Korean Air just made huge changes to its look, dining and inflight amenities
![[Photo 9]](/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frunway-media-production.global.ssl.fastly.net%2Fus%2Foriginals%2F2025%2F03%2FPhoto-9-scaled.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
For Korean Air, it's out with the old and in with the new.
South Korea's flag carrier unveiled its first major brand redesign since 1984, alongside a new livery, new inflight dining and upgraded onboard experiences across various cabins.
The airline shared a simplified, muted take on its iconic taegeuk logo at a media event attended by TPG at Gimpo International Airport (GMP) near Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday.
The new logo trades the previous iteration's blue, red and white hues for a more minimalist, subdued design. The logo, Korean Air explained in a statement, is inspired by a traditional Korean hat dance called "Sangmo."
The simplified, modern branding was on full display when the airline unveiled its new blue-and-white livery on a Boeing 787-10. The simplified taeguek symbol dominates the plane's fin, while "KOREAN," written with "subtle brushstroke-inspired details" and "smooth curves and open connections," takes up the front section of the aircraft. A new metallic paint makes the airline's signature sky-blue coloring feel more luxurious, the airline says, while a flowing, curved line dancing on the bottom of the fuselage rounds out the exterior changes coming to Korean's fleet.
Though the livery is void of red, the airline's old brand colors will still be on display in a new way on airport check-in screens, SkyPass cards and online. They'll also be seen in innovative new ways throughout airports, in Korean Air lounges and on board flights in the near future.
New inflight dining, amenity kits and more
Korean Air also unveiled its new inflight and lounge dining experiences, crafted by Seakyeong Kim, the Korean chef behind popular Seoul restaurants Cesta and Hue135.
"We realized we needed to change," David Pacey, executive vice president of inflight service and lounges, said during a press conference highlighting the new menu. "It was time for us to do something different."
New dishes include salmon bibimbap, spicy stir-fried octopus with pork, tofu pad thai, spicy eggplant stir-fry, and rose pasta in economy class, and octopus nurungji rice, beef brisket bibimbap and royal hot pot — served on new china — in premium cabins.
And, Pacey highlighted, the airline is introducing a Korean staple on board for the very first time across all classes: kimchi.
First-class passengers can enjoy upgraded bedding and slippers by Italian brand Frette, a staple of luxury hotels, and new Air Coil mattresses from Eco World. First class and business class, or Prestige, as it's known on Korean Air, will also enjoy new amenity kits from Graff, a British luxury brand.
These new services will launch Wednesday on 10 long-haul routes, including New York, Paris and London flights. All of Korean's long-haul routes will be upgraded by June, with medium- and short-haul routes joining the fray in September.
Last year, the airline launched Prestige 2.0 business-class suites.
Asiana merger is official
The new brand identity and inflight upgrades come as Korean and Asiana Airlines, South Korea's two major airlines, continue to work through a major merger that was finalized in late 2024 following years of international regulatory speedbumps. But, with the green light now secured, the merger strengthens Korean's position as South Korea's dominant brand — which is getting the update as the company prepares to fold Asiana, currently a subsidiary, into the airline following a two-year integration process. However, Korean Air's new brand identity feels void of any pieces of Asiana, a brand that will cease to exist once that two-year period is over, according to The Korea Times.
View this post on Instagram
Related reading:
- Reviewing every cabin on a 16-hour Korean Air flight
- A highly curated guide to the 8 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea
- The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
- Best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees