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Korean Air to Launch Nonstop Service to Boston in 2019

Aug. 06, 2018
3 min read
Korean Air 787-9 Dreamliner Tour Business First Economy
Korean Air to Launch Nonstop Service to Boston in 2019
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Korean Air announced on Monday that it's adding another East Coast US destination to its route network. Beginning spring 2019, Korean will launch nonstop service between Seoul (ICN) and Boston (BOS).

According to One Mile at a Time, the 5x weekly service will launch on April 12, 2019. However, at this time, the new nonstop flights are not showing on Korean's site. The route will operate on the following schedule on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays:

  • KE89 Seoul (ICN) 9:30am Departure ⇒ Boston (BOS) 10:30am Arrival
  • KE90 Boston (BOS) 1:30pm Departure ⇒ Seoul (ICN) 4:50pm (+1) Arrival

The 6,828-mile flight will be operated by one of Korean's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Korean's 789s featured a three-cabin configuration — first, Prestige (business) and economy. Interestingly enough, the carrier's 789s feature the same seat in both first and business — an APEX seat. The only major difference between the two seats is that the in-flight entertainment screen in first class is considerably larger.

More specifically, in the first-class cabin, you can expect to find one row of six lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. Each of the seats features 82 inches of pitch and is 20.8 inches wide. Check this guide for information on which first class seats are best.

First class on Korean's 789. Photo by Zach Honig.

In Prestige class, you can expect the same 2-2-2 configuration. However, in this business-class cabin, there are a total of 18 seats, with each offering 75 inches of pitch and the same 20.8 inches of width. Check this guide for information on which business class seats are best.

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Business class on Korean's 789. Photo by Zach Honig.

The economy cabin features 247 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. Each offers a generous 33-34 inches of pitch and 18 inches of width. Check this guide for information on which economy seats are best.

Economy on Korean's 789. Photo by Zach Honig.

Delta and Korean recently finalized a joint venture agreement, allowing passengers to connect seamlessly to each other's route network. In addition, Delta flyers can now earn elite miles when flying with Korean, as well as being able to use Delta global upgrade certificates when flying with the carrier. Once the BOS route launches, Korean will serve a total of 11 US destinations — Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA) and Washington, DC (IAD).

As of time of publication, the flights are not yet loaded on Korean's site and are therefore not bookable. However, Korean's SkyPass program is known for offering some great award sweet spots. A round-trip award between BOS and ICN will cost 160,000 miles in first, 125,000 miles in business or 70,000 miles in coach. (During peak season, those rates jump to 240,000 miles, 185,000 miles or 105,000 miles for first, business and coach, respectively.) Check out this guide of five things to know about the SkyPass program so you're ready to book when the tickets do become available.

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4XEarn 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.
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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $6,000 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.