Korean Air will launch Airbus A380 service between Los Angeles International Airport and Seoul in October, becoming the second carrier to fly the super jumbo aircraft into LAX.
Los Angeles will be Korean Air’s only destination on the U.S. West Coast when the airline introduces A380 service worldwide to five major cities. The airline now has four daily departures from LAX to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.
Qantas Airways began flying the 525-seat long-haul jetliner into LAX in late 2008. The next-generation jets, which are considered quieter, more fuel-efficient and less polluting than other jumbo jets, allow for spacious “lie-flat” premium seating, which Korean Air also plans to offer.
“We are devoting the aircraft’s entire second level to 94 lie-flat, business-class seats, so it’s going to be a unique experience,” said Vice President of Marketing John Jackson in a statement. Korean Air’s jets will have only 407 seats, including 12 first-class and 301 economy-class seats on the first level and 94 Prestige seats on the all-business-class upper level.
Safety concerns about the A380 surfaced in November after a mid-air engine blast during a Qantas flight lead to the planes being grounded for extensive safety checks. Qantas resumed flying the jets into LAX this week.