Korean Air unveils new State-of-the-Art Cabin Environment

Korean Air has unveiled details of a brand-new cabin environment to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Exemplifying the airline’s new slogan – “Excellence in Flight” – the new cabin environment encompasses new interior designs, new “First Class Cocoon Seats”, and new “Premium Business Class Seats”, as well as an “Audio Video on Demand” (AVOD) system. The airline also staged its “9th Smile Festival” and chose the Korean Air “Smile Queen” to underline its commitment to providing the best customer services.

New State-of-the-Art Cabin Environment

Korean Air’s new state-of-the-art “First Class Cocoon Seats” and “Premium Business Class Seats” will become available in 2005. The AVOD system will also be offered in all three classes, including Economy Class, during the same year. The other new interior design elements will be completed by 2006.

The “First Class Cocoon Seat” is an 81-inch-long sleeper seat featuring a massage function, an AVOD system with a 15-inch LCD screen and a privacy partition. The “Premium Business Class Seat” is an enhanced version of the current Business Class Seat. It reclines up to 170 degrees and has a similar AVOD system. Its key concept is “Business Class with First Class amenities”. The AVOD is being installed in all three classes, and will offer a selection of 36 movie channels and more than 1,000 music choices. Korean Air is also making Internet services available in all classes as another enhancement of the in-flight experience for its passengers.

Korean Air retained Landor, one of the most respected corporate identity crafters, to redesign its cabin environment and give the airline a fresh, fashionable look – from the carpets to the catering. The three-year project will cost around US$30 million. The airline is also consulting top European fashion designers for new flight attendant uniforms.

The 9th Smile Festival

In a 35th anniversary celebration ceremony in Seoul, 24 contestants selected from a pool of 4,000 Korean Air flight attendants took part in the airline’s 9th Smile Festival. The “Smile Queen Award”, the event’s highest honor, went to Ms. Soon Yi Jung, who also won the “Photogenic Award”. She was highly praised by all the judges for her outstanding example of the smile of Korean Air flight attendants.