North Korea’s Air Koryo: The World’s Only 1-Star Airline?

We are familiar with the world’s three-star airlines up to the list of five-star airlines. However, you might be wondering if there are any airlines lower than three stars. Apparently, there is a 1-star airline. Nope, I am not kidding you! This airline is Air Koryo, the state-owned airline of North Korea. It is widely recognized as the world’s only 1-star airline.

Despite its unique position in the global aviation industry, Air Koryo continues to operate, providing limited international and domestic services under challenging circumstances. In fact, many aviation geeks and enthusiasts are eager to fly on an Air Koryo flight, if they can get on one easily. To do so, you would need to book a flight to North Korea and explore the country. Good luck with that, though! It’s not easy.

However, we can all wonder how bad Air Koryo is. Why did North Korea’s only major airline receive a 1-star rating from Skytrax?

It’s not for me to judge why because I have never flown on Air Koryo yet. I can’t help but take a look at a few details, like their fleet and inflight entertainment. As far as I know, there are a lot of propaganda elements inside Air Koryo flights.

The Current Fleet of Air Koryo

Air Koryo’s fleet is small but distinctive, comprising a mix of older Soviet-era aircraft and some relatively modern planes. The current fleet includes the following aircraft:

1. Antonov An-148-100B (2 in service): Air Koryo operates two An-148-100B aircraft. These planes, acquired in 2013, can carry 70 passengers in a configuration of eight business class seats and 62 economy class seats. The An-148 is one of the more modern aircraft in Air Koryo’s fleet, providing services on both domestic and international routes.
2. Ilyushin Il-62M (2 in service): The airline has two Il-62M aircraft, primarily used for government operations. One of these planes serves as a VIP transport for the North Korean government, and the other is reportedly used as personal transport for Kim Jong Un, painted in an all-white livery. The Il-62M, a long-range jetliner from the Soviet era, reflects the unique operational needs of the airline.
3. Tupolev Tu-204-100B (1 in service): Air Koryo operates one Tu-204-100B, which was previously part of the fleet of Red Wings Airlines before being acquired by Air Koryo through a shell company. This aircraft has a seating configuration of 12 business class seats and 210 economy class seats, making it the largest in the fleet in terms of passenger capacity.
4. Tupolev Tu-204-300 (1 in service): The Tu-204-300 in Air Koryo’s fleet is a shorter variant of the Tu-204-100, configured with eight business class seats and 136 economy class seats, totaling 142 seats. This aircraft was originally a Tu-204-100 before being converted to its current configuration. It is used for both international and domestic routes.

Why Air Koryo is Dubbed a 1-Star Airline

Air Koryo’s designation as the world’s only 1-star airline is the result of several factors, many of which stem from the airline’s operational environment and the constraints it faces. These factors include:

1. Aging Fleet and Limited Modernization: Despite having some relatively modern aircraft like the An-148, much of Air Koryo’s fleet consists of older Soviet-era planes. These aircraft lack many of the amenities that modern passengers expect, such as in-flight entertainment systems and updated cabin interiors. The limited modernization of the fleet is a key reason for the airline’s low rating.
2. Restricted International Operations: Air Koryo’s international operations are severely limited due to sanctions and North Korea’s political isolation. The airline primarily operates flights to a few destinations in China and Russia. This limited network restricts its ability to compete on the global stage, impacting its overall rating.
3. Basic In-Flight Service: Passengers on Air Koryo have reported that in-flight services are minimal, with limited food and beverage options and inconsistent service quality. The lack of modern in-flight amenities further contributes to the airline’s poor reputation.
4. Operational and Safety Concerns: Although Air Koryo has not been involved in any major accidents in recent years, the airline’s aging fleet and the general lack of transparency regarding maintenance and safety practices have raised concerns. These issues, combined with international restrictions, have contributed to the airline’s 1-star status.

I’m sure there are more contributing factors to why Air Koryo is rated as a 1-star airline by Skytrax. While most travelers would go out of their way to avoid flying with a 1-star airline, I personally would be thrilled to experience it. However, since I have no plans of going to North Korea, taking an Air Koryo flight might just remain a pipe dream for me.