DALLAS — Korean Air (KE) has announced the deployment of its brand-new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on the Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Bangkok (BKK) route, starting August 1. This makes Thailand, the first Southeast Asian country to be served by its newest widebody aircraft.

The SkyTeam Alliance carrier currently operates four daily (28 weekly) flights on the ICN - BKK route. Starting on August 1, six of those weekly flights will be operated by the Boeing 787-10. This number will increase to 12 weekly flights by August 8, as reported by TTR Weekly.

Korean Air's Boeing 787-10 boasts a cabin featuring 36 business class and 289 economy class seats. The airline's new Prestige Suites 2.0, offering lie-flat seats with ample legroom and personal 4K monitors, is making its debut on this aircraft. Economy class passengers can also enjoy enhanced comfort with larger personal monitors and increased seat pitch.

Strong Passenger Demand, Market Growth

The decision to deploy the brand-new Boeing 787-10 on the BKK route reflects the growing passenger demand, particularly among business travelers. Thailand is a key market for KE, with strong business ties between the two countries.

“Thailand is a vital market for Korean Air. Many Korean companies are investing and doing business in Thailand, fuelling demand for business travel,” said Korean Air’s  Thailand Country Manager Jong Min Kim.

With 13 gateways in North America and 12 in Japan, KE aims to leverage its extensive global network to facilitate travel to and from Thailand. The airline's decision to deploy its newest and most advanced aircraft on this route underlines its commitment to offering passengers a superior travel experience.

According to data from Thailand's tourism ministry, South Koreans were the third largest source of international arrivals last year, with 1.65 million visits. Conversely, Thailand is South Korea's eighth most significant source of arrivals, with 119,455 visitors from January to April this year.