United Airlines Launches New Newark–Incheon Route... Targeting East Coast U.S. Travel Demand to Korea

Korea Tourism Organization Hosts Welcome Event for First Passengers at Newark Airport
Traditional Music Performances, K-Beauty Experiences Highlighted

Key East Coast Hub Connected...
Joint Marketing and Familiarization Tours with Travel Industry to Boost U.S. Tourism to Korea

United Airlines has launched a new direct flight route connecting the New York region and Incheon. This is the only nonstop route linking the New York area and Korea operated by a U.S.-based airline. The Korea Tourism Organization aims to attract American tourists by conducting joint marketing campaigns with the airline.

On the 4th, at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, United States, captains and crew members of United Airlines flight UA285 are taking a commemorative photo before departure at the opening ceremony for the new direct flight route between Newark and Incheon. Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

The Korea Tourism Organization announced on the 7th that, on the 4th, it held an inaugural ceremony for the new Newark·New York–Incheon direct flight route in partnership with United Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, USA. Newark Airport, adjacent to Manhattan in New York, is a key hub on the U.S. East Coast, serving over 200 cities in 60 countries.

According to the organization, the number of American visitors to Korea last year reached 1.4 million, an increase of approximately 37% compared to the previous year. In the first half of this year, about 810,000 Americans visited Korea, up 10.9% year-on-year. The organization expects that this new direct route will help meet the rising demand for travel between Korea and the United States and enhance accessibility for travelers from the New York region.

At the inauguration event, Korea’s tourism mascots Hojongi and Mugomi welcomed the first passengers, while the fusion gugak group Jihwaja Band gave a celebratory performance. Passengers received K-beauty travel kits and Korea tourism brochures, and traditional Korean patterned fans were provided at every seat. At the gate, passengers could sample traditional treats such as Sikhye and Yugwa, and participate in Korean calligraphy experiences.

Insook Lee, Director of the Korea Tourism Organization’s Americas Office, stated, “This new route is highly significant as it is the only direct connection between the New York area and Korea operated by a U.S. airline. We plan to activate the route through online joint marketing with United Airlines and step up the development of Korea travel packages for the U.S. travel industry through familiarization tours.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.