Jin Air and Air Busan are both South Korean low-cost carriers within the Korean Air group's low-cost consolidation, and both fly domestic routes such as Gimpo–Busan and Jeju–Busan, plus short-haul services to Japan and Southeast Asia. They are due to merge under the Jin Air brand, so many travellers are comparing them before the change.
Quick verdict
The two are close in product: both are no-frills low-cost carriers with no alliance. Jin Air suits travellers who want a wider network from Seoul, including Southeast Asia, Guam and Mongolia, or a few business-style seats on some aircraft. Air Busan suits those starting in Busan, who want its Gimhae hub and an all-Airbus fleet. On routes they share, compare fares and baggage terms. Both are due to merge on 17 March 2027, so check booking terms for flights after that date.
Choose Jin Air if…
- You are flying from Seoul Gimpo or Incheon to Japan, Southeast Asia, Guam or Mongolia.
- You want the option of business-style seats on some 737-900 or A321 flights, or premium seats on a 777.
- You prefer the carrier whose brand will survive the planned 2027 merger.
Choose Air Busan if…
- You are starting from Busan Gimhae and want the airline that has it as its main hub.
- You prefer a single-type Airbus A320-family fleet, with A321 economy seat pitch of about 31-32 inches.
- You want a simple single-class economy product on short Japan and Asia routes.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Jin Air operates from Seoul Gimpo and Incheon, with focus cities at Busan and Jeju. It flies to Japan, Southeast Asia (including Bangkok, Da Nang, Hanoi, Cebu and Phu Quoc), Taiwan, Guam, Mongolia and several Chinese cities. Its Hong Kong and Macau services are suspended and Honolulu has ended.
Air Busan is centred on Busan Gimhae, with domestic links to Gimpo and Jeju and international routes in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.
Fleet and cabins
Jin Air runs a mixed fleet: Boeing 737-800s, 737-900s, 737 MAX 8s, three 777-200ERs and one A321-200. Most seats are economy, but some 737-900s have 8 business-style seats, the A321-200 has 12, and the 777-200ER has 48 premium seats.
Air Busan flies only Airbus A320-family aircraft (A320, A321, A321neo and A321LR) in a mainly single-class layout. Its A321 economy pitch is about 31-32 inches.
Baggage and fares
Both are low-cost carriers, so checked baggage, meals and seat selection usually depend on the fare and route. Air Busan's cabin allowance is reported as one 10 kg bag (55x40x20 cm); check airbusan.com for checked allowances. For Jin Air, check the fare page on jinair.com before booking, as allowances vary by fare and route.
Domestic codeshare
Since 6 January 2026 the two airlines have run a domestic codeshare covering Gimpo–Busan, Jeju–Busan and Jeju–Ulsan, as reported by ch-aviation. On these routes schedule and price should decide.
Merger and loyalty
In August 2026 Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul agreed to merge into one low-cost carrier under the Jin Air brand, with launch planned for 17 March 2027, according to CAPA. Shareholder votes are planned for December 2026 and regulatory approval is needed. Neither airline belongs to an alliance. Schedules, policies and booking systems may change after the merger.
Safety and reliability
On 28 January 2025 an Air Busan A321 caught fire at Gimhae before departure, and all 176 people on board were evacuated. Jin Air kept its PW4000-powered 777s flying for four days in February 2021 after other carriers grounded theirs, and returned its first 777 to service in June 2022.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jin Air better than Air Busan?
Neither is clearly better; both are low-cost carriers. Jin Air has a wider network from Seoul and some premium seating, while Air Busan is stronger from Busan.
Are Jin Air and Air Busan merging?
Yes. They agreed in August 2026, with Air Seoul, to merge under the Jin Air brand, with launch planned for 17 March 2027, subject to shareholder votes and regulatory approval.
Do Jin Air and Air Busan include checked baggage?
It depends on the fare and route for both airlines. Check the fare details on each airline's website before booking.
About Jin Air Read more
Overview
Jin Air is a South Korean low-cost airline. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in January 2008 and began flying in July 2008 with a Gimpo–Jeju service. It is headquartered in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is a subsidiary of Korean Air and has been listed on the Korea Exchange since December 2017. It does not belong to a global alliance.
In August 2026 Jin Air signed an agreement with Air Busan and Air Seoul to merge into one low-cost carrier on 17 March 2027, as reported by Yonhap. The combined airline will use the Jin Air brand. Until then, the three airlines operate separately.
Network and hubs
Jin Air's hubs are Seoul Gimpo and Seoul Incheon, and it also has focus cities at Busan and Jeju. Domestic routes link Gimpo and Jeju with regional airports such as Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Yeosu and Ulsan. International routes serve Japan (including Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo), Southeast Asia (including Bangkok, Da Nang, Hanoi, Cebu and Phu Quoc), Taiwan, Guam, Mongolia and several cities in China. Its Hong Kong and Macau services are listed as suspended and its Honolulu route as terminated. A domestic codeshare with Air Busan began in January 2026.
Fleet
As of August 2026, Wikipedia lists 31 aircraft in service. They comprise 19 Boeing 737-800s, 3 Boeing 737-900s, 5 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 3 Boeing 777-200ERs and 1 Airbus A321-200. Orders include 10 A321neos and 3 more 737-900s. ch-aviation reports that the A321-200 is Jin Air's first Airbus jet and was transferred from Asiana Airlines, and it lists 33 aircraft for the carrier.
On board
- Most aircraft are single-class economy; the 737-800s have 183 or 189 seats and the 737 MAX 8 has 189.
- The 737-900 has 8 business-style seats and 180 economy seats. The A321-200 has 12 business-style seats and 162 economy seats.
- The 777-200ER seats 393: 48 premium seats and 345 economy seats.
- Seat pitch, meal service, entertainment and Wi-Fi details were not confirmed in the sources reviewed. Check the airline's website before booking.
Good to know
- Baggage allowances, change fees and lounge access vary by fare and route. They were not confirmed in the sources reviewed, so check the official website.
- Jin Air is a low-cost carrier, so extras are likely to be charged separately; confirm this on the airline's fare pages.
- The planned merger with Air Busan and Air Seoul in March 2027 may change schedules, branding and booking systems.
- No published on-time performance figure was found for this profile.
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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