Airline review: On board the world’s busiest flight route

The flight

Asiana Airlines flight OZ8929; Airbus A320-200, Economy class; Seoul (Gimpo International Airport) to Jeju (Jeju International Airport); departs 9.55am, 35 mins behind schedule; flight time is 1 hour, 10 minutes.

Asiana operates dozens of flights a day on the Seoul-Jeju route, the world’s busiest.Credit: iStock

Frequency

Asiana Airlines, South Korea’s second-largest airline, operates dozens of domestic flights every day between the capital Seoul and popular holiday destination Jeju island.

The loyalty scheme

Asiana Club is the loyalty program. Accumulated points can be used to purchase tickets and upgrades. In addition to Asiana Airlines flights, members accrue points on flights taken with Star Alliance airlines, including Singapore Airlines, United and Air New Zealand. In a major merger, Korean Air has plans to acquire Asiana Airlines. It’s not yet clear the impact this would have on the existing loyalty program.

Checking in

Gimpo International Airport, Seoul’s second-largest airport, is approximately 16 kilometres from the city centre. Our group checks in and receives boarding passes at a kiosk, then we line up to drop off checked bags. Some bags are chosen at random for inspection. At the security screening area, I’m pleased to learn that shoes can stay on and liquids are allowed in carry-on bags.

The seat

There are 159 economy seats in a 3-3 configuration.

There are 159 economy seats in a 3-3 configuration. I’m in 27C, an aisle seat. Width is 17.8 inches (45.2 centimetres) and the pitch is 32 inches (81.3 centimetres). The seats are covered in greige-coloured fabric with flecks of red, blue and yellow. No USB or power outlet.

Baggage

Economy passengers may check in one suitcase up to 20 kilograms, and may bring one carry-on bag up to 10 kilograms. I’m travelling with a group and we are able to pool our baggage weight allowance so nobody pays excess.

Entertainment

BYO entertainment.

There’s no seatback entertainment, no magazine and no Wi-Fi. I watch a downloaded show on my iPad.

Service

No complaints from me, but no gushing praise. On this short flight, attendants are busy serving drinks in between preparing the cabin for take-off and landing. Dressed in collarless grey blazers, greige turtlenecks with stripe design and a choice of pencil skirt or trousers, the mostly female crew presents a competent, can-do image.

Food

BYO snacks. The drinks-only service delivers a choice of juice, water, coffee or soft drink, poured into small paper cups.

Carbon emissions

0.16 tonnes for one Economy passenger. The airline has entered an agreement with Shell to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2026.

One more thing

The busiest flight path in the world is the domestic route between South Korea’s capital Seoul and Jeju island. In 2023, there were 13.7 million seats on the route.

Price

89,000 Korean won ($110), economy one way.*

The verdict

This short-hop flight from A to B gets the job done. In-flight snacks and entertainment would improve the experience.

Our rating out of five

★★★½

See flyasiana.com

The writer travelled as a guest of Korea Tourism Organization.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.