Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to South Korea

Direct flight routes to South Korea

Non-stop flights from Australasia to South Korea are limited but available from major cities.

• Sydney (SYD) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air – 10h 30m


• Brisbane (BNE) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air – 10h 15m


• Melbourne (MEL) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air – 11h


• Auckland (AKL) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Korean Air – 12h 15m

Layover/stopover options

Singapore (SIN) – Singapore Airlines hub offering efficient 2-3 hour connections. Modern terminal with excellent facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific’s base with typical 3-hour connections. Superior lounge facilities and easy airport-city access for extended stops.

Manila (MNL) – Philippine Airlines hub offering budget-friendly connections. Less efficient with average 4-hour layovers but often significantly cheaper.

Taipei (TPE) – China Airlines and EVA Air hub with reliable 2-hour connections. Free half-day city tours available for 7+ hour layovers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command a 20-30% premium over connecting options. One-stop routes through Southeast Asian hubs often provide the best balance between travel time and cost.

Tips and recommendations

• Korean Air often releases discounted direct flight tickets 3-4 months before departure


• Singapore and Hong Kong routes typically offer better aircraft equipment on both legs


• Manila connections are usually cheapest but risk longer delays during typhoon season


• Morning departures from Australasia typically allow for better connection times


• Overnight layovers in Singapore or Hong Kong can actually reduce total trip cost through lower fare buckets

• Korean Air’s Auckland-Seoul direct service offers the best value-comfort balance from New Zealand, with newly retrofitted Boeing 787-9 featuring 35″ pitch in economy. Despite higher base fares, their generous 23kg x 2 baggage allowance and meal service make total costs competitive with budget carriers.
• Flying via Singapore using Singapore Airlines opens up excellent fare deals, especially when booking 6+ months ahead. Their A350 service features 32″ pitch economy seats and superior entertainment systems, while Singapore’s Changi Airport offers free city tours during longer layovers.
• Qantas/Jetstar combo tickets from secondary Australian cities (Adelaide, Gold Coast) to Seoul via Tokyo often price 15-20% below direct routes. The downside is longer total journey time, but you get access to both Japanese and Korean loyalty programs.
• Budget-focused travelers should watch for Air Premia’s Brisbane-Seoul route launching in July 2024, promising fares up to 30% below legacy carriers. Their Boeing 787-9s offer a generous 35″ pitch in economy – matching Korean Air’s comfort level.
• For Perth-based travelers, Scoot’s Perth-Singapore-Seoul routing typically offers the lowest total fares year-round. While their 787 economy seats are tighter at 31″ pitch, their Tuesday/Wednesday departures can be up to 40% cheaper than premium carriers.

1. Booking only direct flights Many travelers miss out on significant savings by overlooking one-stop options via Hong Kong, Singapore, or Manila that can be up to 40% cheaper than direct flights to Seoul.
2. Ignoring Incheon’s distance from Seoul Travelers frequently underestimate the 1-hour transfer time from Incheon International Airport to Seoul city center, leading to rushed or missed connections with domestic flights or ground transportation.
3. Booking during peak festivals Flying during cherry blossom season (late March to early April) or Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) means paying premium prices and dealing with overcrowded airports and accommodations.
4. Missing out on loyalty programs Many Australian and New Zealand travelers don’t join Korean Air’s SKYPASS or Asiana Club programs before flying, missing opportunities for miles accrual and potential upgrades on future flights.
5. Choosing wrong departure times Selecting evening departures from Sydney or Auckland means arriving in Seoul very early morning when public transportation is limited and hotel check-in isn’t available for several hours.

Korean Air

Best for: Most extensive network of direct flights from Australasia to South Korea.

Operating from 5 Australasian airports (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, and Gold Coast) to Seoul Incheon. Their Economy Class offers generous 34-inch seat pitch and well-praised Korean-Western fusion meals. Passengers consistently rate their service highly for punctuality and baggage handling. The airline maintains an impressive 4.3/5 passenger satisfaction rating for trans-Pacific routes.

Asiana Airlines

Best for: Superior Economy Class comfort and service quality.

Serves 3 major routes (Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland) to Seoul Incheon. Their Economy Class features comfortable seats with 33-inch pitch and high-quality entertainment systems. Their traditional Korean meal options receive particular praise, and the airline’s attentive cabin service stands out. Passengers give them a solid 4.2/5 rating for long-haul flights.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Most efficient one-stop connections via Singapore with shortest layover times.

Connects 7 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland, and Christchurch) to Seoul through Singapore. Despite the stop, their service excellence and timing efficiency make them a top choice. The airline offers 32-inch seat pitch in Economy, award-winning entertainment system, and consistently high-rated meals. Overall passenger rating for this route is 4.4/5.

Qantas

Best for: Most generous baggage allowance and reliable codeshare connections with Asian partners.

Operates from 4 major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth) to Seoul via partnerships with Asian carriers. Economy passengers get a generous 30kg baggage allowance, and the airline’s modern fleet features comfortable 32-inch seat pitch. Their Australian-inspired meals and wine selection receive positive reviews. Passengers rate their services 4.1/5 for Asian routes.

Smart routing through Asia can slash costs

Travelers from Australia and New Zealand to South Korea often overpay by booking direct flights. A savvy alternative involves using regional Asian carriers and splitting the journey into segments, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.

1. Consider low-cost hubs – Flying first to Singapore, Manila, or Hong Kong using budget carriers like Jetstar or Scoot, then connecting to Seoul via airlines like Air Asia or Cebu Pacific
2. Utilize fifth freedom routes – Taking advantage of routes where airlines operate between two foreign countries, such as Thai Airways’ Sydney-Seoul service
3. Mix and match carriers – Booking separate tickets on different airlines can offer significant savings over single-ticket options

Key regional players like Air Asia X, Jin Air, and Scoot frequently offer promotional fares that make this strategy particularly effective. The trade-off is usually longer total journey time and the need to collect and recheck baggage at connection points.

For optimal savings, book these routes 3-4 months in advance and be flexible with layover durations. Consider overnight stays in connection cities, which can add value to your journey while maintaining cost effectiveness.