Korean Air Launching Daily Newark-Seoul Flights in May 2027

Updated: November 12, 2026, 11:13am CST

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Table of Contents

Korean Air Is Coming to Newark
What It’s Like To Fly Korean Air’s Boeing 777-300ER
Final Thoughts

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Travelers in the New York City area will soon have another nonstop option for getting to South Korea.

Korean Air is launching daily nonstop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey, to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) on May 22, 2027, giving U.S. travelers another way to reach South Korea’s capital and connect to more destinations across Asia.

Here’s what you need to know about the new route.

Korean Air Is Coming to Newark

Korean Air’s new service will operate daily using a Boein 777-300ER aircraft, with the following schedule:

Depart Seoul (ICN) at 10 p.m. — Arrive Newark (EWR) at 11 p.m.
Depart Newark (EWR) at 1 a.m. — Arrive Seoul (ICN) at 5:15 a.m. (+1 day)

The new route puts Korean Air in direct competition with United Airlines, which launched its own nonstop flight between Newark and Seoul in September 2026.

This is big news for travelers, particularly those based in New Jersey or who prefer to fly through Newark rather than New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), where Korean already operates flights to Seoul.

What It’s Like To Fly Korean Air’s Boeing 777-300ER

Korean Air’s Boeing 777-300ER offers economy, business class (called Prestige Class), and, on some aircraft, first class.

Depending on the configuration, travelers looking to book Korean Air business class can expect either the airline’s older lie-flat seats or its newer Prestige Suites, which offer more privacy and direct aisle access. Some aircraft also feature 8 first-class suites, while Korean Air’s newly retrofitted 777s have an upgraded business-class cabin instead.

Korean Air B777 300 ICN LHR Prestige Class recline mode — Whichever Korean Air 777-300ER configuration serves Newark, expect lie-flat seats, great food, and attentive service in business class. Image Credit: Keri Stooksbury

That said, the airline hasn’t confirmed which version will operate its new Newark route, so it’s unclear whether first class will be offered or which business class option passengers will experience.

For travelers looking to book this new flight with miles, it might be a bit tricky. Korean Air’s SKYPASS program doesn’t have any U.S.-based transferable credit card programs to transfer points from, unlike many other airline loyalty programs. Still, there are ways to build up a balance and earn Korean Air SKYPASS miles, which you can then use to redeem for flights.

You can also lean on SkyTeam alliance partners such as Delta SkyMiles or Air France-KLM Flying Blue to book award seats, albeit at a higher cost and with dynamic, not fixed, prices.

Hot Tip:

One of the best ways for U.S.-based travelers to rack up Korean Air SKYPASS miles without flying is with the SKYPASS Select Visa Signature^® Card, one of the airline’s co-branded credit cards available to U.S. applicants.

Final Thoughts

It’s always nice to see some good ol’ airline competition. Korean Air’s arrival at Newark gives travelers another nonstop option to Seoul from the New York City area, on a route United only recently launched.

And with more choices for travelers, here’s hoping for better fares and more options for getting across the Pacific.