Home > Business > Industry

Korean Air scraps premium seat fees for domestic flights after backlash

Published: 12 Dec. 2024, 14:47 Updated: 13 Dec. 2024, 10:28

CHO YONG-JUN
[email protected]

Korean Air had previously planned to charge additional fees for domestic flight economy seats with extra legroom and front-row seats. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Korean Air reversed its decision to impose additional fees for certain domestic flight seats on Thursday, just days after announcing the policy, following backlash from consumers.

The airline had said it would begin charging additional fees for domestic economy seats with extra legroom and front-row seating starting Saturday. Previously, seat selection on domestic flights did not incur a fee.

Consumers remain wary of potential price hikes following the flagship carrier's approved acquisition of Asiana Airlines, Korea's second-largest carrier. Earlier this week, the government said it would work to "minimize the monopoly" resulting from the merger by monitoring airfares, mileage policies and services.

Korean Air said it decided to withdraw the additional charges for premium seating options due to "excessive concerns about the change that went against the initial aim of improving services."

"We had implemented the policy to offer customers the chance to purchase front-row seats and board and get their luggage first," Korean Air said in a statement Friday.

Under the policy change, seats with extra legroom, including exit row seats, would have incurred an additional fee of 15,000 won ($10.50), while seats at the front of the aircraft — referred to as preferred seats — were priced at 10,000 won.

Both seating options would have included priority handling of checked baggage, as announced Monday.

Since 2021, the airline has charged additional fees for extra legroom or front-row seats on international flights, depending on the ticket’s booking class. Tickets under booking class Y, B, and M can select extra legroom and front-row seats at no extra charge, while other booking classes require a $30 to $150 fee depending on the flight's duration.

Update, Dec. 13: Amended to reflect Korean Air's decision to reverse the fee introduction.

BY CHO YONG-JUN [[email protected]]