Korean Air: travel and tourism trends in Asia in 2025
The year 2025 marked a strong comeback for the Asian travel industry, and Korean Air, a major player in South Korean air transport, has captured this momentum. With almost 16.5 million passengers carried, the airline confirms not only a solid post-pandemic recovery, but also the continuing attractiveness of its key routes to Japan and China. These figures reveal fascinating travel trends and winning strategies for the Asian tourism industry.
Japan, a confirmed top destination
The report 2025 Year-End Review of Korean Air confirms that Tokyo maintained its leading position among the most popular international destinations for South Korean customers. Japanese metropolises such as Osaka and Fukuoka continue to attract a strong flow of travelers, supported by high flight frequencies and an upturn in tourism exchanges between the two neighboring nations. In fourth place, Bangkok testifies to Thailand's growing popularity with South Koreans, confirming its status as a major leisure destination.
Spectacular recovery in China
After a period marked by health restrictions, air links to China experienced a remarkable acceleration in 2025. Shanghai recorded impressive growth, welcoming 128,000 more passengers than the previous year. Flights to Beijing and Qingdao also saw significant increases in passenger numbers, with 71,000 and 63,000 additional passengers respectively. This upturn testifies to the restoration of economic ties and the strength of tourist demand, facilitated by the reinstatement of short-stay visas.
A diversified passenger profile
An analysis of the passengers carried by Korean Air in 2025 reveals an increasingly diverse customer base. The age range of 30 to 49 years old represents 40% of total traffic, closely followed by 50-69 years (30%). International travellers made up 35% of the customer base, with Americans and Chinese predominating, each accounting for 24% of this segment. Unusually, the most frequent flyer took 216 flights, the equivalent of 108 round trips, underlining the loyalty and importance of frequent travel.
Services and fleet on the move
The year 2025 also saw a significant visual evolution for Korean Air, with 34 aircraft sporting the new livery. This renewal is accompanied by a continuous improvement in services, notably in the airport lounges atIncheon. The renovated spaces have welcomed more than 1.3 million passengers, offering unique gastronomic experiences, including the freshly prepared pizza by the chefs.
In the Prestige Class cabin, dishes such as Nakji-bokkeum (spicy octopus) and Jeyuk Ssam-bap (marinated pork) were the most popular, testifying to their attachment to Korean flavors. On the entertainment front, films and series captivated passengers, enhancing the travel experience.
With 280 million kilometers flown and over 16 million passengers, Korean Air is a pillar of air transport in Asia. The company, in the midst of preparing its merger with Asiana Airlinescontinues to invest in modernizing its fleet and services to consolidate its competitiveness on the international scene.
"Our goal is to offer a fluid and refined travel experience by combining innovation and Korean hospitality."said a Korean Air spokesperson, underlining the company's commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
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