On December 12, 2024, Korean Air celebrated 30 years of serving non-stop flights between Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
To mark the anniversary, the airline awarded a complimentary round-trip economy class ticket between Atlanta and Seoul to the 30th passenger checking in for flight KE036 to Seoul.
As a token of appreciation, all passengers on the flight were also given a tote bag and a jar of honey from Georgia’s Savannah region.
Additionally, the South Korean flag carrier hosted a celebratory dinner in downtown Atlanta on December 9, 2024, attended by special guests including representatives from the Korean Consulate, industry partners, key travel agencies, members of the media and Korean Air representatives.
“On this special occasion, we sincerely thank our customers for their steadfast support over the past 30 years and for choosing Korean Air as their preferred travel partner,” Jin Ho Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Americas Regional Headquarters at Korean Air said in a statement.
“We remain committed to strengthening ties between Korea and Atlanta and providing excellent service for years to come,” Lee added.
Korean Air’s Atlanta service was launched on December 12, 1994, initially operating three flights per week from Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) via Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Today, the route operates daily flights, underscoring its significance in facilitating business, logistics, tourism and cultural exchanges between South Korea and the United States.
Since the 1990s, South Korean companies have invested deeply in Georgia, with several opening manufacturing plants within the Peach State. According to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, South Korean companies such as Hyundai Motor Group, Hanwha Qcells and SK Group have become household names in some corners of the state, employing the equivalent of the population of small towns.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development continues to forge trade and economic ties with South Korea. A June 2024 report by the State of Georgia noted that total trade between Georgia and Korea totaled over $15.8 billion in the calendar year 2023, accounting for nearly 10 percent of the state’s total trade.