NEW ROUTES 2026 #3: Korean Air’s new Prestige Suites for Sydney

• NEW ROUTES 2026 #1: Turkish Airlines plays long game—Australia’s almost-direct route to Europe
• NEW ROUTES 2026 #2: Cathay Pacific returns to Adelaide
• NEW ROUTES 2026 #3: Korean Air’s new Prestige Suites for Sydney

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Korean Air has introduced the Prestige Suites 2.0 in Business Class for flights out of Sydney on its 787-10 Dreamliners from November 2025.

I’m doing a series of posts on new routes in and out of Australia. Some are actually new routes, and some are new in the sense of having new aircraft, updated interiors, or other innovations. Looks like there will be nine posts in the series. I’ve already covered, and you can read about Turkish Airlines’ soon-to-be nonstop flights between Australia and Europe and Cathay Pacific’s revived route between Adelaide and Hong Kong.

Introduction

Korean Air, a SkyTeam member, flies to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. But only the Sydney route has the Prestige 2.0-equipped Dreamliner. From the Korean Air Seoul Incheon base, travellers can continue on to a whole variety of destinations. However, I’m going to highlight the onward service to Seattle and Vancouver in North America in the same premium cabin.

The redesign of the suite places it closer to First Class in amenity, if not in size. Each private suite has 130-centimetre-high walls, a sliding door, a 61-centimetre 4K screen with Bluetooth audio pairing, wireless charging and a staggered 1-2-1 layout. Five pairs of centre seats can even be converted into double beds.

The route details

Korean Air operates daily Sydney–Seoul services:

• KE122 Departs Sydney at 10:00, arrives Seoul Incheon at18:30
• KE121 Departs Seoul at 19:45, arrives Sydney 08:00 (+1 day)

The schedule is timed to feed into Korean Air’s late-evening North America departures from Incheon, including Los Angeles, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver.

That makes for a comfortable connection window with no punishing midnight sprint across the terminal.

The Boeing 787-10 configuration

The Sydney service now frequently features the Boeing 787-10, the largest of the Dreamliner family. It’s configured into three classes: 36 Prestige Suites (Business Class), 24 Premium Economy seats, and 245 Economy seats, for a total of 305 passengers.

The 787-10 is quieter than older widebodies and maintains higher cabin humidity and pressure, all of which help you arrive less wrecked.

Prestige Suites 2.0

The new business cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 staggered layout, meaning direct aisle access for every passenger.

Each suite has a sliding privacy door with 130cm-high sidewalls. Entertainment includes a 4K 24-inch screen with Bluetooth audio pairing, wireless charging pad and AC + USB-C power sockets. Your fully flat bed runs to 78 inches, with the five centre pairs able to be configured into double beds.

Premium Economy and Economy

In Premium Economy, the layout is 2-3-2 with a 38-inch pitch. You also get a wider seat than in Economy with a leg rest, and a better meal service.

The Economy cabin has a standard 3-3-3 layout. The Korean Air seat cushioning and service are consistently well reviewed, especially compared to many US carriers.

The Seoul advantage

Incheon International Airport consistently ranks among the world’s best. Transfers are efficient, there is clear signage and security is well organised. It’s also cute seeing couples that are dressed in matching Burberry and other designer brands, head to toe!

Lounges for business-class passengers include Korean Air’s Prestige Lounges, which offer hot Korean dishes, shower suites, and ample seating without the overcrowding seen in some global hubs.

Aircraft swaps

Your Boeing 787-10 aircraft is not guaranteed. Aircraft swaps do occur. Not every Sydney flight will always feature Prestige Suites 2.0. Check the seat map for the 1-2-1 layout and suite icons.

Plus

On the plus side, this route on Korean Air is best for:

• Couples wanting a suite experience
• Seattle and Vancouver travellers
• SkyTeam loyalists
• Flyers wanting to avoid the US on their way to Canada, or to avoid US carriers’ versions of business class

Minus

• Travellers who require absolute aircraft consistency – there will be substitutions
• Those seeking direct, non-stop access to North America

2PAXfly Takeout

Korean Air is not marketing this route with any profile in Australia. That might increase your chances of finding seats available.

While we all focus on the likes of Gulf carriers and Qantas’ Project Sunrise new Business Class seats, Sydney has relatively quietly gained one of the most private business-class cabins operating to North America.

Korean Air is being reborn now, it has absorbed Asiana, rebranded, and re-launched. It’s an airline to watch, especially if you are partial to a tray of Bibimbap or the spiciness of Kimchi on your tray table. Or, if you are addicted to K-pop.