Published on
October 17, 2025
Korean Air is taking a significant step towards expanding its global network by launching trial flights from South Korea to Spain. This move marks a strategic effort to tap into the growing travel demand in Southern Europe. With the increasing interest in both business and leisure travel between Asia and Europe, this new route is poised to open doors to exciting new opportunities. By offering direct connections, Korean Air is not only enhancing accessibility but also aiming to establish a stronger presence in the European market. This expansion reflects the airline’s commitment to exploring untapped markets, fostering tourism, and bolstering economic ties between the two regions.
Korean Air has recently launched a series of trial charter flights to a Spanish city, marking an exciting new venture as the airline seeks to explore expanding its network to more European destinations. The trial involves four charter flights running through early November, with the goal of assessing the feasibility and demand for future regular flights to the city. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Hanjin Travel, the South Korean airline’s tour operator, which is responsible for marketing and operating the flights.
The first flight in the trial program departed from Seoul and landed in Spain on October 12, 2025. The arrival of this inaugural flight marks the beginning of what is hoped to be a successful test, which will be followed by three additional flights scheduled throughout the month of October and into early November. The flights are set to test the viability of offering direct, long-haul travel between Seoul and the Spanish city, with a focus on catering to both leisure and cultural tourism. These flights are designed to assess demand from South Korean travelers interested in visiting Spain and the surrounding region.
The aircraft used for these flights is the Boeing 777-300ER, a long-range, wide-body airplane known for its comfort and efficiency on long-haul routes. These aircraft are configured to carry 291 passengers, divided into three classes: first class, business class, and economy class. The inclusion of multiple class options ensures that the flights can cater to a broad spectrum of travelers, from those seeking luxury and exclusivity to those looking for more affordable options. By offering this range of seating classes, Korean Air hopes to attract a wide variety of passengers, from families and couples to business travelers and solo adventurers.
While the primary focus of the charter flights is to gauge interest and assess demand for future routes, Korean Air is also offering travelers the opportunity to enjoy specially curated tour packages that include a range of cultural and leisure experiences in Spain. The tour packages offered by Hanjin Travel feature not just visits to the city of arrival, but also excursions to other famous destinations in Spain, including Seville, Granada, and Cádiz. These additional stops offer travelers the chance to immerse themselves in Spain’s rich cultural history, explore iconic landmarks, and experience the local cuisine and traditions.
The trial flights to Spain are part of a broader strategy by Korean Air to expand its European route network, which currently includes flights to major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. While Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona are already key destinations for Korean Air, the addition of new routes to other parts of Spain, including the city being trialed, presents an exciting opportunity for the airline to tap into new markets and broaden its international offerings. Malaga, in particular, has shown an increasing interest in attracting long-haul markets like Korea, as the city looks to diversify its tourism offerings and make itself more accessible to travelers from around the world.
The Spanish city that is being trialed for future regular flights is part of Spain’s ongoing efforts to attract more international tourists, especially from long-haul markets. As tourism continues to recover and grow, cities like Malaga are working hard to build relationships with international airlines, such as Korean Air, to open up new travel routes that can help boost both tourism and the local economy. By offering direct flights from Seoul to Malaga, Korean Air would be able to capitalize on the growing demand for travel to southern Spain, known for its Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastline, and rich cultural heritage.
The trial operation of these flights will also allow Korean Air to test various logistical factors, such as the optimal frequency of flights, passenger demand, and market response, before committing to a regular flight schedule. If the trial flights prove successful and there is sufficient demand, Korean Air may decide to introduce Malaga as a regular destination within its European network. This would allow the airline to tap into the growing trend of long-haul travelers seeking alternative destinations within Europe, beyond the traditional major hubs like London, Paris, or Rome.
In addition to its potential expansion in Spain, Korean Air has been increasingly focused on strengthening its position in the European market overall. Last year, the airline opened a new route to Lisbon, connecting the Portuguese capital with Seoul three times a week. This route, operated with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, allows passengers to travel directly between the two cities and offers a capacity of 278 seats. The launch of the Lisbon route was seen as a significant move by Korean Air to expand its European offerings, and the success of this route may further influence the airline’s decisions to open more connections in the region.
With both the Lisbon and Malaga trial flights, Korean Air is signaling its commitment to providing more long-haul options for travelers from South Korea to Europe. Whether for business, leisure, or cultural exploration, these flights offer a unique opportunity for passengers to connect with some of Europe’s most iconic cities, while also exploring lesser-known destinations that offer a rich and rewarding travel experience.
Korean Air is expanding its global reach with trial flights from South Korea to Spain, aiming to tap into the growing travel demand in Southern Europe and strengthen its presence in the region.
As the airline continues to expand its global network, Korean Air is positioning itself to remain a competitive force in the international aviation market, particularly in the long-haul travel sector. The trial flights to Spain are just the latest example of how the airline is working to create more opportunities for travelers and continue to grow its presence on the global stage.
