Korean Air debuts exciting new business-class product with doors
Korean Air is launching a new business-class product — and it's debuting in just a few days.
The Seoul-based airline shared details of what it's calling the Prestige Suites 2.0, the airline announced in a Monday press release.
Korean's new product is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for every passenger. The new product is a customized version of the Collins Aerospace Horizon product.
Value check: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Perhaps the biggest news about the seats is that they'll all feature sliding privacy doors that measure 52 inches high. These doors should definitely help provide travelers with a better sense of personal space.
Additionally, the center seats can be converted into a "honeymoon" arrangement when the privacy divider between these seats is lowered.
Other bells and whistles include Qi wireless charging pads, 60-watt USB-C fast-charging outlets and 24-inch TV screens.
This next-generation Prestige Suite will debut on Korean's Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, the first of which is expected to be inaugurated later this month. Korean has 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners on order, and each jet will feature a 36-seat business-class cabin.
The new product is also expected to be retrofitted onto the existing Boeing 777-300ER fleet, though no timeline was provided for this cabin overhaul project.
Korean currently plans to inaugurate the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner featuring the new Prestige Suites on Tuesday, on a flight from Seoul to Tokyo.
Korean Air plans to deploy this new jet on long-haul routes such as the Seoul to Vancouver, as well as to points in the western United States and Europe in the coming months.
In addition to the new business-class seats, Korean's 787-10s will be the first to feature Wi-Fi connectivity. No further details were shared about the carrier's internet packages, but we'll update this story if we hear back from a carrier representative.
Korean's primary existing business-class product, the Apex Suite, already offers a top-notch experience, so it remains to be seen how travelers like this new seat.
While the window seats in the Apex configuration offer plenty of personal space and privacy, frequent flyers sometimes complain that these seats are too narrow.
The good news is that the new Prestige Suites 2.0 will offer 46 inches of pitch and measure 21 inches wide. The lie-flat beds will measure up to 79 inches, so hopefully, this will allay some of the concerns with the existing product.
Plus, it remains to be seen if Korean will adopt this new product as its new standard after the merger with Asiana Airlines, a process that's expected to be fully approved later this year.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The 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
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.