April 20, 2024

• 

Korean Air said on May 1 it will start reducing first class cabins on some international routes next month in a move to operate routes effectively and boost profitability.

Airlines traditionally have three travel classes -- first, business and economy.

Korean Air has provided three travel classes on 62 routes out of its 111 international routes, while operating business and economy class cabins on 49 routes, the company said in a statement.

“The company has decided not to operate first class cabins on 27 additional routes starting June 1 due to low demand for the highest class cabins,” the statement said.

Following the readjustment, business and economy classes will be available on 76 international routes, and three travel classes will be operated on 35 routes, Korean Air said.

In 2018, Korean Air shifted to a net loss of 186 billion won ($160 million) from a net profit of 802 billion won a year earlier, due to hefty currency-related losses.

By Ram Garikipati and newswires (ram@heraldcorp.com)