Korean Air’s 20-year Las Vegas run helps chart global air service growth

A partnership that includes what arguably is the most successful nonstop overseas air route to and from Harry Reid International was celebrated at the airport Tuesday.

Korean Air’s daily service between Las Vegas and Seoul, South Korea, observed a milestone 20th anniversary with passengers on Tuesday’s inbound flight being greeted by showgirls and champagne.

Korean Air is among the longest-serving long-haul international airlines at Reid. The airline has steadily expanded its Las Vegas service over two decades in response to demand, evolving from three weekly flights to five weekly flights before introducing daily nonstop service in November 2024.

Every day, just after 4 p.m., Flight 5 arrives in a twin-engine Boeing 777 jet after its 11-hour flight from Incheon International Airport. And, just before midnight, as Flight 6, the jet makes its 12-to-13-hour return flight to Seoul.

The Korean Air model of starting slow in September 2006 with three flights a week, ramping up as demand increased, has been a template for other international carriers on flights to Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, Air France began service between Paris and Las Vegas using a similar model.

Korean Air has the advantage of using Incheon – an airport with an attached Walkerhill-branded hotel – as a hub for other Korean Air flights to several destinations in Asia.

Knowing that inbound travelers may have layovers, managers of the hotel rent rooms in six-hour blocks for passengers who want to relax before continuing their journeys.

Serving the world for more than 55 years, Korean Air is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, carrying more than 25 million passengers in 2025. With its global hub at Incheon, the airline serves 116 cities in 39 countries on five continents with a fleet of 166 aircraft and over 20,000 employees.

Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, and has grown into one of the largest transpacific airlines through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.