Air Premia selects Boeing 787 Dreamliner for launch

After weighing up between the Airbus A330neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, startup airline Air Premia has selected the 787-9 Dreamliner for its future fleet by signing a letter of intent.

Set to arrive from 2020, the South Korean airline has signed for five aircraft, all coming from lessors. Three will arrive first to kick-start operations, with two more coming the following year. Ultimately the airline intends to grow their fleet to 10 787 Dreamliners by 2025.

Despite their teaser on the A330neo before the delivery, the airline has subtly stated they don’t plan on operating both.

Air Premia advertises itself as a hybrid airline, offering a solid economy and premium economy product to passengers who don’t want to spend as much as a mainline airline such as Korean Air, who is the only other 787 Dreamliner operator in Korea.

Founded by Kim Jeong Cheol, the airline boasts a premium economy product at half the price of a full-service airline. Economy wise, Kim aims to achieve an 80-90% lower ticket price compared to other full-service offerings.

At this stage, no seating or cabin announcements have been made, other than the fact that premium economy is expected to see a seat pitch of 42 inches and 35 inches in economy.

The airline intends to fly routes from South Korea to various destinations in Asia, the U.S and Europe. Here are some of the destinations the airline currently has on the planning board:

• Los Angeles
• San Jose
• Honolulu
• Vancouver
• Munich
• Cairns
• Singapore
• Ho Chi Minh City

Appropriate authorities/regulators are expected to hand over an air carrier’s licence this month.