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Jetstar has moved to daily flights between Sydney and Seoul as demand continues to grow.
The low-cost carrier has increased its JQ47/48 Seoul services from four to seven times per week out of Sydney as of Tuesday, bringing its total seats between Australia and South Korea to 340,000 per year when coupled with the existing three-times-per-week Brisbane–Seoul flights.
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This makes Jetstar the largest carrier between Australia and South Korea, said the airline’s executive manager, customer, Jenn Armor.
“We’ve seen strong demand for our direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane to the South Korean capital, Seoul,” Armor said.
“Over 240,000 passengers have flown on our Sydney to Seoul route since it launched in October 2022 and our newer Brisbane to Seoul service, which took off in February 2024, has already seen over 100,000 passengers.
“With the launch of daily flights from Sydney to Seoul this week, we’ll offer another 100,000 seats a year on the route, helping our customers to take off more with low fares.”
Aside from Jetstar, the Sydney–Seoul route is currently served by Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and T’way, while Brisbane–Seoul is also served by Korean Air.
The expansion comes amid a surge in Asian travel from Australia, with data in April showing record-breaking demand.
Capacity between Australia and Asia has hit its highest-ever levels this year, according to Flight Centre’s SME arm Corporate Traveller, with India at 346 per cent of pre-COVID-19 figures, Vietnam at 263 per cent, and South Korea at 153 per cent.
Singapore, the Philippines, China, and Hong Kong, meanwhile, were all in the top 10 destinations for Australian business travellers last year.
According to Tom Walley, global managing director at Corporate Traveller, the data “highlights how airlines are racing to keep pace with the popularity in Australia–Asia business”.
“Direct routes are increasing, codeshare agreements are multiplying, and we’re seeing renewed demand for premium cabins, as carriers boost seat capacity to keep pace with intensifying trade ties and the renewed emphasis on face-to-face engagement across the region,” Walley said.
“Australian companies are capitalising on direct flights, improved frequency and better route networks across Asia.
“Bilateral trade figures with India, Vietnam and other ASEAN economies are going up, and we see a clear link between stronger commercial ties and airlines prioritising the Australia–Asia corridor.”
