Asiana Airlines (IATA code: OZ) is an airline based in Seoul, as well as a member of Star Alliance, the largest aviation alliance in the world. Its headquarter, which also serves as the airline’s international hub, is located at Incheon International Airport. In addition, Asiana Airlines also makes Gimpo International Airport as its domestic hub. Asiana Airlines, which has been awarded a five-star rating and Best Economy Class Airline by Skytrax, operates its flight service on 11 Korean domestic routes and 79 international routes, as well as 23 international cargo flight routes. The airline’s flight routes cover 10 cities in Korea, 65 cities across 23 countries, as well 25 cities across 11 countries for its cargo service. All Asiana Airlines’ flight classes are equipped with in-flight entertainment facilities, meal service, 110V power supply system, and paid services for a satellite phone, SMS, and email. Offering six flight classes—ranging from Economy Class, Economy Smartium Class, Business Class, Business Smartium Class, First Class, to First Suite Class—Asiana Airlines provides its passengers with the freedom to choose their own level of comfort. Passengers who want more comfort during the flight in the Economy Class cabin can choose to fly in Economy Smartium Class. The same goes with Business Class and First Class. Passengers opting for the elevated variation of the three main classes—Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class—will get to enjoy more exclusive services and facilities such as the LCD Seat Function Control Unit which provides a one-touch-screen for the control over all functions of the seats in First Suite Class, a staggered seat layout and AVOD system in Business Smartium Class, or more spacious legroom in the Economy Smartium Class. These classes also determine the baggage capacity allowed for each passenger. Economy Class and Economy Smartium Class passengers are entitled to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kg each. Business Class and Business Smartium Class passengers are also allowed to carry two pieces of checked baggage, but with a maximum weight of 32 kg each. Meanwhile, First Class and First Suite Class passengers are allowed three pieces of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 32 kg each. Asiana Airlines also provides a free baggage allowance for infants, which is one piece of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kg and either one stroller, bassinet, or a baby car seat. To board the plane, Asiana Airlines are required to check in and obtain a boarding pass. Passengers can check in directly at the airport, either at Asiana Airlines’ check-in counters or at the self-check-in kiosks. Passengers on a Korean domestic flight are required to check in at least 20 minutes prior to departure, while international passengers are required to check in at least 60 minutes prior to departure. As an alternative, passengers can also opt to check-in online, which is available from 48 hours to 30 minutes before a domestic flight departure, or from 48 hours to 60 minutes before an international flight departure. Aside from the flight services mentioned above, Asiana Airlines also offers a frequent flyer program, Asiana Club, to reward its loyal passengers. This program enables passengers to earn points or miles every time they fly with Asiana Airlines or other airlines partners within Star Alliance. Accumulated points then can be redeemed for various benefits such as free flights with Asiana Airlines and its airline partners. To become an Asiana Club member, passengers just need to register themselves through Asiana Airlines website or complete the form available in Asiana Airlines branch offices. The program itself is divided into five tier of membership levels, from Silver, Gold, Diamond, Diamond Plus, to Platinum, each with different awards and benefits.

Asiana Airlines was founded by Kumho Asiana Group on 17 February 1988. The airline started operating its flight in December 1988 using a Boeing 737 Classic aircraft, flying from Busan to Gwangju. In 1989, Asiana Airlines introduced its regular flight service to Jeju, Gwangju, and Daegu. Later that year, the airline also opened an international charter service from Sendai to Japan. In the 1990s, Asiana Airlines operated its new international flight to Tokyo, Nagoya, Sendai, and Fukuoka. At the time, the airline had already owned nine units of Boeing 747-700 aircraft, 10 units of Boeing 767-300 aircraft, and eight units of Boeing 737-400 aircraft. In early 1991, it was announced that Asiana Airlines had expanded its international flight routes to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Asiana Airlines also introduced a transpacific flight to Los Angeles, which started to operate on December of the same year, using a Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft. In 1993, Asiana Airlines started its flight service to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The airline continued to expand its network to Vienna, Brussels, and Honolulu, which were introduced in the mid-1990s. Asiana Airlines also began to focus on being an environmentally friendly company since the mid-1990s. One of the efforts done by the airlines is by completely banning in-flight smoking and cigarette sales in 1995. The company was even recognized for being the first environmentally friendly company within the service industry by the Korean Ministry of Environment. Some of Asiana Airlines’ other environmental initiatives include an emissions measurement and reduction system, reducing pollution from ground facilities, and partnering with the Rainforest Alliance to serve coffee which beans are grown and harvested on farms that follow sustainable practices. Since the 2000s, Asiana Airlines has put its focus on developing its long-haul flight service and fleet modernization. In 2004, Asiana Airlines added Airbus A330 and Boeing 777-200ER aircraft to its fleet and expanded its route to mainland China. As of July 2017, the airline’s fleet size is amounting up to 82 aircraft. On 28 January 2003, Asiana Airlines officially became a member of Star Alliance, the largest aviation alliance in the world. This allows Asiana Airlines to expand its network further by adding more international flight routes to its service. Currently, Asiana Airlines serves 79 international routes, covering 65 cities across 23 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. As of December 2013, the airline operates a total of 90 transpacific flights per week.