The high temperature oxidation behavior of the TiAl(La)N coating, which was deposited on a steel substrate by the arc-ion plating method, was investigated at 700, 800 and 900 C in atmospheric air. The oxidation kinetics of the coating were mainly governed by the inward diffusion of oxygen and outward transport of nitrogen. The oxide scale was porous, nonadherent, and prone to cracking, indicating the oxidation resistance above 700 C is poor.