Carrier takes 5 gold and 3 silver awards

across airline overall and service categories

Korean Air won eight awards at the 2026 Magellan Awards, presented by US travel trade publication Travel Weekly. [Korean Air]
Korean Air won eight awards at the 2026 Magellan Awards, presented by US travel trade publication Travel Weekly. [Korean Air]

Korean Air won eight awards at the 2026 Magellan Awards, presented by US travel trade publication Travel Weekly, the airline announced Wednesday.

The carrier took gold — the top honor — in five categories: international airline and service under the airline overall division, and first class, airport lounge, and in-flight food and beverage service under the airline service elements division.

In addition, Korean Air received silver awards in three categories: technology solutions under the airline overall division, and business class and eco-friendly sustainable airline under the airline service elements division.

The Magellan Awards recognize companies and organizations across the global travel industry for outstanding achievement in brand, service, marketing and design. This year's winners were selected by a panel of 17 industry experts who evaluated each entrant's work carried out during 2025.

The wins reflect the airline's ongoing investment and service upgrades aimed at elevating the customer travel experience. The international airline and service categories — which assess overall excellence and service quality as a global carrier — earned gold for the second consecutive year. First class and in-flight food and beverage service, both extensively revamped under the airline's new corporate identity, also claimed gold for the second straight year, while business class drew strong marks from the global travel industry.

Particular praise went to Korean Air's airport lounges, which the carrier has been rolling out starting at Incheon International Airport. Judges noted that the lounges redefine the waiting area as a destination in its own right, with a design philosophy rooted in Korean aesthetics that reflects the stature of the country's national flag carrier.

The airline's innovative technology solutions were also cited as a differentiating factor. Korean Air has been rapidly transitioning toward a digital-first operation, applying advanced technology across fuel management, predictive maintenance, global logistics, an AI-powered intelligent customer center and an AI chatbot.

The carrier also scored highly for integrating sustainability into its flight operations and cabin supplies. Korean Air has implemented a range of carbon-reduction policies, including expanding the use of fuel-efficient aircraft and optimizing cruising speeds, cutting carbon emissions from flight operations last year by about 485,000 metric tons compared with the previous year.

The airline is gradually introducing plant-based materials for in-flight meal containers and actively pursues resource circulation through upcycling of waste materials. It also runs social contribution programs at home and abroad, including a reforestation project in Mongolia where employees plant and tend trees at a site called the Korean Air Forest.

"We will continue to strengthen customer-centered service and lead technological innovation to uphold our reputation as a global network carrier," a Korean Air official said.

Meanwhile, Korean Air recently placed third in both the global airline and global airport lounge categories at the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards presented by luxury travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, further demonstrating its competitiveness in the global aviation market.


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