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Launched on March 14, 1975, the route is one of the airline’s longest-standing long-haul services and remains a vital link between the two nations.
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A formal reception followed on June 4 at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, attended by over 100 guests, including Seung-hyun Moon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to France, partners and representatives of the Franco-Korean community. Korean Air was represented by Jungho Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Passenger Sales, and Hyun Jun Shim, General Manager for France.
A historic partnership with Airbus
Korean Air's Paris route also reflects a long history of collaboration with European aviation. In the early 1970s, the airline became the first non-European carrier to purchase aircraft from Airbus, which was then a relatively new manufacturer supported by France, the UK, Germany, and Spain.
After careful evaluation, Korean Air placed an order for the A300 in 1974. This early partnership contributed to closer aviation ties between Korea and Europe and played a role in broadening the airline’s long-haul capabilities.
This relationship also paved the way for a cargo codeshare agreement with Air France, and supported the signing of an air services agreement between the South Korean and French governments. In October 1973, Korean Air launched cargo services to Paris to assess the viability of the route.
On March 14, 1975, the airline launched its inaugural European passenger service, connecting Seoul and Paris Orly with 215 passengers and cargo onboard. This marked the beginning of a twice-weekly scheduled service. Since 1982, the airline has operated flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle, France’s main international gateway.
With Paris as its first European destination, Korean Air has steadily expanded its presence across the continent, building a robust network that has strengthened Korea-European connectivity.
A catalyst for Korea-France relations
Over the past five decades, Korean Air has served as a vital bridge between South Korea and France, fostering economic, diplomatic and cultural exchanges. The airline’s early adoption of Airbus aircraft helped foster industrial collaboration, while its cultural initiatives elevated Korea’s presence on the global stage.
In 2008, Korean Air successfully advocated for the introduction of Korean-language audio guides at the Louvre Museum, setting a global precedent that inspired other major institutions such as the Orsay Museum in Paris and the British Museum in London, to follow suit. In recognition of these efforts, Korean Air became the first airline to receive a commendation from South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that same year. The airline continues to sponsor Korean-language guides at the Louvre and Orsay museums to this day.
Korean Air has also stood by the Korean community in France during the COVID-19 pandemic in the early 2020s, maintaining its direct Incheon-Paris flights when most international routes were suspended, ensuring crucial connectivity between the two nations.
Looking ahead: strengthening service post-merger
“For 50 years, Korean Air has connected Paris and Seoul with a steadfast commitment to service excellence,” said Jungho Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Passenger Sales. “This anniversary is a tribute to our loyal passengers, supportive partners, and our continuous pursuit of quality service. We look forward to continuing this remarkable journey with the French market.”
Following its integration with Asiana Airlines, Korean Air plans to further enhance its offerings by introducing new routes, optimizing schedules, and delivering even more tailored services to meet the evolving needs of global travelers.
About Korean Air
Serving the world for more than 55 years, Korean Air is one of the world's top 20 airlines, carrying more than 23 million passengers in 2024. With its global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), the airline serves 117 cities in 40 countries on five continents with a modern fleet of 160 aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees.
Korean Air's outstanding performance and commitment to the highest level of safety and customer service has widely been recognized. The airline has been granted numerous awards including a 5-star airline rating from Skytrax as well as Airline of the Year from both Air Transport World and Airline Ratings. Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, and has grown into one of the largest transpacific airlines through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.
For more information about Korean Air, please visit www.koreanair.com, Korea
