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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [BUSINESS]
6 clusters · 15 sources · 49 days · First seen · Last updated
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines merger
Overview
Asiana Airlines shareholders have approved a merger with Korean Air, concluding a nearly six-year acquisition process. The acquisition, valued at 1.8 trillion won ($1.6 billion), is expected to create the world’s 10th-largest airline by fleet size. The formal merger is scheduled for December 17, 2026.
On September 16, 2026, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) granted final approval for the integration of mileage programs. Under the approved plan, all new miles earned after the merger will be credited directly to Korean Air’s SKYPASS program. Existing Asiana Airlines miles will be transferred to Korean Air but maintained as a separate balance within member accounts for 10 years. Customers may choose to keep these miles separate for award tickets and upgrades or convert them to SKYPASS at any time. The conversion will follow a dual structure: miles earned through flights will convert at a 1:1 ratio, while partner miles will convert at a 1:0.82 ratio.
To facilitate the transition, Asiana elite status will be automatically matched to corresponding Korean Air levels, supported by a new ‘Morning Calm Select’ tier offering SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits. Korean Air has also committed to maintaining award seat availability at or above pre-merger levels, specifically targeting long-haul routes to Europe, America, and Oceania.
In preparation for the December 17 merger, Asiana Airlines announced on September 29, 2026, that it will operate 73 special mileage-only flights across popular routes in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. These flights, serving destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Hanoi, and Manila, will run between November and December to provide customers with increased opportunities to utilize accumulated miles before the integration.
Entities
Korean Air · Asiana Airlines · Fair Trade Commission · Korea Fair Trade Commission · Song Bo-young
Timeline
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesAsiana Airlines to operate 73 special mileage flights ahead of Korean Air merger
Asiana Airlines is launching 73 special mileage flights to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia ahead of its December 17 merger with Korean Air.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesKorean Air receives approval for Asiana Airlines mileage integration
Korean Air has secured KFTC approval for its mileage integration plan with Asiana Airlines, featuring a 10-year window for separate mileage management and automatic elite status matching.
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[BUSINESS] 4 sourcesJapan Airlines and Korean Air sign strategic partnership
Japan Airlines and Korean Air have signed a strategic partnership to expand cooperation, including codeshare and loyalty programs, ahead of Korean Air’s integration with Asiana Airlines in late 2026.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesKorean Air and Asiana Airlines conduct joint social activities ahead of merger
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines conducted joint social contribution activities, including career lectures and safety training for youth, to foster cooperation ahead of their planned merger this December.
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[BUSINESS] 2 sourcesKorean Air and Asiana Airlines to merge in December
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will officially merge on December 17, focusing on optimized flight schedules, expanded routes, and a proposed mileage conversion plan pending regulatory approval.
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[BUSINESS] 3 sourcesAsiana Airlines shareholders approve merger with Korean Air
Asiana Airlines shareholders have approved a merger with Korean Air in a $1.6 billion deal that will create the world's 10th-largest airline, scheduled to launch on December 17.
Sources
aerobernie.com · aeroroutes.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · imaeil.com · italiavola.com · koreatimes.co.kr · kyeonggi.com · m.koreaherald.com · mbn.co.kr · newstomato.com · ryoko-net.co.jp · sky-budget.com · thetravelnews.co.kr · traicy.com · travelwires.com
This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history