Korean Air has expanded its network to the Middle East with the announcement that a direct service between Korea and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab state in Western Asia, will begin on 9 November 2012.
Korean Air will commence the direct service three times a week, flying from Seoul/Incheon first to Riyadh and then onto Jeddah. The Seoul/Incheon-Riyadh-Jeddah flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. KE961 departs at 21:55 and will arrive in Riyadh at 03:10 the next day. The flight continues its journey departing from Riyadh at 04:20, arriving Jeddah at 06:15. On the return KE962 departs from Jeddah at 11:00 and arrives in Riyadh at 12:35. The flight departs from Riyadh at 13:55 and arrives Seoul/Incheon at 05:00 next day.
The Seoul/Incheon – Riyadh – Jeddah route will be operated with an Airbus 330-200, seating 218 passengers and equipped with Korean Air’s premium seats. First Class has 6 Kosmo suites; the 180-degree full-flat beds have been widened by 15cm (6 inch) to 67.3 cm (26.5 inch) to provide passengers with added comfort. The Business Class, called Prestige Class, has 24 full-flat sleepers with 188cm (74 inches) between seats and extra large seat partitions offering comfort and privacy. Passengers in all classes can enjoy the new AVOD system that offers upgraded in-flight entertainment in high resolution and with top processing speed.
With its new Seoul/Incheon-Riyadh and Jeddah service, Korean Air aims to attract business travelers visiting Saudi Arabia and will develop the market, which has a great potential for growth. The service will also be of interest to transit passengers from neighboring countries to Korea, including Japan and China, who will travel to Saudia Arabia via Korean Air’s hub in Seoul, the award winning Incheon International Airport.