Routes cover Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Hanoi and Manila

73 flights to operate from November

Bookings open Wednesday morning

An Asiana Airlines A350 aircraft [Asiana Airlines]
An Asiana Airlines A350 aircraft [Asiana Airlines]

Asiana Airlines will add a large number of mileage-bookable special flights on popular short- and medium-haul routes to Japan, China and Southeast Asia, operating a total of 73 flights across five routes: Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Hanoi and Manila.

The airline announced Wednesday that it will run international mileage special flights from November through December.

On the Japan routes — Tokyo and Osaka — 26 flights will operate from Nov. 3 to Nov. 28. The Beijing route will see 26 flights from Nov. 9 to Nov. 27, while 21 flights have been scheduled on the Vietnam and Philippines routes — Hanoi and Manila — from Nov. 4 to Dec. 10.

Bookings open Wednesday at 9 a.m. All remaining seats on the special flights will be available as mileage tickets, and depending on availability, passengers may also purchase seats with cash, giving travelers the choice of payment method.

The mileage required is 15,000 miles one way for economy class and 22,500 miles for business class on Japan and China routes. Southeast Asia routes require 20,000 miles for economy and 30,000 miles for business class.

However, flights during peak travel periods will deduct 50 percent more mileage than usual.

The special flights are centered on short- and medium-haul routes with steady travel demand. Tokyo and Osaka remain highly popular among Korean travelers, partly due to the weak yen, while Beijing has become more accessible since China introduced a visa-free entry policy for South Korean nationals.

Hanoi and Manila also see consistent demand for both tourism and business travel. Asiana Airlines said it plans to expand mileage seat supply by focusing on routes with high traveler preference, broadening the ways customers can use their miles.

The airline is also widening mileage redemption options beyond air tickets. Asiana Airlines regularly refreshes its product lineup on OZ Mile Shop, its dedicated mileage shopping mall, and runs quarterly promotions.

A prize event marking the second anniversary of OZ Mile Shop's launch began Monday. Visitors to the site will receive random prizes, while customers who purchase products with mileage will be entered into a draw for additional prizes based on their spending amount.

"We will continue to work to help customers use their mileage more conveniently and in a wider variety of ways," an Asiana Airlines official said.

Meanwhile, a plan to integrate the mileage programs of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines was recently finalized. After the merger, Asiana Airlines mileage can be used separately for 10 years. If converted to Korean Air mileage, flight miles will transfer at a 1-to-1 ratio, while partner miles will convert at a rate of 1 to 0.82. The proportion of bonus seats supplied will also be maintained at existing levels after the integration.


kwater@heraldcorp.com