Korean Air to operate lowest density A380 configuration

Korean Air’s configuration marks the lowest density A380 configuration to date with the carrier to become the only carrier to have the entire second floor of A380 dedicated to the business class product. 

Known A380 configurations  

Airline	First	Business	Premium economy	Economy	Total
Korean Air	12	94	-	301	407
Skymark	-	-	-	-	400-450
Qantas	14	72	32	332	450
Singapore Airlines	12	60	-	399	471
Emirates (ultra long range)	14	76	-	399	489
Air France	9	80	38	389	516
Emirates (long range)	14	76	-	427	517
Lufthansa	9	98		420	526
Air France	9	80	-	499	538
Emirates (medium range)	-	-	-	-	600
Air Austral	0	0	0	About 840	About 840

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and airline reports

The upgrade coincides with a recovery in premium traffic demand and is part of efforts by the Seoul-based carrier to reposition itself as a leading premium carrier. As previously noted in a separate report -  Cathay unveils new Business class product; Flurry of worldwide overhaul activity – a number of carriers in the region there has been a flurry of overhaul activity recently, particularly focussed around premium product upgrades, in the belief that this is the key to their financial success.

Meanwhile, there has been speculation that Singapore Airlines will extend the business-class cabin on all new A380s to cover the entire upper deck, beginning with the May-2011 arrival of the carrier's 12th A380. The carrier has not confirmed or denied the plans with the carrier stating only: “It is possible that we may have a different configuration for some of the aircraft. But as of now we don't have any specific detail. We don't comment on speculation, and specifically with regards to aircraft configuration, for reasons of confidentiality."

Korean to have 94 lie-flat business sleepers; 74-inch seat pitch

Korean Air's 94 lie-flat business sleepers will offer 74-inche seat pitch and extra large seat partitions. This makes Korean Air’s business-class A380 product one of the most generous for seat pitch, although Qantas Airways does have a more generous seat pitch. The Korean Air configuration is designed to “further reinforce” the carrier’s reputation as a leading premium passenger flight service provider.

In service A380 business-class configurations

Airline	Seat Pitch	Seat Width	Video Type	Laptop Power
Air France	55.0"	34.0"	Personal TV	None
Emirates	48"	18.5"	Personal TV	AC Power
Lufthansa	57-60.0"	19.6"	Personal TV	None
Qantas Airways	80.0"	21.5"	Personal TV	None
Singapore Airlines	55.0"	34.0"	Personal TV	None

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and SeatGuru

Korean Air Senior VP and Head of Passenger Business Division Walter Cho commented: "Korean Air's A380 is one of the most spacious in the industry when you consider that our economy class seats are spaced almost three feet apart and our Prestige Class pitch is over six feet. That's a comfort level that will provide us with a competitive edge.”

Mr Cho added that the unique configuration will allow Korean Air business flyers "to feel exclusivity like they're traveling in their own private jet", adding: “This innovative approach to dedicate an entire floor for a single class will be benchmarked by other airlines."

Largest economy-seat pitch

The carrier will have 34-inch seat pitch in economy class, making it the most spacious economy A380 configuration to date. 

In service A380 economy-class configurations

Airline	Seat Pitch	Seat Width	Video Type	Laptop Power
Air France	32.0"	19.0"	Personal TV	None
Emirates	32.0"	18.0"	Personal TV	AC Power
Lufthansa	31.0"	20.5"	Personal TV	None
Qantas Airways	31.0"	18.1"	Personal TV	None
Singapore Airlines	32.0"	19.0"	Personal TV	None

Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation and SeatGuru

A380 service to be launched on services to Japan and East Asia in May-2011

The airline will launch its A380s on short-haul routes to Japan and East Asia in May-2011 and then expand to US and European routes in Aug-2011. Korean Air has ordered 10 A380 aircraft with the first five to be delivered by the end of 2011 and an additional five by 2014.