Parata Airlines, a newly emerging South Korean carrier backed by home appliances company Winia, is setting its sights on becoming the ‘second Asiana’ by targeting the premium travel market rather than engaging in a race-to-the-bottom fare war among low-cost carriers (LCCs).
Operating out of South Korea, the airline recently showcased its ‘Business Smart’ seating on flights between Incheon and Shenzhen, China. Designed to compete with full-service carriers (FSCs), the premium seats offer a generous pitch of approximately 188 cmβmore than double the distance of standard economy seatsβand a width of about 53 cm. At the touch of a button, the seats convert into a fully flat 180-degree bed.
To further elevate the passenger experience, Parata Airlines partnered with Chef Kyu-deok Choi, known for his appearance on the Netflix hit culinary show ‘Culinary Class Wars,’ to introduce high-end inflight meals such as eel rice bowls and katsu sando served in traditional Korean ceramics. Popular paid meal options also feature abalone ramen and perilla oil makguksu.
Targeting the Premium and Long-Haul Markets
Parata Airlines is strategically focusing on short-haul Chinese routes and high-end services to increase revenue per passenger and draw in business class travelers traditionally loyal to major full-service carriers. Ultimately, the airline aims to transition into a full-scale carrier operating long-haul international routes.
CEO Yoon Chul-min views the ongoing integration of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines as a prime market opportunity. By absorbing seasoned talent from major carriersβnotably around 90% of its pilots hailing from Asiana Airlines alongside veteran staff in operations, maintenance, and safetyβParata is building a robust operational foundation.
Expanding Global Routes and Maintenance Standards
The airline’s current expansion into China serves as a stepping stone toward its broader ambition of entering the North American market. Shenzhen, a dense industrial hub housing tech giants like Huawei, Tencent, and BYD, offers a strong baseline of business travelers and corporate demand.
The carrier’s first long-haul western route will connect Incheon to Los Angeles (LA), with operations targeted to begin as early as May next year. To support this growth, Parata plans to expand its current fleet of six aircraft to nine by the first half of next year and is considering the introduction of wide-body A350 aircraft by 2028.
Emphasizing safety and punctuality as core values, the airline has partnered with global maintenance provider AFI KLM E&M and joined the International Airlines Technical Pool (IATP) to ensure reliable overseas emergency support as it scales its operations.
