Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from North America to South Korea
Never overpay for flights again. Use our curated Superdeals and fly to Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Incheon from all major airports in US and Canada at a fraction of the normal fare.
Free Superdeals
Why are flights to South Korea so expensive now?
The high cost of flights between North America and South Korea stems from increased demand, limited competition, and rising operational costs.
Airfares have indeed increased significantly, with economy round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Seoul now averaging $1,200-1,500, up from $800-900 in early 2023. The surge in K-pop tourism and growing business travel have led to unprecedented demand for seats, especially after Korean Air’s merger with Asiana Airlines reduced competition on transpacific routes. The merger, finalized in early 2024, left Korean Air as the dominant carrier, controlling about 73% of direct flights between North America and South Korea.
Only three carriers now operate regular direct flights between the two regions: Korean Air, Air Canada, and United Airlines. Delta Air Lines ended its Seoul service from Seattle in January 2024, further limiting options and pushing prices up.
North America to South Korea: average fares
Here are the most popular flight routes between major North American cities and South Korea, with average round-trip economy class prices:
| Route | High Season ($) | Low Season ($) | Average ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN) | 1,250 | 750 | 950 |
| San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) | 1,300 | 800 | 1,000 |
| Vancouver (YVR) – Seoul (ICN) | 1,400 | 850 | 1,100 |
| New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN) | 1,500 | 900 | 1,200 |
| Toronto (YYZ) – Seoul (ICN) | 1,600 | 950 | 1,250 |
Average price round-trip
$1150
Average Superdeal price round-trip
$460
Cheapest Superdeal price round-trip
$288
Meet Superdeals. Save 40–80% on every flight.
You can save between 40-80% on your flights to Asia Pacific with Air Traveler Club’s Superdeals. These are heavily discounted airfares that appear randomly throughout the year on various routes.
For example, a typical round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Seoul costs around $850-1000, but with a Superdeal, you can often fly this route for $390-450. The amount you save depends on the route, season, and current market prices, but these deals consistently offer significant discounts compared to regular fares.
Sample Superdeals to South Korea
- Los Angeles to Seoul: $950 → $399 – Korean Air, nonstop flight
- Toronto to Seoul: $1,250 → $599 – Air Canada, one stop in Vancouver
- San Francisco to Seoul: $1,000 → $449 – Asiana Airlines, nonstop flight
Non-stop vs layover flights to South Korea
Time vs money: understanding your options
Direct flight routes to South Korea
Multiple direct routes connect major North American cities with Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN).
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Seoul (ICN) – Korean Air & Asiana Airlines – 13h 30m
- San Francisco (SFO) to Seoul (ICN) – United Airlines & Korean Air – 13h 15m
- New York (JFK) to Seoul (ICN) – Korean Air & Asiana Airlines – 14h 30m
- Vancouver (YVR) to Seoul (ICN) – Air Canada & Korean Air – 12h 15m
- Seattle (SEA) to Seoul (ICN) – Korean Air – 12h 45m
Layover/stopover options
Tokyo Narita (NRT) – JAL and ANA hub. Efficient connections averaging 2 hours. Excellent transit facilities and free city tours for longer layovers.
Taipei (TPE) – EVA Air and China Airlines hub. Known for competitive prices and modern facilities. Average connection time 2.5 hours.
Hong Kong (HKG) – Cathay Pacific hub. Premium lounges and shopping. Minimum 1.5-hour connections. Free city tours for 6+ hour layovers.
Time vs money
Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Flights with layovers often cost 20-30% less but require 17-24 hours total journey time.
| Route type | Average duration | Roundtrip Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct (LAX-ICN) | 13h 30m | $900-1,400 |
| 1 Stop (LAX-TPE-ICN) | 17h 30m | $750-1,100 |
| 2 Stops (LAX-NRT-HKG-ICN) | 24h+ | $650-900 |
Tips and recommendations
- Book direct flights 4-6 months ahead for best prices, especially during peak seasons (March-May, September-November).
- Consider overnight layovers in Tokyo or Hong Kong – many airlines offer free hotel accommodations.
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically offer lower fares for both direct and layover flights.
- Korean Air’s SKYPASS members can often access better award availability on direct routes compared to partner airlines.
- Winter flights (except Christmas) usually offer the best value, with direct routes sometimes matching layover prices.
Smart route hacks for North America → South Korea flights
Save extra with lesser-known paths and connections
- Korean Air’s Seattle hub offers consistently lower fares compared to LAX or JFK departures, often 15-20% cheaper for flights to Seoul. The airline operates Boeing 777-300ER with superior 34-inch pitch in economy on this route, making it one of the most comfortable trans-Pacific options. Seattle’s terminal also features significantly shorter immigration lines compared to major hubs.
- For Eastern Canada travelers, Air Canada’s Vancouver connection provides better value than direct Toronto-Seoul flights, with typical savings of CAD 300-400 roundtrip. The route features the 787-9 Dreamliner with enhanced humidity control and lower cabin altitude, significantly reducing jet lag effects.
- Asiana Airlines operates from San Francisco with their A350-900s, offering superior air quality and the widest economy seats (18 inches) on transpacific routes. Their late evening departure allows for easy connections from other US cities and arrives in Seoul at an ideal time to minimize jet lag.
- Using United’s Houston-Seoul route can save up to 25% compared to West Coast departures, especially during off-peak seasons (October-November). The route operates daily with 777-200ER aircraft featuring the airline’s latest economy product, and Houston offers efficient connections from southeastern US cities.
- Travelers from secondary US cities should consider Delta’s Detroit-Seoul service, which often prices 15-20% lower than their Atlanta hub flights. The A350-900 aircraft on this route features Delta’s latest comfort+ seats with 34-inch pitch, and Detroit’s efficient immigration process makes connections smoother.
Common mistakes
How to avoid costly pitfalls that can ruin your travels
- Ignoring alternative routing options Instead of defaulting to popular routes through Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO), travelers can often find better deals and schedules through Seattle (SEA), Vancouver (YVR), or even through major Asian hubs like Tokyo (NRT/HND).
- Booking directly into ICN without considering GMP While Incheon International (ICN) is Seoul’s main airport, some travelers overlook Gimpo International Airport (GMP), which can be more convenient for reaching downtown Seoul and offers domestic connections within Korea.
- Missing peak travel season pricing Many travelers book flights during Korea’s peak seasons (cherry blossom season in spring and fall foliage in autumn) without realizing prices can be 40-50% higher than during off-peak months.
- Booking too close to departure Trans-Pacific flights to South Korea typically have the best pricing 4-6 months before departure, yet many travelers wait until 1-2 months before their trip, resulting in significantly higher fares.
- Choosing tight connections in Asian hubs When routing through Tokyo, Taipei, or Hong Kong, travelers often book connections under 2 hours, not accounting for potential delays and the extensive security procedures required for transit passengers.
Coming-up airline promotions to South Korea
Which carriers have sales and special offers for January, February, March, and beyond?
We track and curate genuine offers from 150+ airlines, hand-picking only the most valuable for your wallet.
See the upcoming offers for flights to Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Incheon :
Best airlines for flights to South Korea from North America
Balanced choice for service, comfort and value
Korean Air
Best for: Most extensive network of direct flights from North America to South Korea.
Operates from 13 North American cities to Seoul-Incheon, with biggest operations from Los Angeles, New York JFK, and San Francisco. Known for generous Economy Class seat pitch (33-34 inches) and width (18 inches). Serves authentic Korean meals alongside Western options, with special meals available upon request. Consistently high passenger ratings for service quality and reliability. Modern fleet of A380s and 787s offers excellent cabin air quality and reduced jet lag.
Asiana Airlines
Best for: Superior Economy Class comfort and meal service quality.
Flies from 6 North American cities to Seoul-Incheon, primarily from Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Seattle. Features comfortable Economy seats with 32-33 inch pitch. Highly rated for its exceptional Korean and Western cuisine, serving multi-course meals even in Economy. Passengers consistently praise their attentive cabin crew and cleanliness standards.
Air Canada
Best for: Convenient connections from smaller North American cities through Vancouver hub.
Operates from 3 Canadian cities to Seoul-Incheon, with Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal as main gateways. Their modern 787 Dreamliner fleet offers improved air quality and larger windows. Economy Class provides 31-32 inch pitch with upgraded entertainment systems. Strong reputation for punctuality and efficient connections through their Vancouver hub for US passengers.
United Airlines
Best for: Extensive US domestic network enabling convenient connections to Seoul.
Serves Seoul-Incheon from 7 US cities, mainly San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Recently upgraded Economy Class features 31-32 inch pitch and improved entertainment options. Partners with Asiana Airlines for expanded connectivity. Though meal service is basic compared to Asian carriers, they offer reliable schedules and competitive prices. Their Polaris lounges at hub airports enhance layover experience for eligible passengers.
Using regional airlines to your advantage
Another strategy for cheaper flights to South Korea
Using APAC regional carriers to save on South Korea flights
Leveraging regional Asian carriers can significantly reduce costs when traveling from North America to South Korea. The key is breaking up your journey strategically.
Main money-saving tactics
- Book a separate ticket to major Asian hubs like Tokyo, Taipei, or Hong Kong using mainstream carriers
- Connect to Seoul using budget regional airlines like Peach Aviation, Jin Air, or Jeju Air
- Consider flying into Busan instead of Seoul using carriers like Air Busan or T’way Air for potential savings
This split-ticket approach often yields savings of 25-40% compared to single-ticket bookings on major carriers. However, remember to allow ample connection time since you’ll need to collect and recheck luggage.
Important considerations
- Book separate tickets at least 24 hours apart to protect against delays
- Check baggage policies carefully as regional carriers often have stricter limits
- Compare total costs including fees, as budget airlines charge for extras
- Monitor sales from Japanese and Taiwanese carriers, which frequently offer competitive fares to Seoul
Half-price deals within Asia
Planning to explore the region?
Save 40-80% on flights between Asian cities.
