Asiana Airlines (OZ) is set to decrease its flight frequencies between South Korea and the United States during the winter 2025 season, with significant reductions primarily affecting routes to San Francisco and Seattle.
The most notable cut will occur on the Seoul–San Francisco (SFO) route, where capacity will be reduced by half, offering only five flights each week from November to December 2025.
Asiana’s schedule will now reflect this decrease, taking approximately 11 hours to cover the 4,917 nautical miles (9,106 km) separating the two cities.
This reduction is a part of the airline’s strategy to better allocate its fleet and enhance operational efficiency.
The airline has been a significant player in transpacific air travel, holding well-established connections between Seoul and major cities in the U.S. since the early 1990s.
The ICN–SFO route is currently operated using the Airbus A350-900, which accommodates 311 passengers across three classes.
In addition to the San Francisco route, service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will also see a 20% reduction in flights during September and October 2025, dropping from seven to five weekly flights.
Asiana typically utilizes the Boeing 777-200ER for these Seattle routes, offering a capacity of up to 300 passengers in two classes and covering a distance of 4,533 nautical miles (8,394 km) in around 10.5 hours.
Despite these cutbacks, competition remains robust on these popular transpacific routes, with other airlines such as Korean Air, United Airlines, and Air Premia providing services between South Korea and the West Coast of the U.S.
Notably, Alaska Airlines plans to launch nonstop service between Seattle and Seoul in September 2025, in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, which is expected to intensify the competition further.
Furthermore, these adjustments in flights coincide with the ongoing merger between Asiana Airlines and Korean Air, which aims to enhance operational efficiency in the airline sector.
The South Korean government approved this consolidation in 2020, and Korean Air acquired a controlling interest in Asiana in December 2024, ultimately resulting in Asiana becoming a subsidiary of Korean Air.
The complete integration of the two carriers is anticipated to take effect by December 2026, which is expected to lead to an adjustment of flight schedules across numerous routes, including destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, and Istanbul.
Currently, both airlines maintain large hubs at Seoul Incheon International Airport, and the merger aims to bolster their competitiveness in the market.
Korean Air has committed to avoiding layoffs during this integration process, which reflects a focus on maintaining workforce stability amid these changes.
The impact of these service reductions may signal a strategic shift at Asiana concerning its transpacific operations, likely aimed at optimizing its fleet and network structure.
While passengers traveling between the U.S. and South Korea may experience fewer options in the short term, the long-term objective appears to be towards improved operational efficiency.
Travelers are encouraged to stay informed about these developments, as further schedule modifications, fleet changes, and market dynamics are expected as the Korean Air-Asiana merger progresses.
The evolving landscape in air travel is likely to reshape the U.S.-South Korea aviation market for the foreseeable future.
image source from：travelandtourworld
