SEOUL— Asiana Airlines (OZ) is significantly reducing flight frequencies between Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) and key U.S. cities for the upcoming winter 2025 schedule. The most notable reduction affects the Seoul–San Francisco International Airport (SFO) route, which will see a 50% drop in service.
Data from Cirium reveals that from November to December 2025, the airline will operate only five weekly flights between ICN and SFO, down from the usual 10 during the same period last year. Additionally, flights to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will be scaled back by 20% in September and October.
Photo: By byeangel from Tsingtao, China – HL7793 | Asiana Airlines | Airbus A330-323 | ICN, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40388039Asiana Airlines Reduces San Francisco, Seattle Flights
Asiana Airlines (OZ) has long maintained regular transpacific routes between South Korea and the United States, particularly to San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA), Simple Flying reported.
The ICN–SFO route, which began in the early 1990s, is currently operated using the Airbus A350-900—a modern long-haul aircraft seating 311 passengers across three classes.
For the winter 2025 schedule, Asiana will operate only five flights weekly between ICN and SFO, a sharp decline from the typical 10 weekly services seen in previous winters.
The flight covers approximately 4,917 nautical miles (9,106 km) and lasts around 11 hours. Competing services on the same corridor include Korean Air (KE), Air Premia (YP), and United Airlines (UA), which use Boeing 777-300ERs and 787-9 Dreamliners.
In parallel, Asiana is also reducing flight frequency on its ICN–SEA route from seven to five weekly services for September and October 2025.
This route is typically flown with the Boeing 777-200ER, which accommodates 300 passengers in a two-class layout. The ICN–SEA flight spans 4,533 nautical miles (8,394 km).
Image: AirbusCompetitive Landscape and Aircraft Utilization
Asiana Airlines (OZ) currently operates 15 Airbus A350-900s, with seating for 28 in business, 36 in premium economy, and 247 in economy. The airline is awaiting delivery of 15 more A350-900s, though they are expected to be delivered in Korean Air (KE) livery following the merger.
For its Seattle operations, Asiana relies on a fleet of nine Boeing 777-200ERs. These aircraft are also used on other long-haul routes and offer 22 business class and 278 economy class seats.
Despite Asiana’s reductions, the routes remain competitive. Korean Air (KE), Delta Air Lines (DL), and Air Premia (YP) continue to serve the U.S. West Coast.
Beginning September 2025, Alaska Airlines (AS), leveraging Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787s, will introduce direct flights between Seattle and Seoul, following the Alaska-Hawaiian merger.
Photo: Aero Icarus | FlickrThe Korean Air-Asiana Airlines Merger Timeline
The South Korean government approved the long-anticipated merger between Korean Air (KE) and Asiana Airlines (OZ) in 2020. On December 12, 2024, Korean Air acquired a controlling 63.88% stake in Asiana by purchasing over 131 million newly issued shares, making Asiana a subsidiary.
The merged entity will consolidate operations over the next two years, with full integration targeted by December 2026. Korean Air has clarified that no workforce cuts are planned during the transition. Both airlines currently operate major hubs at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN).
Photo: Clément AlloingImplications for U.S.–South Korea Air Travel
These route cuts signal a realignment in transpacific strategy, potentially influenced by ongoing fleet optimization and network restructuring amid the merger.
Though service reductions may affect traveler flexibility in the short term, the consolidation aims to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the long term.
As the Korean Air–Asiana merger progresses, travelers can expect further changes in scheduling, aircraft types, and alliance memberships. Monitoring developments on ICN–SFO and ICN–SEA routes will be critical for frequent flyers and airline industry analysts alike.
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