Cheap flights from Australia to South Korea as Jetstar launches Seoul route

Jetstar has launched its new route into Asia, with non-stop flights from the Gold Coast to South Korea's capital, Seoul, taking off on Sunday. It's the first time a low-cost airline has linked the two countries. Currently two Korean airlines, Asiana and Korean Air, fly between Sydney and Seoul, while Korean Air also offers direct flights from Brisbane. Jetstar will operate the route three times a week, codesharing with Korea's Jeju Air and flying a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner featuring 321 economy class seats and 21 business class seats. Jetstar CEO Gareth Evans said he expected South Korea would jump to the top of the list for many Australian travellers with the advent of the new route. "We knew that the lack of low fares in the market was a barrier to people taking the trip between the two countries," he said. Evans said low cost flights had been "unbelievably popular" with 15,000 seats already sold. Launch fares were on offer from $179 one way. He said one-way fares were currently about $300 to $400.<br/>