch daily nonstop flights between Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Newark (EWR) from 22 May 2027, using a Boeing 777-300ER, according to One Mile at a Time. The route will give travellers between South Korea and the New York area a third carrier option alongside United Airlines and Air Premia.

Schedule and aircraft

One Mile at a Time reports the following timings for the Korean Air service:

• KE97 Incheon to Newark: departs 10:00pm, arrives 11:00pm
• KE98 Newark to Incheon: departs 1:00am, arrives 5:15am the following day

The 6,896-mile route is blocked at 14 hours towards the United States and 15 hours 15 minutes towards South Korea. The 777-300ER is configured with 277 seats: eight in first class, 42 in business class and 227 in economy.

A return to Newark

The outlet describes the launch as technically a resumption. Korean Air served Newark until September 2001, suspended flights after the 9/11 attacks and did not restart them. The new route will sit alongside Korean Air’s existing New York Kennedy service, which typically operates twice daily, and the report says there are no plans to cut it. The airline’s other US destinations include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington Dulles.

A busier market

Several years ago no airline flew nonstop between Incheon and Newark. According to One Mile at a Time, Air Premia began the route in May 2023 with a Boeing 787, and United followed in September 2026, also with a 787. Korean Air’s timings are described as very similar to Air Premia’s in both directions. The result would be three daily flights on three airlines.

The outlet links the move to Korean Air’s takeover of Asiana. It says the combined airline will not need as many frequencies on routes such as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco as the two carriers operated separately, freeing capacity for new markets. It also notes Korean Air’s transpacific joint venture with Delta, which allows coordination of fares and schedules. The writer argues Newark can serve parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and Korean customers, including students in the region.

What this means for travellers

• From 22 May 2027, travellers can fly nonstop between Incheon and Newark on a full-service carrier with first, business and economy cabins.
• The late-evening departure from Incheon and early-morning departure from Newark may suit connections, though the sources do not detail onward links.
• Three airlines on the route may increase choice. The source does not report fares, and any effect on prices is not yet known.
• Passengers who prefer Newark to Kennedy now have an alternative with Korean Air, which will keep serving both airports.

Booking dates and launch fares have not been reported.

Sources: One Mile at a Time