Tiny Asian Airline Launches New 15-Hour Boeing 787 Flights to US

Air Premia, a South Korean airline, is set to expand its reach to the United States with a new route to Washington Dulles International Airport. Scheduled to commence on April 24, 2026, these flights will link Seoul Incheon to Washington, D.C., during a peak travel season.

Flight Schedule and Duration

Air Premia plans to operate four weekly flights to Washington Dulles, making it the longest U.S. route for the airline. Each flight is anticipated to last approximately 15 hours and 25 minutes due to planned airspace restrictions, avoiding Russian airspace.

Flight Details

• Departure from Incheon: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays at 10:05 AM
• Arrival at Dulles: 10:50 AM (same day)
• Return Flight: 1:20 PM from Dulles, arriving the next day at 5:45 PM

Market Context

This new service comes amid a growing demand for air travel in the Seoul-D.C. corridor, which recorded approximately 154,000 passengers over the past year. Air Premia will be competing with Korean Air for this route, marking the first time two airlines will serve the Seoul-Dulles market directly.

Competitive Landscape

In addition to Washington Dulles, Air Premia is establishing charter flights to Las Vegas, starting in January 2026. The airline’s network includes other U.S. destinations such as Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Honolulu.

Fleet and Capacity

Air Premia operates a fleet of eight Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with a new addition expected soon. The planes have configurations that range from 309 to 344 seats, catering to different passenger needs and preferences.

Future Plans

As of December 2025, Air Premia plans to operate a total of 31 weekly flights to various U.S. destinations. This includes 11 flights to Los Angeles, daily service to Newark, and five flights to San Francisco each week.

Passenger Traffic Insights

The collective passenger volume from the D.C. area to Asia, which includes Dulles, Reagan, and Baltimore airports, reached approximately 1.5 million in the last year. Tokyo and Seoul were the top markets, with 185,000 and 154,000 passengers respectively, highlighting the competitive nature of air travel in the region.

As Air Premia gears up for its Washington D.C. launch, it is positioning itself to capture a share of the growing air travel market, providing more options for passengers inspired by the expanding U.S.-South Korea travel demand.