Asiana Airlines will debut its new premium economy class when it launches its first Airbus A350 aircraft in May 2017
The new cabin, known as “Economy Smartium”, will become the first premium economy product offered by any Korean carrier.
The seats will provide 7-10cm of additional legroom compared with traditional economy class. Premium economy passengers will also be offered priority boarding, airport lounge access at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport and other in-flight services.
The upgraded seats will be available to passengers for an additional fee of $30 to $150 depending on distance.
Asiana has ordered a total of 30 A350s, comprising eight smaller A350-800s, 12 standard A350-900s and 10 larger A350-1000s. The first model will be the A350-900, and it will be configured with 311 seats – 28 in business class, 36 in premium economy and 247 in economy.
The first four aircraft are due to be delivered this year, with the full order scheduled to be completed by 2025.
Asiana will start operating its A350s on its routes to Osaka and Manila from 15 May with long-haul services to San Francisco and London starting in the second half of 2017.
Asiana’s twin-aisle aircraft fleet also includes 15 A330s, five A380s and 11 Boeing 777s.
N.B. Image credit: Asiana
