Asiana Airlines and the Merger with Korean Air: What Changes for Those Flying in 2026

A five-year merger

The path leading to Korean Air's absorption of Asiana began years before its completion: Korean Air progressively took over its competitor's shares, with the acquisition of the remaining 36.1% stake planned during 2026. Asiana's extraordinary shareholders' meeting approved the operation with 81.86% of shareholders participating and 99.3% voting in favor, while South Korean transport authorities gave conditional approval in June.

The fleet

Asiana operates a long-haul fleet based on the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777, joined by Airbus A330s on regional Asian routes; the old passenger Boeing 747-400s were retired years ago. With the integration, the Asiana brand will be gradually phased out and the aircraft absorbed into Korean Air's single fleet, a process the company expects to complete after the formal merger date.

What changes for passengers

In the short term flights will continue to operate under the Asiana brand and code, but loyalty programs, alliances and baggage policies are bound to converge toward those of Korean Air over time. If you have miles accumulated in the Asiana Club program, you should follow official communications about the transition period closely, since a merger typically involves the gradual harmonization of the loyalty programs of the two airlines involved.

What passengers say

• Historically appreciated aspects: attentive onboard service on intercontinental routes, A350 cabins judged among the most modern in the region.
• More uncertain aspects at this stage: little clarity about the exact timing and method of merging loyalty programs and already purchased fare conditions.

For now, Asiana remains a valid choice if you fly the airline's historic intercontinental Asian routes, but if you are booking for 2027 you should consider that operations and the brand will almost certainly have merged into Korean Air. It is not the ideal time if you aim to accumulate miles for the long term in the current program, given the merger under way.

If you have a flight booked straddling the integration date of December 17, 2026, check directly with the airline for any changes in flight number or terminal before departure.