Jeju Air and Air Busan are both South Korean low-cost carriers selling short-haul flights from Korea to Japan and elsewhere in Asia, plus domestic services such as Jeju and Busan. Jeju Air is the larger, with a fleet of 45 aircraft and bases at Jeju, Seoul Gimpo, Seoul Incheon and Busan. Air Busan is a smaller, Busan-centred airline that is planned to merge into Jin Air.
Quick verdict
Both are no-frills low-cost carriers, so the choice mostly comes down to departure airport, fare and baggage. Jeju Air suits travellers who want a wider network from Seoul and Jeju and a fare ladder that includes a no-bag option. Air Busan suits those starting at Gimhae in Busan, where it has its main hub. Air Busan bookings and policies may change after the planned 2027 merger, so check conditions on tickets for travel after March 2027.
Choose Jeju Air if…
- You fly from Seoul Incheon, Gimpo or Jeju and want the wider network (about 41 destinations listed).
- You want to pick a fare by baggage: FLY with no free bag, FLYBAG with 15 kg, or BIZ LITE with 30 kg.
- You want a mostly Boeing 737 fleet from the largest Korean low-cost airline.
Choose Air Busan if…
- You start in Busan: Gimhae is its main hub, and it flies from there to Gimpo and Jeju.
- You prefer an all-Airbus A320-family fleet, which includes A321neo and A321LR aircraft.
- You want a smaller airline with about 35 destinations, mainly in Japan and elsewhere in Asia, and can accept that it is planned to fold into Jin Air.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Jeju Air operates from Jeju, Seoul Gimpo, Seoul Incheon and Busan, with its largest base at Jeju. Jeju–Gimpo, its first route, is still a core domestic service. Air Busan is centred on Gimhae International Airport in Busan and lists about 35 destinations, including domestic links to Gimpo and Jeju and routes across Japan and Asia. Flights from Busan to Fukuoka began in 2010. Jeju Air gives more choice from Seoul; Air Busan gives more focus on Busan.
Fleet
Jeju Air's fleet of 45 aircraft is built around the Boeing 737 family. Air Busan operates only Airbus A320-family aircraft. As of August 2025 it listed 20: five A320-200, seven A321-200, six A321neo and two A321LR. Flightradar24 lists 21, so the count depends on the source and date. Air Busan's A321 economy seats have a pitch of about 31-32 inches, according to Simple Flying. Air Busan flies short and medium routes only.
Baggage and fares
Jeju Air's international baggage rules: FLY has no free checked bag, FLYBAG includes 15 kg and BIZ LITE includes 30 kg, with items up to 32 kg. Excess is charged. Air Busan allows one cabin bag of up to 10 kg (55 x 40 x 20 cm), according to Kupi. Its checked allowance varies by fare and route, so confirm it on airbusan.com before booking. Compare the total price including a bag, not just the headline fare.
Merger and loyalty
Air Busan, Jin Air and Air Seoul signed a merger agreement on 24 August 2026 to operate under the Jin Air brand, with launch expected on 17 March 2027. Shareholder votes are planned for December 2026, and regulatory approval is also needed. Until then tickets are sold as Air Busan. Jin Air and Air Busan began a domestic codeshare on 6 January 2026. Jeju Air uses the Refresh Point programme and belongs to the Value Alliance of low-cost carriers.
Safety record
Both airlines had serious incidents in 2024-25. On 29 December 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Bangkok, crashed at Muan; 179 of 181 on board died, and the cause is under investigation. On 28 January 2025 an Air Busan A321 caught fire at Gimhae before departure, and all 176 people on board were evacuated. Check the latest investigation findings if this affects your decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jeju Air better than Air Busan?
Neither is clearly better; both are low-cost carriers. Jeju Air has the larger network and fleet, with bases at Seoul and Jeju, while Air Busan is stronger from Busan. Choose by departure airport and total fare.
Does Jeju Air include checked baggage?
On international flights it depends on the fare. FLY has no free checked bag, FLYBAG includes 15 kg and BIZ LITE includes 30 kg. Air Busan's allowance varies by fare and route, so check at booking.
What is happening to Air Busan?
Air Busan, Jin Air and Air Seoul signed an agreement on 24 August 2026 to merge under the Jin Air brand. Launch is expected on 17 March 2027, subject to shareholder votes and regulatory approval.
About Jeju Air Read more
Overview
Jeju Air (7C) is, according to Wikipedia, the first and largest South Korean low-cost airline. It was established on 25 January 2005 as a joint venture between Aekyung Group and the government of Jeju Province, and its first commercial flight, on the Jeju–Gimpo route, took place on 5 June 2006. Aekyung Group is its largest shareholder, and it was the first Korean low-cost carrier listed on the Korea Exchange. It is headquartered in Jeju City and was a founding member of the Value Alliance, an alliance of low-cost carriers.
Network and hubs
Operating bases are Jeju, Seoul–Gimpo, Seoul–Incheon and Busan, with the largest base at Jeju International Airport. Wikipedia lists 41 destinations. Jeju–Gimpo, the airline's first route, remains a core domestic service.
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a fleet of 45 aircraft (infobox, retrieved 28 September 2026), built around the Boeing 737 family. Check the airline's fleet page for the current breakdown, as numbers change with deliveries and retirements.
On board
Jeju Air operates a low-cost model. Seat pitch, entertainment and meal details were not confirmed in the sources used, so travellers should check before booking, and should assume food and extras are chargeable unless the fare says otherwise.
Good to know
- Checked baggage (international): according to the airline's baggage page, the FLY fare includes no free checked bag, FLYBAG includes 15 kg and BIZ LITE 30 kg. Items may weigh up to 32 kg; excess baggage is charged. Domestic and Guam/Saipan rules differ.
- Doorside service: optional quick baggage pickup costs KRW 3,000 per item domestically and KRW 5,000 internationally.
- Loyalty: the frequent-flyer programme is called Refresh Point.
- Safety: on 29 December 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Bangkok, crashed at Muan International Airport. Wikipedia reports 179 of the 181 people on board died, and the cause was still under investigation when last retrieved.
- Lounges and fees: no lounge access or change-fee information was confirmed; check the airline's website.
About Air Busan Read more
Overview
Air Busan is a low-cost airline based in Busan, South Korea. According to Wikipedia, it was established on 31 August 2007 as a joint venture between the city of Busan and Asiana Airlines, and began flying in October 2008. Asiana was its largest shareholder and, after Asiana's merger with Korean Air, Air Busan became part of the Korean Air group's low-cost carrier consolidation. It is not a member of an alliance.
The airline remains in operation, but a merger is planned. CAPA reports that Air Busan, Jin Air and Air Seoul signed an agreement on 24 August 2026 to merge under the Jin Air brand, with launch expected on 17 March 2027. Shareholder votes are planned for December 2026, and regulatory approval is also needed. Until then, Air Busan tickets are sold under the Air Busan name.
Network and hubs
Gimhae International Airport in Busan is the main hub, and Air Busan uses its expanded international terminal. Wikipedia lists about 35 destinations, with domestic services such as Busan to Seoul Gimpo and Jeju, and international routes in Japan and elsewhere in Asia. International flights from Busan to Fukuoka began in 2010. Jin Air and Air Busan began a domestic codeshare on 6 January 2026 covering Gimpo-Busan, Jeju-Busan and Jeju-Ulsan (ch-aviation).
Fleet
The fleet is all Airbus A320 family. As of August 2025, Wikipedia lists 20 aircraft: five A320-200, seven A321-200, six A321neo and two A321LR. Flightradar24 currently lists 21 aircraft, so the count varies by source and date.
On board
Air Busan is a low-cost carrier with a single-class layout on most aircraft. Simple Flying reports a seat pitch of 31-32 inches on its A321s. Details of meals, entertainment and Wi-Fi were not confirmed in the sources reviewed, so check the airline's website before travelling.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: third-party sources state one bag of up to 10 kg is allowed (55 x 40 x 20 cm). Checked baggage allowances vary by fare and route, so confirm on airbusan.com.
- Safety: on 28 January 2025 an A321 caught fire at Gimhae before departure, and all 176 people on board were evacuated (Aviation Herald).
- Loyalty: Wikipedia lists Asiana Club as the frequent-flyer programme. This may change with the merger.
- Merger: bookings and policies may change after the planned March 2027 integration into Jin Air.
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