Korean Air set to restore Las Vegas flights dropped during pandemic
As South Korea opens up -- quarantine-free to all travelers regardless of their vaccination status -- the country's flagship airline is taking steps to ramp up its international service by restoring more of the long-haul routes it suspended during the pandemic.
Starting in July, Korean Air will resume nonstop service to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). It's part of a broader expansion of long-haul service that will also include flights to Milan and Vienna for the first time since early 2020.
While travelers from South Korea will undoubtedly celebrate this nonstop service as an easier link to all Las Vegas has to offer, resuming this route also means more options for getting to Seoul, particularly from a U.S. airport that is ranked among America's busiest. It also means Delta SkyMiles members have additional options to book award flights to Seoul through the SkyTeam Alliance partnership.
Korean Air's service between Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Las Vegas will run three times a week and will supplement the destinations the carrier already serves in the U.S. including Los Angeles (LAX), Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), Washington-Dulles (IAD), New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK), Atlanta (ATL) and Boston (BOS).
The airline will operate flights between Incheon and Vegas on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays beginning July 10 aboard its fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The flight to Seoul will depart at 12:10 p.m. PT, arriving at 5:40 p.m. in South Korea the following day. On the way back to the U.S., travelers will depart at 2:10 p.m. local time, arriving in Las Vegas at 10:10 a.m. PT.
Related: 5 things to know about Korean Air SkyPass
As far as pricing, you're certainly not going to find a huge bargain if you're looking to get a seat on board one of these nonstop flights soon after the service resumes. Plugging in a round trip between Las Vegas and Seoul for late July, I found an economy ticket for $2,705.
South Korea's COVID-19 restrictions
According to the latest changes from Visit Korea, the country lifted its quarantine requirement even for unvaccinated visitors. This comes a couple of months after TPG reported the quarantine requirement ended for travelers who are vaccinated.
South Korea has not done away with its testing, though. If you book one of these flights, you'll have to undergo a COVID-19 test before you travel and get a PCR test within three days of your arrival in the country.
Of course, thanks to the U.S. eliminating its testing requirement for international travelers, you'll no longer have to undergo a test before you travel back home.
Related: How to get to South Korea on points and miles
Bottom line
As international travel picks up this summer airlines are continuing to restore flights. In the case of Korean Air, officials say this will be a gradual process, with the expectation of restoring more international service over time.
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