A new airline will offer price competition for non-stop flights from Vancouver to Seoul, South Korea over the summer.
T'way Air will launch non-stop service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Incheon International Airport (ICN) on July 12 and continuing through Oct. 18.
It will operate flights four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The outbound flight departs Incheon International Airport at 9:05 p.m. (KST) and arrives at Vancouver International Airport at 3:25 p.m. (local time). The return flight leaves Vancouver at 5:25 p.m. and lands in Seoul at 9:35 p.m. (KST) the following day.
T'way Air says the "new flights meet growing demand for affordable, long-haul travel across key Asia-Pacific and North American markets." The Vancouver route is the airline's only nonstop flight to Canada.
Currently, Air Canada and Korean Air offer non-stop service on the YVR-ICN route, with prices starting close to $1,100 or much higher, depending on the season (summer prices tend to cost more).
Travellers can find summer fares with T'way Air starting from at least $50 to $100 less than competitor prices in its economy class.
Low-cost option with 12 flat-bed seats in Business
T'way Air's A330-300 aircraft has 347 seats with 12 flat-bed options in its Business Saver class with adjustable headrests, extra legroom, personal power outlets and individual reading lights.
All passengers on the overseas flight receive complimentary meals: two in Business Saver and one in Economy.
The Korean low-cost airline has plans to expand its network beyond the 50 destinations it currently serves.
The airline is a South Korean low-cost carrier based in Seoul, meaning it has more restrictive booking guidelines (particularly in the lower fare classes). Travellers should always check the fine print before booking.
The new route will bring the total number of weekly flights departing YVR for Seoul to 47 annually. According to YVR, B.C. is home to the second-largest Korean community in Canada, 93 per cent of which reside in Vancouver. Canada is also home to the fourth-largest Korean population outside of Korea.
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