Korean Air – flight change and cancellation policy

The airline owns 180 fleets and has flights to 150 destinations. Korean Air's frequent flyer programmes is SKYPASS.

Korean Air check-in

Korean Air offers a choice of ways to check in – your mobile phone, online, airport self-check-in machines, or at the check-in counter at the airport.

You have to check in at the airline counter in the airport you are departing from if flying with pets or when you have specific on-board requirements.

Korean Air online check-in

Online check-in opens 48 hours (24 hours for flights to/from the USA and Canada) prior to departure and allows you to pick your seat and either print your boarding pass or get it in mobile version (note that not all airports have mobile check-in as an option).

Korean Air mobile check-in

Mobile check-in allows you to check in for your flight and download the boarding pass in your own time. You are able to check in, select your seat, and receive your mobile boarding pass 48 hours (24 hours for flights to/from the USA and Canada) ahead of the flight departure, all using your mobile phone. Check that mobile check-in is available in the airport of departure.

If you have problems with your mobile boarding pass, you can go to the airline check-in desk or a check-in machine (where available) for a conventional paper one. This is further applicable if your phone has issues, or your boarding pass is deleted.

Korean Air check-in machines

These are the screens which you can use to check in at the airport. Find out if the airport of departure has check-in machines ahead of your journey. The majority of check-in machines enable you to check in with either your passport or your last name and booking reference, which you will find on your booking confirmation.

Korean Air check-in time & deadlines

Check-in deadlines are vital to achieve punctual departure for flights. You should have checked in baggage and have your boarding pass – whichever way you checked in – prior to the deadline.

Korean Air baggage allowance

Korean Air carry-on baggage

The quantity of items of carry-on baggage allowed on Korean Air flights depends on the travel class of the flight ticket and it is required to adhere to airline regulations.

If it happens that your baggage does not meet Korean Air's carry-on regulations, you should check it in at the airline counter or, if available, at a self-service bag drop kiosk. Please note that this may require an extra charge.

Dimensions for carry-on baggage – max. 55 x 40 x 20 cm

All classes – 1 item of carry-on baggage up to 12 kg

Korean Air checked baggage

Free baggage allowance is dependent on the travel class and price of your flight ticket.

Regulations for checked-in baggage dimensions – max. 158 cm (width + height + depth)

Korean Air check-in baggage allowance

Economy class – 1 item of baggage up to 23 kg
Business Class – 2 items of baggage, each up to 32 kg
First Class – 3 items of baggage, each up to 32 kg

Excess and special baggage

There are specific regulations respecting excess and special baggage. 

Korean Air baggage restrictions: Excess luggage

Economy Class – over 23 kg (maximum 32 kg) and/or above 158 cm (width + height + depth, a maximum limit of 203 cm)
Business / First Class – above 158 cm (width + height + depth, a maximum limit of 203 cm)

Korean Air baggage rules: Sports equipment

It’s a good idea to make a reservation as early as possible for sports equipment since the space for such items is restricted.

Korean Air luggage problems

Baggage getting damaged or failing to get to your destination can be attributed to a variety of factors. The baggage handling area experiencing technical difficulties, poor weather, or the baggage tag coming loose, can all cause a variety of problems with your baggage.

Korean Air baggage damaged / delayed

A report needs to be made immediately to the Korean Air baggage tracing desk or service desk when your baggage is damaged or delayed at the airport of arrival. Be certain to keep hold of every flight document, most importantly your baggage claim tag and boarding pass.

Your claim reference number, as well as written confirmation, is always a requirement. Until the baggage delivery, or claim resolution, it is important to save these documents.

You can also opt to enlist MYFLYRIGHT to claim for baggage issues, you can find more detailed information here.

Korean Air flight ticket booking classes

The travel class defines the standard of service and accommodation on an airplane. Different airlines provide passengers with varying levels of travel classes. There are 3 travel class options offered by Korean Air – Economy, Business (Prestige), and First Class. Each cabin class is also split into invisible booking classes.

You can read more detailed information respecting Korean Air travel classes here.

Korean Air Economy Class

This travel class is the basic one provided by the airline. Korean Air offers Economy Class on each flight.

Seats – 33-34-inch seat pitch
On-board entertainment – films and music
On-board meal – Korean meals like bibimbap, bibim noodles, Gondreabap and other meals or snacks

Korean Air Business Class

A more comfortable journey can be enjoyed by passengers travelling in this class. Business Class can be differentiated from other travel classes in terms of the standard of seats, meals and drinks, service on the ground and extra on-board amenities.

Korean Air Business Class: Short & mid-haul routes

Passenger benefits

Priority check-in – check in at special counters
Additional baggage – 2 items of carry-on baggage
Lounges – access to Business Class lounges
Priority boarding – boarding the plane first
Seats – Prestige suites or seats with extra private space
On-board meal – A variety of menu options

Korean Air Business Class: Long-haul routes

Passenger benefits

Priority check-in – check in at special counters
Additional baggage – 3 items of carry-on baggage
Lounges – access to First Class lounges
Priority boarding – boarding the plane first
Seats – spacious 180-degree fully-flat seats
On-board meal – premium Korean and international meals
On-board entertainment – passengers can choose from films and music with Korean Air's inflight entertainment

Korean Air First Class

First Class is the highest travel class offered to passengers. It generally refers to limited seating with added room, comfort, a higher quality of service, and additional privacy.

Priority check-in – check in at the special counters
First Class Lounges – access to all Korean Air and SkyTeam partner lounges
Seats – extra comfortable bed-type seats or personal suites
On-board meal – gourmet Korean and international meals

Korean Air airport lounges

You can enjoy two types of Korean Air airport lounges – Prestige Business Class and First Class.

Travelling with children on Korean Air flights

There needs to be an individual seat purchased for children who are from the age of two (2). Country rules vary for minors (children under a certain age), either travelling alone or with an adult. You should always be aware of all necessary travel documents prior to your flight, if not you may be refused entry or exit in a country.

Children’s menu – available on board. Should be requested in advance before departure.

Flying with pets on Korean Air flights

Travelling with pets with Korean Air is allowed, except for Boeing 737 international flights.

The weight and size of your pet and restrictions for countries and other airlines determine whether you are permitted to fly with them – as long as the animal complies with regulations, it can be flown with an extra fee as carry-on baggage, or inside the aircraft's cargo hold area.

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About MYFLYRIGHT

MYFLYRIGHT is a legal tech company, specialized in the support of airline passengers affected by flight delays, flight cancellations, denied boarding, delayed or lost luggage and the refund of unused airline tickets. MYFLYRIGHT was founded 2016 in Hamburg, Germany. The company operates out of 3 offices, its headquarter in Hamburg and its branches in Prague, Czech Republic and Zaporizhia, Ukraine. Currently, MYFLYRIGHT employs a team of around 25 people working in Marketing, Operations, Legal, Customer Support and IT. The organization operates across 5 markets – Germany, United Kingdom, Romania, Austria, and Switzerland.

MYFLYRIGHT’s goal is to provide access to justice for all aviation passengers who experience irregularities in their flight transportation. Notably, 75% of all compensation requests submitted by passengers get rejected. Whereas, MYFLYRIGHT is able to successfully execute the applicable customer claims in more than 98% of cases at court.