In trial, Korean Air ups domestic business seats

To compete with the many forms of domestic transport, including the KTX express train, airlines have adopted different strategies to lure business travelers.
Korean Air, the largest local airline, is expanding the number of its business seats, whereas Asiana Airlines is holding that number steady, instead providing free tickets to premium customers.
Until recently, Korean Air had flown the Gimpo-Busan route mostly using Boeing 737s, which have eight seats in business class and 180 in economy. The company has temporarily added five Airbus 300-600s, which each have 24 business class seats and a total of 276. The trial is set to expire March 24, but may return if it’s successful, said a Korean Air employee.
“To serve our frequent flyers better is one reason for the change,” said Oh Seok-joong, assistant general manager at Korean Air. The firm emphasizes premium services to compete with KTX.
Asiana usually only provides economy class seats on domestic routes, but if a plane with business seats happens to fly a domestic route, the firm upgrades its loyal customers.

By Hwang Young-jin Staff Writer [yhwang@joongang.co.kr]