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Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count

Business

Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count
Business

Business

Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count

2026-03-16 20:00 Last Updated At:20:15

  • Economy seat pitch on aircraft HL8701 increased from 31 to 33 inches
  • Total seat count adjusted from 344 to 326 as part of cabin space and comfort upgrades, including new carpet installation

SEOUL, South Korea, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Premia, Korea's only hybrid airline, has enhanced passenger comfort by reducing the total number of seats while expanding seat pitch to enhance passenger comfort.

The airline announced that the economy class seat pitch on aircraft HL8701 has been increased from 31 inches to 33 inches. Following the adjustment, the aircraft's total seat capacity has been reduced from 344 seats to 326 seats, a decrease of 18 seats.

Unlike the common industry practice of increasing seat density to improve profitability, Air Premia has focused on expanding seat space to improve passenger comfort and overall travel experience.

The aircraft completed its seat reconfiguration in mid-March and entered service on March 16. Passengers on flights operated by this aircraft will now experience the expanded seat pitch.

Air Premia has been continuously improving seat space to enhance comfort for passengers traveling on long-haul routes. In 2024, the airline also reconfigured two aircraft previously operating with 338 seats, reducing them to 320 seats while expanding economy class seat pitch.

The airline is currently carrying out sequential seat adjustments on aircraft configured with 344 seats, with plans to expand the economy class seat pitch on all aircraft to 33 inches or more within this year.

Air Premia currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft, configured with 309 seats (three aircraft), 320 seats (two aircraft), 326 seats (two aircraft), and 344 seats (two aircraft). All aircraft except the 344-seat configuration currently operate with an economy class seat pitch of 33 inches or greater.

Along with the seat pitch expansion, Air Premia has also replaced the cabin carpet. The newly installed carpet is produced using digital printing technology, allowing the airline's brand identity to be naturally incorporated into the cabin interior design.

In addition, the new carpet is lighter than the previous version, contributing to aircraft weight reduction and supporting environmental benefits such as improved fuel efficiency.

"Air Premia is committed to continuously improving seat space and the cabin environment so that passengers traveling on long-haul routes can enjoy a more comfortable journey," an Air Premia official said. "We will continue to introduce various service enhancements to further elevate the customer experience."

  • Economy seat pitch on aircraft HL8701 increased from 31 to 33 inches
  • Total seat count adjusted from 344 to 326 as part of cabin space and comfort upgrades, including new carpet installation

SEOUL, South Korea, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Premia, Korea's only hybrid airline, has enhanced passenger comfort by reducing the total number of seats while expanding seat pitch to enhance passenger comfort.

The airline announced that the economy class seat pitch on aircraft HL8701 has been increased from 31 inches to 33 inches. Following the adjustment, the aircraft's total seat capacity has been reduced from 344 seats to 326 seats, a decrease of 18 seats.

Unlike the common industry practice of increasing seat density to improve profitability, Air Premia has focused on expanding seat space to improve passenger comfort and overall travel experience.

The aircraft completed its seat reconfiguration in mid-March and entered service on March 16. Passengers on flights operated by this aircraft will now experience the expanded seat pitch.

Air Premia has been continuously improving seat space to enhance comfort for passengers traveling on long-haul routes. In 2024, the airline also reconfigured two aircraft previously operating with 338 seats, reducing them to 320 seats while expanding economy class seat pitch.

The airline is currently carrying out sequential seat adjustments on aircraft configured with 344 seats, with plans to expand the economy class seat pitch on all aircraft to 33 inches or more within this year.

Air Premia currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft, configured with 309 seats (three aircraft), 320 seats (two aircraft), 326 seats (two aircraft), and 344 seats (two aircraft). All aircraft except the 344-seat configuration currently operate with an economy class seat pitch of 33 inches or greater.

Along with the seat pitch expansion, Air Premia has also replaced the cabin carpet. The newly installed carpet is produced using digital printing technology, allowing the airline's brand identity to be naturally incorporated into the cabin interior design.

In addition, the new carpet is lighter than the previous version, contributing to aircraft weight reduction and supporting environmental benefits such as improved fuel efficiency.

"Air Premia is committed to continuously improving seat space and the cabin environment so that passengers traveling on long-haul routes can enjoy a more comfortable journey," an Air Premia official said. "We will continue to introduce various service enhancements to further elevate the customer experience."

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count

Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count

Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count

Air Premia Expands Economy Seat Pitch by Reducing Seat Count

  • Through the partnership, Ant International secures comprehensive marketing rights of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and world-class players of the Argentine National Football Team to launch strategic activations across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina and SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ant International, a leading global payment, digitisation, and fintech solutions provider for merchants and financial institutions, today announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), becoming an Official Sponsor of the Argentine National Football Team for the Asia region (excluding the Middle East).

With over 30 offices around the world, Ant International provides AI-empowered cross-border digital payment, treasury and digitalisation solutions for global merchants and financial institutions. Building on broad regional collaborations, its digital payment and account services connects 150 million+ merchants to 1.8 billion consumer accounts in the Asia Pacific by integrating 300+ of mainstream and alternative payment methods.

This agreement unites the reigning FIFA World Cup Champions with one of the world's most innovative financial technology providers. Through this partnership, Ant International secures comprehensive marketing rights to launch strategic activations across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst, by leveraging the intellectual property of the AFA and the world-class players of the Argentine National Football Team.

"We are incredibly proud to support the Argentine national team, a beacon of excellence, teamwork, and global inspiration," said Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International. "Sports and tech are two critical bonds for communities and markets that break barriers and connect people. Together we will bring more extensive and enriched football experience and community impact through our Asia fintech and digital services network."

With three FIFA World Cup triumphs in 1978, 1986, and 2022, and having reached the global final on six historic occasions, the Argentine National Team occupies a hallowed place in the pantheon of sporting legends. As the standard-bearers of the "Albiceleste" spirit, the team is defined by a century-old lineage of virtuosity and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of glory.

"Football is the ultimate universal language. It serves as a powerful bridge that transcends borders and connects the entire world," said Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of AFA. "Through this partnership, we are excited to bring that connection to an even wider audience in Asia."

"This partnership is a commitment to long-term success and a strategic union of two global leaders," said Leandro Petersen, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of AFA. "By joining forces, we aim to deepen our presence in Asia and achieve new heights in both sports and fin-tech."

About Ant International

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/

Media Contacts

Ant International
pr@ant-intl.com

The Argentine Football Association
marketing@afa.org.ar

  • Through the partnership, Ant International secures comprehensive marketing rights of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and world-class players of the Argentine National Football Team to launch strategic activations across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina and SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ant International, a leading global payment, digitisation, and fintech solutions provider for merchants and financial institutions, today announced a partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), becoming an Official Sponsor of the Argentine National Football Team for the Asia region (excluding the Middle East).

With over 30 offices around the world, Ant International provides AI-empowered cross-border digital payment, treasury and digitalisation solutions for global merchants and financial institutions. Building on broad regional collaborations, its digital payment and account services connects 150 million+ merchants to 1.8 billion consumer accounts in the Asia Pacific by integrating 300+ of mainstream and alternative payment methods.

This agreement unites the reigning FIFA World Cup Champions with one of the world's most innovative financial technology providers. Through this partnership, Ant International secures comprehensive marketing rights to launch strategic activations across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst, by leveraging the intellectual property of the AFA and the world-class players of the Argentine National Football Team.

"We are incredibly proud to support the Argentine national team, a beacon of excellence, teamwork, and global inspiration," said Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International. "Sports and tech are two critical bonds for communities and markets that break barriers and connect people. Together we will bring more extensive and enriched football experience and community impact through our Asia fintech and digital services network."

With three FIFA World Cup triumphs in 1978, 1986, and 2022, and having reached the global final on six historic occasions, the Argentine National Team occupies a hallowed place in the pantheon of sporting legends. As the standard-bearers of the "Albiceleste" spirit, the team is defined by a century-old lineage of virtuosity and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of glory.

"Football is the ultimate universal language. It serves as a powerful bridge that transcends borders and connects the entire world," said Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of AFA. "Through this partnership, we are excited to bring that connection to an even wider audience in Asia."

"This partnership is a commitment to long-term success and a strategic union of two global leaders," said Leandro Petersen, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer of AFA. "By joining forces, we aim to deepen our presence in Asia and achieve new heights in both sports and fin-tech."

About Ant International

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/

Media Contacts

Ant International
pr@ant-intl.com

The Argentine Football Association
marketing@afa.org.ar

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Ant International Becomes Official Sponsor of The Argentine National Football Team

Ant International Becomes Official Sponsor of The Argentine National Football Team

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