Buzz
Air Koryo, the national carrier and sole airline of the DPRK, harbors intriguing truths about the world's most enigmatic nation. Surprisingly, it holds a '1-star' rating and operates a fleet exclusively comprising Soviet-era aircraft.
Established in 1955, the national carrier Air Koryo, headquartered in Sunan District, Pyongyang, operates primarily from the Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. Despite North Korea's isolation, Air Koryo maintains limited international routes. Currently, it serves less than 10 destinations, a stark contrast to Vietnam Airlines, which offers flights to 69 domestic and international destinations.
Air Koryo originally formed as part of the Korean-Soviet aviation joint venture, Soviet-Korean Airline (SOKAO), established in 1950. SOKAO primarily operated flights between Pyongyang and Moscow. With the outbreak of the Korean War, SOKAO's operations were disrupted until 1953 when it resumed under the name UKAMPS, under the transport ministry of the DPRK, and later as CAAK (Chosonminhang – Korean Airways), managed by the North Korean Civil Aviation Authority. It wasn't until 1992, following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, that CAAK rebranded as Air Koryo.The fleet comprises entirely of Soviet-era aircraft with an average age of 29.8 years.
Since its inception, North Korea's airline fleet has consisted solely of Russian-made aircraft such as the Lisunov Li-2, Antonov An-2, and Illyushin Il-12. By the 1960s, Air Koryo had added Ilyushin Il-14s and Il-18s to its fleet. These aircraft were all powered by piston engines.
Air Koryo integrated Tupolev Tu-154 jetliners into its fleet in 1975 (then still operating as CAAK) for routes from Pyongyang to Prague, Czechoslovakia; the Bulgarian capital Sofia, East Berlin, and Moscow. However, due to the Tu-154's limited range, these aircraft had to refuel in Irkutsk and Novosibirsk. Currently, Air Koryo operates four Tu-154s, making it the last commercial airline still flying these nearly 50-year-old jets. The Tu-154 production ceased long ago, with most now serving in the Russian Air Force and PLA.
In 1982, North Korea's airline acquired the Ilyushin Il-62, a renowned Russian commercial passenger aircraft that was once the backbone of Aeroflot and also served as the Russian version of 'Air Force One'. The Il-62 made its maiden flight in 1963, featuring a narrow-body design, four rear-mounted engines, and its distinctive T-tail configuration.
The cockpit of the Il-62.The airline operates 4 Il-62 aircraft, with 2 serving commercial flights and 2 designated for governmental use. Air Koryo stands as the last airline in the world still operating the Il-62.Sanctions prevent Air Koryo from purchasing aircraft from the US or Europe.
In 2007 and 2009, the airline acquired the Tu-204-300 and Tu-204-100 respectively. These relatively new Russian aircraft, introduced in 1996, are still in production by Russian manufacturers such as Aviastar and are also operated by Cubana Airlines. The Tu-204's range allows Air Koryo to operate flights connecting Pyongyang with Vladivostok and Shanghai, China, as well as aspiring to serve European destinations.
The youngest addition to North Korea's fleet is the Antonov An-148, introduced in 2009 and acquired between 2012 and 2015. The An-148 is a regional jet with 70 seats.In 2019, North Korea discussed the acquisition of new Russian aircraft to gradually replace its aging fleet, particularly the Sukhoi SuperJet 100. However, with the 2006 Resolution 1718 and subsequent UN Security Council sanctions prohibiting the sale of transportation equipment, including aircraft, to North Korean military-operated airlines like Air Koryo, all UN member states are barred from selling aircraft to North Korea. Consequently, unless sanctions are eased, it will be challenging for Russia to sell aircraft to North Korea.North Korea once operated flights to Switzerland!
Chairman Kim Jong-Un often travels in a customized Il-62 for governmental purposes.North Korea's current leader, Kim Jong-Un, previously studied in Switzerland. Before UN and European Union sanctions prohibited flights into its airspace, Kim Jong-Un frequently traveled between Pyongyang and Zurich aboard his preferred aircraft, the Il-62.
A Tupolev-134 aircraft being piloted.In March 2006, Air Koryo faced a European airspace ban due to safety concerns. North Korea's airline failed to address safety issues ranging from maintenance, aircraft operational standards, to the country's oversight and management of Air Koryo, overall failing to meet the requirements of the Chicago Convention.Only in March 2010, after acquiring 2 Tu-204 aircraft, did Air Koryo regain permission to fly into European airspace, albeit restricted to operating with the Tu-204. These Tu-204s were equipped with necessary equipment to comply with mandatory international standards.
An Air Koryo staff member walking on the roof of a Tu-154 aircraft.In addition to Europe, Air Koryo previously operated international routes such as Pyongyang - Kuala Lumpur in 2011. However, following the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Air Koryo's operations in Malaysia were temporarily suspended. Operations resumed in 2012 but the route was ultimately discontinued in 2014, shifting focus to expanding services to Shenzhen, China.In 2011, Air Koryo also enhanced its services in Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait, with weekly flights operated by Tu-204 aircraft, available during the peak tourist season from April to October.Currently, Air Koryo maintains scheduled flights to 6 destinations, including 4 international destinations: Beijing, Dandong, Macau, and Vladivostok; and 2 domestic destinations: Chongjin and Samjiyon.Dubbed as the '1-star airline' or the 'world's worst airline'
According to Skytrax ratings, the '1-star' label is based on overall flight experience, encompassing factors like comfort, noise level, seating, in-flight entertainment, and ground services such as lounge access and airport transfers... Despite being an unofficial rating by a private organization, the '1-star airline' moniker piques curiosity about Air Koryo, leading many travel bloggers to seek out experiences with the airline. Contrary to online rumors, Air Koryo's service is not as bad as portrayed, as evidenced by renowned aviation vlogger Sam Chui's video reviews.
Air Koryo flight attendants are truly 'astonished'.Flying with Air Koryo offers a truly unique experience, one that aviation enthusiasts surely desire to try at least once. It's not every day you get the chance to sit on these iconic Soviet-era planes in today's world. Moreover, the in-flight service is quite distinct. Instead of watching Hollywood movies or reading fashion magazines like Gucci, you'll read the Pyongyang Times and watch performances by Moranbong - North Korea's first all-female band, personally selected by Kim Jong-Un, sporting modern attire like short dresses, high heels, and short hair instead of traditional Hanboks.
Air Koryo also offers a business class on its flights, albeit in limited numbers. The airline has established a business lounge in the new terminal in Pyongyang, completed in 2016. This lounge offers a variety of food and beverages, with Air Koryo staff providing warm welcomes and table service. To access the business lounge, passengers must fly business class on Air Koryo or Air China - the only airline with flights to Pyongyang.Propaganda content broadcasted on the in-flight entertainment system
Air Koryo offers limited entertainment content on its in-flight entertainment system, mostly consisting of videos showcasing classical music performances and state propaganda about North Korea. There are typically 10 screens on board, added onto the old Soviet-era planes by Air Koryo, and all passengers have to watch the same content, with no customization options. So, if you happen to experience Air Koryo and don't wish to listen to these contents, it's advisable to bring noise-canceling headphones.Air Koryo's 'mysterious' meat sandwich, the Koryo Burger
Despite being a closed-off country with a strong traditional culture and Soviet influence, the burger is the only option served to economy class passengers. This meat sandwich, known as the Koryo Burger, is perhaps akin to Vietnam Airlines' 'cold bread.' It comes chilled, as if taken straight from a refrigerator, with uncertain meat, a slice of cheese, a few slices of thinly cut cabbage or lettuce, accompanied by a mysterious red or brown sauce.
Certainly, in business class, Air Koryo serves a variety of higher-quality meals, including wine or beer.Air Koryo's longest flight lasts 3 hours
This is flight JS158, departing at 12:30 a.m. from Shanghai and arriving in Pyongyang at 3:20 a.m. local time, lasting 2 hours and 50 minutes. JS158 operates twice a week, departing from Shanghai on Mondays and Fridays to bring tourists to the most mysterious country in the world. This route was temporarily suspended since August 2017 amidst escalating tensions following North Korea's long-range missile tests and only recently resumed.*Natgeo has a stunning collection of photos featuring Air Koryo. Check them out here: Pictures of North Korea's Soviet Planes (nationalgeographic.com)
