Korean Air is launching non-stop service between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Incheon International Airport in Seoul, beginning in May 2014.

The inaugural flight will take place on May 2nd, with service aboard a B777-200 aircraft.

Non-stop flights connecting the two destinations will depart from the Terminal D facility at Bush Intercontinental Airport every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

“We’re very bullish on the Americas,” said John Jackson, the airline’s vice president of marketing for North and South America.

“Houston is the fifth largest metro area in the US with a very strong travel market to Asia.

“We’ve decided to earn our fair share of the market with a highly competitive product and service that’s hard to beat.”

Houston Mayor Annise Parker agrees with Jackson’s assessment and says that the route represents an exceptional business opportunity for the Korean Air team.

“Houston’s dynamic economy and diverse population continue to strengthen its position on the world stage,” said Houston mayor Annise Parker.

“This new non-stop flight to Seoul is an excellent example of Houston’s enhanced status as a gateway city and key player in the global marketplace.”

“We see continued opportunities in the Americas through our own efforts and through our membership in the SkyTeam alliance.

“And we’ll add more capacity in a variety of other U.S. markets during the upcoming spring and summer seasons,” Jackson said.

Houston represents Korean Air s 14th gateway in the Americas.

Others include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, DC.