The New Korean Air: The Airline Debuts New Brand and Livery After Four Decades

Korean Air just pulled back the curtain on a brand-new identity and aircraft livery—the first time they’ve made such a major change in over 40 years. They revealed it on March 11, 2025,, in Seoul, showing off a Boeing 787-10 freshly painted in the new design. This big refresh comes at a crucial time: Korean Air recently bought Asiana Airlines and plans to merge both carriers under a single look. The updated brand isn’t just about appearances—it sets the tone for where Korean Air is headed as they combine with Asiana and keep up with modern design trends.

Why the Rebrand Matters

This is the first time since 1984 that Korean Air has revamped its logo and plane design, marking the end of a 41-year run of its famous light-blue style. The timing is no accident: As Korean Air absorbs Asiana (finishing by 2027), a fresh brand helps them present themselves as one unified airline. Many experts also see this as Korean Air embracing a global design trend that emphasizes simpler, more minimalist visuals. Overall, it’s a chance to show the world that while they respect their heritage, they’re evolving to meet today’s demands—especially as they grow into a mega-carrier in Asia.

Key Updates to Korean Air’s Livery

Shorter Name on the Fuselage. The airplanes now read “KOREAN” in big, bold letters rather than “Korean Air.” The text is larger, sleeker, and in a deep blue. You’ll still see the Korean text 대한항공 near the nose, but the overall vibe is more streamlined.
All-Blue and White Color Scheme. They dropped the red accents completely. The top half of each plane remains a sky blue (now a bit darker) with a special metallic paint that makes it glisten under lights—even at night. The bottom half is white instead of gray, creating a sharper contrast.
New Tail Emblem. Inspired by South Korea’s taegeuk symbol, the round tail logo is now just one solid color (dark blue). They removed the red part to keep things simple and understated. The swirl is also a bit bigger, so it still stands out even though it’s now monochrome.
Curved Divide Instead of a Cheatline. The straight stripe that used to run along the fuselage is gone. In its place, there’s a smooth, wavy boundary between the light blue top and white bottom. This gives the plane a softer, more contemporary look.
Updated Font and Extras. The font for “KOREAN” is new, with subtle curves inspired by Korean calligraphy. They also placed the taegeuk symbol in dark blue on the belly of the aircraft—something they had never done before—so folks could spot it from below.

Industry and Passenger Reactions

People are definitely talking about this change. Some love the sleek, modern feel and say it makes Korean Air look “global.” Others think the design is too plain, missing that bold red-and-blue yin-yang that was so unique. Some aviation fans say the new look blends in with other blue-and-white liveries (like KLM or TUI), while others think it’s a classy update that’ll grow on folks over time. Either way, it’s generating buzz and showing that Korean Air is serious about stepping into a fresh era.

Comparing Old and New

Old (1984–2024)

Light “celestial” blue body, a red-and-blue taegeuk on the tail, and “Korean Air” in English up front. The bottom of the fuselage was a silver-gray color, and the bright two-tone tail was instantly recognizable.

New (2025)

Keeps the sky-blue concept but uses a slightly darker shade with a metallic finish. There’s no red—only various blues and white. The plane now says “KOREAN” in extra-large font, and the taegeuk on the tail is a single blue swirl. Instead of a straight line separating colors, there’s a gentle curve, which gives a softer, more modern appearance.

Korean Air's Evolution of the Taegeuk Sumbol (2025 Rebrand)

Full Stack Rebrand: Website Updated

After the presentation, Korean Air went live with updates across all their websites and launched new apps.

Korean Air's Website With The 2025 Rebrand

Korean Air's Website Before 2025 Rebrand

When You’ll See It

Korean Air’s first plane with the new paint job went into service on March 12, 2025, flying from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita. Repainting a wide-body jet can take around two weeks, so the airline will roll this out gradually through 2026 as jets come up for maintenance or arrive new.

Meanwhile, Asiana is still operating under its own branding, but around 2026, they’ll start painting Asiana’s planes in the new Korean Air colors, too. The plan is that by January 1, 2027—when the merger is fully wrapped up—all planes will match the new scheme, and the two airlines will operate as one. Airport signs, uniforms, frequent-flyer materials, and everything else will also switch to the new branding.

Official Presentation (Video)

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