A new airline plans to launch transpacific flights to the US in 2022. Air Premia plans LAX flights in 2022Air Premia is a South Korean airline startup that has just applied to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for the right to operate flights to the United States. According to the application, Air Premia hopes to begin flights between Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Los Angeles (LAX) on Boeing 787-9 aircraft from the second quarter of 2022. The planned frequencies or timetables have not yet been announced. Suffice it to say that the market between Seoul and Los Angeles is huge and Korean Air and Asiana used up to five daily Airbus A380s between the two airports before the pandemic. With the merger of Korean Air and Asiana, the route will soon only be served by one airline, so Air Premia wants to offer its customers a non-stop alternative. What is Air Premia anyway?Air Premia is a new hybrid airline startup in South Korea that just received its airline certification a few weeks ago. The airline was founded by the former president of Jeju Air, Korea’s largest low-cost airline. Air Premia plans to exclusively operate Boeing 787-9s, especially on long-haul routes. While the airline will initially operate domestically to get used to it and due to border restrictions, long-haul flights are to begin from 2022. The airline is considering flights to North America, Australia and Europe. Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Vancouver have all been named as possible travel destinations in North America. Air Premia is not a traditional low-cost airline. The airline’s Boeing 787-9s are equipped in a two-cabin configuration with a total of 309 seats:
When the airline was first announced, it was stated that Air Premia Economy tickets would cost 80-90% of the price of Korean full-service airlines in economy class, while premium economy tickets would cost 140% of the price of Korean full -Service airlines would cost in business. Here’s a video about Air Premia’s Boeing 787-9 cabins (which is weird, and besides, they can’t even make the actor look like he finds the premium economy seat comfortable): frameborder = “0” allow = “accelerometer; autoplay; write clipboard; encrypted media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen> I don’t understand Air Premia’s business modelI have to be honest, I don’t understand Air Premia’s business model at all, especially when it comes to aircraft configuration. First of all, let’s remember that the long haul business is really tough, especially for airlines without business class cabins (where most of the profits are made in many markets). What I fail to understand is why Air Premia didn’t just switch to extremely low cost and squeeze 375 seats on its planes. The airline would then have a legitimate cost advantage over competitors. Instead of this:
Personally, I just don’t think the airline stands out enough to be successful and compete with the big guys. “We charge 10% less and give one or two centimeters more legroom” just doesn’t seem like a great business model to me if customers forego frequencies, a global route network, a global frequent flyer program and connection options, etc. So while South Korea could definitely use some competition from the Korean Air and Asiana merger, I’m not sure the doctor ordered this? Bottom lineAir Premia plans to start flights between Seoul and Los Angeles from the second quarter of 2022. This is a new South Korean hybrid airline that intends to use the 787-9 primarily on long-haul flights. These planes will be in a ridiculously spacious two-cabin layout with economy seats 35 inches apart. I’m not sure I understand the business case for this, but that sounds great to consumers … What do you think of Air Premia and the airline’s business model? Via https://globalconnekt.com/air-premia-is-planning-flights-from-seoul-to-los-angeles/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorBest Travel Tips Archives
March 2022
Categories |