Jetstar: Gold Coast to Seoul from December 2019

According to Jim Liu of Routes Online, and press release, Jetstar is planning a seasonal route between Gold Coast and Seoul Incheon starting in December 2019.

The route is subject to government approval.

This three times a week direct flight is slated to be operated by a Boeing 787-8 aircraft from 8 December 2019 through until 28 February 2020.

Flight codes and times are:

• JQ049 – Departing Gold Coast (OOL) at 13:20 – Arriving Incheon (ICN at 22:00 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
• JQ050 – Departing Incheon (ICN) at 23:30 – Arriving 09:45(+1 Day) at Gold Coast (OOL) on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

“By introducing low fares to Seoul, we expect that South Korea will be a country that jumps to the top of many Australian traveller’s bucket lists,”

Gareth Evans, Jetstar Group CEO

My take

I’ve transited Incheon airport a couple of times and would love to actually visit the craziness the looks like Korea. But I don’t think I will be doing a 10-hour stint on Jetstar in Economy.

Cheapest fares I could find for December 2019 are around $1,000 return for a basic economy fare, and closer to $2,650 in Business.

The last time Qantas Group planes flew to Seoul was back in February 1998.