Air Koryo: North Korea’s National Airline

A Brief History

Air Koryo traces its origins back to 1955, when it was established as Chosonminhang, the national airline of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and a period of economic difficulty, the airline was rebranded as Air Koryo in the 1990s.

Today, Air Koryo remains North Korea’s only commercial airline and operates from its hub at Pyongyang International Airport.

While its international route network is limited compared to most airlines, it continues to provide vital connections between North Korea and a small number of destinations, primarily in China and Russia.

The Fleet

One of the reasons Air Koryo attracts so much attention is its fleet.

For many years, the airline operated a collection of Soviet-era aircraft, including the Tupolev Tu-134, Tu-154 and the iconic Ilyushin Il-62. These aircraft became increasingly rare elsewhere in the world, making Air Koryo one of the last places where aviation enthusiasts could experience them in commercial service.

In more recent years, the airline has modernised parts of its fleet with the addition of the Antonov An-148 and Tupolev Tu-204, which now operate many of its scheduled international services.

Despite perceptions to the contrary, Air Koryo’s aircraft are maintained in accordance with international aviation requirements when operating internationally.

What Is It Like Onboard?

For many visitors to North Korea, the flight itself forms part of the overall travel experience.

The onboard environment feels noticeably different from most international airlines. Cabin announcements, inflight magazines and entertainment content often reflect North Korean culture, history and achievements.

On some flights, passengers may be served traditional North Korean snacks or meals, depending on the route and flight duration.

The airline’s inflight magazine, Koryo, is particularly popular among visitors as a unique souvenir.

The experience is often described as stepping into a different era of aviation, particularly on aircraft featuring older cabin interiors and traditional service styles.

Air Koryo’s Reputation

Air Koryo is often referred to online as “the world’s only one-star airline”, a title that originated from aviation rating organisation Skytrax many years ago.

However, this reputation can be misleading.

Many travellers who have flown with Air Koryo report that the experience is perfectly functional and often more memorable than flying with larger international carriers. The airline’s reputation is frequently shaped as much by perceptions of North Korea itself as by the actual onboard experience.

For aviation enthusiasts, Air Koryo offers something increasingly rare in modern aviation: a genuinely unique flying experience that feels different from the standardised services offered by most global airlines.

Can Tourists Fly Air Koryo?

When travelling to North Korea, most visitors arrive either by train from China or by Air Koryo flights from Beijing.

For many travellers, choosing Air Koryo is part of the attraction. Flying with the airline provides an immediate introduction to North Korea and offers a glimpse into a side of aviation that few people ever experience.

As access to North Korea remains limited and subject to changing regulations, Air Koryo’s international operations can change depending on political and operational circumstances.

A Unique Part of the Journey

Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, a curious traveller or someone interested in experiencing one of the world’s most unusual destinations, Air Koryo remains a fascinating part of the North Korean travel experience.

It may not offer the route network, lounges or loyalty programmes of major international carriers, but what it does provide is something increasingly difficult to find in modern aviation: a flight experience that is genuinely different.

For many travellers, the journey begins long before landing in Pyongyang. It begins the moment they step onboard an Air Koryo aircraft.