Country: South Korea ·
Hub: Seoul Incheon (ICN) ·
Alliance: SkyTeam ·
IATA code: KE
24-hour free cancellation: Yes — full refund within 24 hours of booking on US-issued tickets with departure 7+ days away.
Typical refund timeline: 14–28 business days for credit card refunds.
Korean Air is South Korea's flag carrier and the largest airline in South Korea, operating from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to thirteen US cities: JFK, EWR, BOS, IAD, ATL, MIA, DFW, ORD, IAH, LAS, LAX, SFO, and SEA. Korean Air recently completed its merger with Asiana, expanding the network even further. Korean Air is a SkyTeam member and codeshares with Delta extensively. Their premium product (Kosmo Suites in First class and Prestige Suites in Business) is competitive with the world's top carriers.
Korean Air fare brands explained
Korean Air sells economy in three brands: Economy Basic ($120 change fee, no refund), Economy Standard ($120 change fee, cancel for credit), and Economy Flex (free changes, full refund). Premium Economy is $90 to change. Prestige Business is $50 to change. First Class is free to change. The Asiana merger has not yet fully integrated fare structures; some routes still operate under legacy Asiana rules.
SKYPASS and Delta SkyMiles integration
Korean Air's loyalty program is SKYPASS. Cancelled tickets convert to SKYPASS miles credit or a Korean Air travel voucher worth the ticket value minus the cancellation fee. SKYPASS miles can be redeemed on Korean Air, Delta, and other SkyTeam partners. Delta SkyMiles can also be redeemed for Korean Air awards through delta.com, often at attractive rates for Business and First.
Asiana merger: what it means for your ticket
Korean Air completed its acquisition of Asiana Airlines in 2024. The two carriers are operating with shared inventory but separate fare rules during the integration period. If your ticket was issued by Asiana (988 prefix) before the merger, Asiana's rules technically still apply, but Korean Air agents can administer most changes. By 2026, full integration is expected.
Delta partnership and ICN connections
Korean Air and Delta have a deep joint-venture partnership on transpacific routes. Many Korean Air flights are codeshared by Delta and vice versa. If you booked through Delta (006 prefix), Delta's no-change-fee policy applies. If you booked direct with Korean Air (180 prefix), Korean's fare rules apply. Seoul Incheon is one of the best-rated airports in the world and a popular connection point to Southeast Asia and Australia.
Korean Air change & cancellation fees in detail (2026)
| Fare class | Change fee | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $120 | $200 |
| Premium Economy | $90 | $175 |
| Business | $50 | $125 |
| First / Suites | $0 | $100 |
Indicative fees per passenger per direction. Fare difference may apply. Refundable fare types have different rules — call to verify your specific ticket.
Common reasons US travellers call about Korean Air
- Change a Korean Air US-Korea long-haul ticket
- Cancel and recover SKYPASS credit
- Rebook after a schedule change on US-ICN routes
- Handle Delta SkyTeam codeshare on transpacific routes
- Process Prestige Business or First Class changes
Korean Air FAQ
Economy Basic and Standard: $120 USD per passenger per direction. Premium Economy: $90. Prestige Business: $50. First: free. Fare difference always applies.
If your Asiana ticket was issued before the 2024 merger, Asiana's original rules apply but Korean Air agents administer it. By 2026 full integration is expected with harmonized fare rules.
Yes — Delta and Korean Air have a deep SkyTeam partnership. SkyMiles can be redeemed for Korean Air Prestige Business at competitive rates, especially 60+ days in advance.
Credit-card refunds typically process in 14–28 business days. KRW-issued tickets can take 4–8 weeks.
Yes — Seoul Incheon (ICN) consistently ranks among the world's best airports for cleanliness, on-time performance, and amenities. It's a major hub for onward travel to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia.