SEOUL, South Korea, 9 November 2026: Air Premia is strengthening its competitive edge in the US market by delivering more spacious seating on its long-haul services and by expanding its route network, providing more travel options for passengers flying between the US and South Korea.
Recognising the vital importance of personal space on long-haul flights, Air Premia has prioritised offering at least 33 inches of seat pitch in economy class. To further enhance passenger comfort across its long-haul operations, the airline recently retrofitted an aircraft previously configured with a 31-inch seat pitch to meet this higher standard.
The Boeing 787-9 entered service with its updated seating layout on 31 October, offering a 33-inch economy seat pitch, up from the previous 31 inches. To achieve this upgrade, total seating capacity was reduced by 18 seats, from 344 to 326, an approximate 5.2% reduction per aircraft. This adjustment underscores Air Premia’s commitment to providing passengers with more personal space on transpacific routes.
With this modification, eight of Air Premia’s nine Boeing 787-9 aircraft now feature an economy seat pitch of 33 inches or more. The airline plans to reconfigure its remaining aircraft during the first half of 2027, aligned with scheduled overseas maintenance and operational timelines.
In addition to economy class, Air Premia offers an elevated travel experience in premium economy class. Featuring 42 to 46 inches of seat pitch, wider seats, and premium onboard amenities, Premium Economy provides a superior environment for long-haul travellers. Passengers can select the option that best fits their travel needs, budgets, and seating preferences.
Air Premia’s market position is supported by its expanding flight network. The airline currently serves five US destinations: Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Washington, DC, offering versatile options between the US and South Korea through its Incheon hub.
The carrier is also broadening its Asian network. Air Premia currently flies to three Asian cities — Bangkok, Tokyo (Narita), and Hong Kong. Starting in December, the airline will launch phased services to Ho Chi Minh City, Sapporo, and Ningbo.
These additions will further strengthen Air Premia’s regional network, offering broader itinerary options for travellers connecting between major US and Asian cities via Incheon.
“For long-haul travellers, personal space, cabin environment, and product choice are essential factors in the overall flight experience,” said an Air Premia spokesperson. “Air Premia will continue to expand travel options by delivering seating configurations and in-flight services built for long-haul comfort, while further growing our global network.”
Air Premia operates a fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft and connects Seoul with major destinations across North America and Asia. Its US network includes Los Angeles, Newark (New York), San Francisco, Honolulu, and Washington, DC (Dulles). The airline also serves major Asian destinations, including Bangkok, Tokyo (Narita), and Hong Kong, with new services to Ho Chi Minh City, Sapporo, and Ningbo scheduled to launch in December 2026.
(Source: Air Premia)
