High demand for flights on LAX-Korea route ahead of Chuseok—travelers advised to book early

Although Korea’s Chuseok holiday is still eight months away, demand for flights on the Los Angeles route is already surging, prompting Korean travelers planning trips to Korea or Los Angeles to book their tickets as soon as possible.

Industry experts warn that airfare prices may rise, and securing seats could become increasingly difficult due to the overlap of the Chuseok holiday and autumn foliage travel season.

“September and October are typically off-peak months with ample seat availability, but this year will be different due to the Chuseok holiday,” said an airline industry official. “Flights are expected to be heavily booked by travelers returning to Korea after their vacations in the U.S.”

This year’s Chuseok holiday spans from October 3 (National Foundation Day) to October 9 (Hangeul Day), making it a seven-day holiday. However, by taking a day off on Friday, October 10, travelers can extend their break to 10 days, from October 3 to October 12—a significantly longer period compared to last year’s five-day holiday.

Typically, the peak season for the Incheon-Los Angeles route falls between September 25 and October 7, while the Los Angeles-Incheon route experiences peak travel from October 5 to October 15.

According to current reservation trends, many Korean travelers are choosing to depart for Los Angeles in early October and return to Korea in mid-October. Notably, reservations for flights during the Chuseok holiday are filling up faster than expected.

“The longer holiday period this year has led to strong demand for Incheon-LAX flights compared to last year,” said a representative from Korean Air’s Americas Regional Headquarters.

Similarly, Air Premia’s American office reported that flight reservations between October 4 and October 11 are progressing rapidly, with seat occupancy already at 60 percent.

As Korean tourists in the U.S. return home in mid-October, the Los Angeles-Incheon route is expected to become highly congested, potentially driving up ticket prices.

“As more Korean tourists occupy seats on outbound flights from LA during this extended Chuseok holiday, airfare prices are likely to increase,” an Asiana Airlines representative stated.

Korean Air’s mileage upgrade seats are already nearly fully booked, and standard economy seats are selling out quickly. Industry experts advise securing tickets by March or April at the latest to avoid price hikes and limited availability.

As of now, economy-class fares for the LAX-Incheon route on Korean Air are priced in the high $1,200 range (excluding taxes and fees), with Asiana Airlines offering similar prices. Air Premia offers relatively lower fares, but frequent flight delays and schedule changes have led to increased customer dissatisfaction.

To find affordable fares in the fall, industry insiders recommend avoiding peak travel periods for Korean tourists.

“Many savvy travelers who anticipated this extended Chuseok holiday booked their tickets almost a year in advance,” said Sarah Ahn, senior manager at Four Seasons Tours and Travel. “To save on airfare, it’s best to either depart in late September to early October or wait until mid-October after the peak return period.”

BY EUNYOUNG LEE  [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]