Korean Air and Asiana Airlines plans to hire 1,350 new flight attendants next year. The figure is a record high, up by 150 from this year.

With low-cost carriers such as Jeju Air and foreign airlines also planning to employ new flight attendants, as many as 2,000 new attendants are expected to be hired next year.

Korean Air said that it plans to employ about 800 new flight attendants, including 550 to 600 Koreans and 200 foreigners.

"We're planning to operate cutting-edge jets such as the B787 and A380 from 2009 and expand flights to China. That means more flight attendants are needed," Korean Air said.

Asiana Airlines will hire 550 new flight attendants, which is 150 more than this year. It will hire 400 to 500 Koreans and 40 to 50 foreigners.

Asiana said, "We need to employ more flight attendants as we're planning to operate five additional jets, open new routes and expand existing flights."

Jeju Air is also planning to employ new flight attendants as it will launch new jets next year, including the B737-800.