With a quick internet search, you can find flights from Los Angeles to South Korea for as low as $500. Choosing budget airlines may save you more than $1,000 compared to flying with national carriers.
A search on Google Flights for a trip to Japan and South Korea from October 4 to 20 showed that the lowest price for a round-trip ticket between Los Angeles and Narita, Japan, on Zipair, a Japanese budget airline, was $395 as of September 19.
For a round-trip flight from Narita to Incheon, South Korea, from October 9 to 16, ticket prices were: Jeju Air for $141, Air Premia for $203, Zipair for $238, Asiana Airlines for $256, and Korean Air for $308.
Using the cheapest airline, Jeju Air, a trip from Los Angeles to Japan and to Korea and back was only $536 total.
When searching for a longer trip to South Korea, from October 9-19, Air Premia was the cheapest at $206, followed by Zipair at $212, Jin Air at $214, Air Busan at $215, Jeju Air/T’way Air at $216, Asiana Airlines at $227, and Korean Air at $284. With Air Premia, the total cost of airfare between Los Angeles, Japan, and Korea is $601.
When searching Google Flights for round-trip tickets from Los Angeles on three national airlines for the same itinerary, Air Premia was $954, Asiana Airlines at $1,344, and Korean Air at $1,847. Traveling to Japan during the visit to Korea adds another $200 for round-trip airfare from Incheon to Narita.
As of the search on September 19, flying from Los Angeles to Japan and Korea on Zipair and Korean budget airlines could cost 54% to 74% cheaper than flying the same routes on three Korean national airlines. Depending on an itinerary, you can even cover other travel expenses just by choosing different airlines.
While it is an advantage that Zipair, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, has an extremely competitive price, there are also disadvantages. Meals must be pre-ordered online or through a customer service center 48 hours before departure. The Los Angeles-Narita route has five different menus, each costing ¥1,700 (roughly $11.80). Drinks and snacks can be purchased on board for ¥250 to 350 (roughly $1.74 to $2.40).
Up to two carry-on bags are free if they weigh less than 15 lbs in total, and you can purchase up to 33 lbs of additional bags for $38.
Checked bags are $54 per piece up to 66 lbs, with a limit of five per person. You must pre-purchase your luggage 24 hours before departure, and fees may be added when you buy at the counter.
An amenity set, including a blanket, earplugs, eye patch, neck pillow, and slippers, costs ¥2,500 ($17.36) and must be purchased 48 hours before departure.
Customers on social media are showing mixed reviews of the Zipair experience. Complaints include the difficulty of finding and scheduling cheap seats, the inconvenience of having to pay for meals and luggage and make reservations in advance, and the lack of in-flight screens.
On the other hand, many said they would fly again because of the value for money, including cleanliness, free in-flight Wi-Fi, and entertainment content available on smartphones.
One travel industry insider said, “It’s a matter of personal preference, as it depends on what you value. It’s best to choose a flight that suits your needs.”
BY NAKI PARK, HOONSIK WOO [park.naki@koreadaily.com]
