Today, Korean Air is a respected aviation leader, with globally recognised awards to it’s name and recently the airline celebrated its 45th anniversary.
We take a look back at the history of the airline when it was fully privatised in 1969 to how it became an innovative leader in the industry, loved by passengers all over the world.
1960s
Korean Air was founded by the South Korean government in 1962 as Korean Air Lines.
This was to replace the struggling Korean National Airlines, which had been in operation since 1946. The airline was privatised in 1 March 1969 by the Hanjin Transport Group who took control of the airline and ensured it went from strength to strength.
1970s
The airline launched it’s first transpacific cargo service to US in 1971 and began a passenger service to LA via Tokyo and Honolulu a year later.
The airline continued to expand its routes for both passengers and freight, with a new service direct to Paris in 1975 and direct flights to New York in 1979.
1980s
In 1984 the airline changed it’s name from Korean Air Lines to Korean Air. A new logo was designed to to promote its status as a national carrier.
Based on the concept of Yin and Yang that is incorporated in the South Korean national flag, the mark was created to symbolise the dynamic strength of the company and desire to be a leading airline in the world’s aviation history.
According to the Korean Air website, “the white shape positioned between the red and blue represents a propeller in motion, symbolising its powerful driving force and the pioneering spirit of the company.”
1990s
The airline appointed Yang Ho Cho, who is the son of the late founder Choong Hoon Cho, as CEO and Chairman.
President Yang Ho Cho brought his innovative mindset and excellent business sense to the company improving customer service and opening up new Korean Air route networks across the world.
The was also helped by the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and an aeronautical agreement with China in 1994 that opened the skies to passenger travel.
2000s
In 2005 Korean Air employees began wearing stylish new uniforms designer by popular Italian designer Gianfranco Ferré.
The airline says the uniforms, which are still worn today, “attain harmony between modern global fashion appeal while integrating the foundation of Korea’s traditional and inherent beauty.”
During this decade the airline also became the world’s No. 1 cargo carrier and announced the SkyTeam global alliance with AeroMexico, Air France and Delta Airlines.
Today
The flagship airline serves 114 international destinations in 50 countries on all six major continents and operates an A380 service (pictured above at Toulouse-Blagnac airport in France).
Korean Air was named “Best Airline in Asia” and “Best A380 Layout” by Premier Traveler in 2012 and continues to be an innovative leader in aviation travel today.