Korean Air will fly daily nonstop between Seoul Incheon (ICN) and Newark Liberty (EWR) starting May 22, 2027. The new Korean Air Newark flight runs on a Boeing 777-300ER, and it sits alongside the airline's existing service to New York JFK. That gives the New York area a second Korean Air airport.
For travelers in New Jersey, the practical change is simple: a Korean Air nonstop to Seoul from Newark, without the trip across the region to JFK. Here's what the route looks like, where it fits in Korean Air's U.S. network, and who it suits.
What Korean Air Is Adding at Newark
The new service is a daily nonstop in each direction, beginning May 22, 2027. Korean Air will use a Boeing 777-300ER with eight First Class seats, 42 Business Class seats and 227 Economy seats.
The schedule pairs a late-evening departure from Seoul with an overnight return from Newark. If you're starting your trip in New Jersey, that's a night flight out of your home airport toward Korea.
Where Newark Fits in Korean Air's U.S. Network
Newark doesn't replace JFK. The new flight complements Korean Air's existing New York JFK service, so the airline will serve two of the region's international airports from Seoul once May 22, 2027 arrives.
Beyond New York and Newark, Korean Air flies nonstop from Seoul Incheon to Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
The route also arrives after Korean Air's merger with Asiana. If you hold Asiana miles or have Asiana trips on the books, our coverage of Asiana's exit from Star Alliance and its integration into Korean Air is the place to start.
A Route With Three Airlines
Korean Air isn't opening an empty market. Air Premia and United Airlines both already fly between Seoul Incheon and Newark, so Korean Air joins two carriers that are already on the route.
With three airlines in the market, you'll have more than one airline to compare on schedule and cabin when you're planning a trip between New Jersey and Korea.
If Newark is your home airport, there's more going on there too. Our story on United's new A321neo Coastliner and our piece on Amex's Centurion Lounge plans at Newark cover other changes worth knowing about before you fly.
Who the Newark Flight Suits
The new route suits two kinds of travelers best:
- New Jersey travelers who already fly Korean Air. If you've been driving or riding to JFK for a Korean Air nonstop, Newark may now be the closer airport.
- Travelers who want a First Class seat to Seoul from Newark. The 777-300ER on this route has eight First Class seats, along with 42 in Business.
It's less useful if you live closer to JFK. Korean Air's JFK service continues, so the Newark flight doesn't change much for you. It also doesn't help any trip before May 22, 2027, since that's when service begins.
What Changes and When
Starting May 22, 2027, Korean Air will operate a daily nonstop between Seoul Incheon and Newark on a Boeing 777-300ER with First, Business and Economy cabins. Newark joins JFK and the other U.S. cities listed above on Korean Air's nonstop map from Seoul.
You'll be able to compare Korean Air against Air Premia and United on the same airport pair. If your travel falls before May 22, 2027, JFK remains your Korean Air option in the New York area.
