< Reveal sidebar

Livery of the Week: Korean Air’s New Design

Korean Air's new livery features a new stylized version of the iconic Taegeuk symbol.

Korean Air new livery

The first aircraft painted in Korean Air’s new livery, a Boeing 787-10 registered as HL8515 (Photo: Korean Air)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result. 

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line

Earlier this week, South Korean flag carrier Korean Air revealed a new livery and corporate identity. Although the first aircraft in the new livery had been spotted prior to the unveiling, the formal announcement occurred at the airline’s headquarters hangar in Seoul.

The livery will continue to feature a bright blue fuselage but also has some key changes. Instead of “Korean Air” being painted on the side of the aircraft, it simply now says “Korean” in a larger, more modern font. Like the previous livery, the belly of the new livery is white, but the separation between blue and white is a curved line instead of a straight one.

Perhaps most notable is the change to the iconic Taegeuk symbol. The symbol – which is featured in blue and red on the South Korean flag – represents balance and harmony in the universe. In Korean’s previous livery, the Taegeuk was featured on the tail and as the letter “O” in “Korean Air” on the fuselage and the top portion was red. However, the new livery features a more modern version of the symbol, with only blue used.

The first aircraft to receive the new livery is a Boeing 787-10 registered as HL8515. It flew its first passenger flight in the new livery on March 12, 2025, operating as Korean Air Flight 703 from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Tokyo Narita (NRT).

Alongside the livery, Korean also introduced a new corporate identity, including a proprietary typeface and new iconography. The changes mark the first major brand update since 1984 when the carrier introduced the Taegeuk symbol.

Korean completed an acquisition of South Korea’s other major carrier – Asiana – last December. The brand identities of the two carriers are expected to remain separate until 2027.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Andrew Chen

Author

  • Andrew Chen

    Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.

    View all posts

Subscribe to AirlineGeeks' Daily Check-In

Receive a daily dose of the airline industry's top stories along with market insights right in your inbox.

Related Stories
Lone Star One

Livery of the Week: Lone Star One

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline…

Brussels Airlines Airbus A320 "Atomium" taking off from Brussels Zavantem with the Atomium in the background

Livery of the Week: Brussels Airlines Celebrates Atomium

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline…

Copa special livery

Livery of the Week: Copa Partners With the MLB

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline…