Air Premia's Bold Move: All Economy Seats to Feature 33-inch Space by 2026!

[Korea Financial News — Shin Hye-ju] Air Premia (CEO Yoo Myung-seop) has completed seat reconfigurations on 7 of its 9 aircraft, bringing the carrier close to a fleetwide standard of 33-inch economy seating. The airline is improving cabin comfort by removing seats to increase pitch and create more legroom.

Removing 18 seats to expand seat pitch

Air Premia increased the economy seat pitch on aircraft HL8701 from 31 inches to 33 inches on the 16th.

The core of the upgrade was a seat-count reconfiguration. By widening the pitch, the plane’s total capacity fell from 344 seats to 326 — a reduction of 18 seats. The retrofitted HL8701 will enter service on the Los Angeles route, where passengers will be able to experience the extra space firsthand.
This move follows the brand philosophy Air Premia set from the start. The airline currently operates nine aircraft with these seat configurations: three with 309 seats, two with 320 seats, two with 326 seats, and two with 344 seats.

When Air Premia brought three Boeing 787-9s into its fleet in 2020, those planes were designed from the outset with 309 seats: 56 premium-economy and 253 economy seats.

Economy pitch on those aircraft was set at 35 inches — wider than the 31–33 inches common among full-service carriers and well above the 27–29 inches typical of low-cost airlines. The premium-economy section, offering 42 inches of pitch in place of first or business class, also provides more than 4 inches of additional legroom compared with many competitors.

In 2024, Air Premia reconfigured two aircraft from 338 seats down to 320 to increase passenger space. A 344-seat plane added at the end of 2025 had already been adjusted to 326 seats before entering service. With the HL8701 update, only two aircraft remain at 344 seats. Air Premia plans to finish retrofitting those two aircraft later this year.

Alongside the seat adjustments, Air Premia replaced the cabin carpet. The new carpet, produced using digital-print technology, incorporates the carrier’s brand identity into the cabin design. It’s lighter than the previous material, contributing to aircraft weight reduction and offering potential fuel savings and environmental benefits.

An Air Premia representative said, "We are continuously improving seat space and the cabin environment so long-haul travelers can fly more comfortably. We will keep rolling out service enhancements that elevate the customer experience."

New Washington, D.C. route speeds up U.S. expansion

The carrier is also accelerating route growth. Starting April 24, Air Premia will launch four weekly scheduled flights (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) between Incheon and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The service is a strategic step to diversify the airline’s U.S. network and broaden its revenue base.

Washington, D.C., is the heart of U.S. government and international diplomacy. Nearby northern Virginia hosts dense clusters of defense, aerospace and advanced-technology industries, creating steady business travel demand from government and research institutions.

The region also draws leisure travelers for its cultural and historical attractions. With icons like the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial nearby — and many museums offering free admission — visitors often face lower daily expenses than in other U.S. cities, a competitive advantage.
Washington Dulles International Airport serves as a major gateway to the U.S. metro area, providing easy access to government agencies and a dense transfer network linking major U.S. cities. Air Premia says the new route will maximize east-coast connectivity and give long-haul travelers more options.

Shin Hye-ju, Korea Financial News hjs0509@fntimes.com