To choose between Asiana and Korean Air, it’s essential to assess which factors matter most to you. Both airlines provide premium cabins, free checked bags and seat selection on most flights as well as travel credit card benefits.
Korean Air has made efforts to address competition authorities’ concerns about this merger.
Inflight Experience
Asiana and Korean Air both offer top-of-the-line inflight services, from comfortable seating, great entertainment options and delicious meals to attentive cabin crews and delicious meals. Both airlines are recognized for providing unparalleled levels of customer service with distinctive Korean Hospitality signature service, but Korean Air stands out with their signature offering – offering unmatched levels of hospitality!
Both airlines provide an extensive variety of flight schedules and destinations; however, Korean Air stands out with its larger fleet and more extensive international route coverage – plus membership of SkyTeam alliance offering flights to over 1,300 global destinations!
An important consideration when selecting an airline is their punctuality record. Both have impressive on-time performance records; however delays may arise due to unanticipated circumstances.
Read This Gist: What Are The Chances of Getting on a Standby Flight? 3 Ways to Increase The Odd.
The merger between these airlines has yet to be finalized and has faced delays and challenges from competition authorities in Europe, Japan and the US. There have also been worries that it would give too much market power on certain routes.
The merger is projected to be finalized by 2024; however, its completion could be further postponed should Korean Air fail to secure antitrust approval in key markets and give up some valuable airport slots, potentially decreasing profitability and hampering growth potential.
Loyalty Programs
Asiana and Korean Air both offer exceptional loyalty programs, but which one is superior? NerdWallet compares both airlines based on several key considerations that matter to travelers.
Korean Air offers superior cabin experiences across its classes and free checked bags on most flights. Furthermore, its extensive route network and travel credit cards for U.S. residents make their experience all the more compelling. SkyPass rewards program features remarkable redemption rates; however it does not transfer points 1:1 with partner airlines like American or Delta; plus its valuable award chart will expire by 2023.
Korean Air stands out for its inflight dining service. Even economy class passengers enjoy numerous benefits with Korean Air’s offering: leaving winter coats at the airport for safekeeping, requesting airport wakeup calls, or booking Economy Smartium seats for added legroom.
Korean Air is well-renowned for its exceptional customer service. They respond swiftly to feedback or complaints, understand the significance of a positive flight experience for customers, and value their opinions. Furthermore, Korean Air boasts numerous awards for its superior customer care – which includes having a dedicated team dedicated to handling flight disruptions; complimentary massages onboard flights as well as access to lounges – making Korean Air an excellent choice for frequent business travelers.
Baggage Policy
Both airlines offer comparable baggage policies; both offer free checked bags on domestic flights and generous allowances on international routes. However, baggage fees may make a significant difference to overall value; thus it is essential to identify your priorities such as service quality and destination network when selecting an airline. Consider joining a frequent flyer program for added benefits while avoiding extra baggage fees.
Asiana and Korean Air allow one piece of carry-on baggage per passenger on all domestic and international flights; the size of your luggage may determine if additional charges apply; carry-on bags cannot exceed 115 cm total sum dimensions with exception for infant car seats and strollers; while for international flights travelers with First or Prestige Class tickets may bring one additional bag per ticket class class.
Both airlines offer competitive baggage policies and exceptional customer service, and their customer service number can be used at any time to assist with travel-related problems. You can add this number directly to your phone for quick and easy access or use it to report issues such as lost or damaged bags on flights.
Pricing
Both airlines provide authentic offerings and comfortable travel experiences, but your decision should depend on various elements such as unique locations you plan to visit or the pleasant carrier you prefer for overall flight enjoyment. Pricing policy is also an important consideration as fare prices can fluctuate based on seasonal demand, route popularity or special promotions; both airlines also provide options to upgrade through loyalty program benefits.
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Korean Air and Asiana both offer competitive fare prices; however, each airline provides different baggage policies and mileage redemption rates. Recently, Korean Air switched from region-based award chart to distance-based award chart which increased redemption rates, while Asiana still follows region-based award charts.
Korean Air and Asiana proposed merging as a means of saving its struggling operations at that time, however it did not receive approval from foreign antitrust authorities.
The KFTC’s conditional decision reflects both foreign antitrust regulators and concerns over monopolistic pricing by the combined carrier, placing conditions such as prohibiting it from increasing fares or decreasing capacity in certain routes that lack competition, as well as surrendering slots which were later acquired by Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) to secure US and EU merger approval.