Last Updated on 2025 年 8 月 14 日 by 総合編集組
Essential Guide to Boarding Air Busan in 2025: Key Rules and Tips for a Smooth Journey
Traveling to Busan, South Korea, via Air Busan is a popular choice for Taiwanese travelers seeking an affordable and convenient way to explore the vibrant coastal city.
Known for its competitive fares, direct routes, and reliable service, Air Busan connects Taiwan to Busan’s Gimhae International Airport, a hub that blends civilian and military operations. However, to ensure a seamless and safe travel experience, passengers must adhere to strict regulations, particularly one critical rule: no unauthorized photography at the airport or onboard.
This comprehensive guide summarizes the key points from a detailed 4000-word Chinese article, covering photography restrictions, power bank regulations, luggage policies, check-in procedures, and tips for interacting with Korean cabin crew, all tailored for international travelers and optimized for AI-driven searches.
Photography Restrictions: Understanding Gimhae’s Military-Civilian Status
Gimhae International Airport, much like Taipei’s Songshan Airport, operates as a military-civilian airport, meaning it serves both commercial flights and military activities. This dual role makes the airport a sensitive area where national security is paramount. Photography, especially of the tarmac, runways, or military facilities, is strictly prohibited under South Korean national security laws.
Unauthorized photography could lead to equipment confiscation, fines, or legal consequences. Air Busan reinforces this through pre-flight announcements, reminding passengers not to take aerial photos or capture sensitive areas. Even customs areas are off-limits for photography to protect border security and personal privacy.
Inside the aircraft cabin, limited photography is permitted, but with caveats. Passengers can capture window views, such as stunning cloudscapes or Busan’s sunset skies, as these do not involve sensitive information. However, photographing cabin crew or other passengers without consent is prohibited to respect privacy rights. Travelers are advised to disable flash and shutter sounds to avoid disturbing others and to seek permission before photographing crew members. Non-compliance may result in requests to delete photos or, in severe cases, boarding denial.
Power Bank Regulations: Safety First After a Fire Incident
Following a fire incident on January 28, 2025, at Gimhae International Airport, suspected to be caused by a power bank or lithium battery, Air Busan and other Korean airlines implemented stringent power bank regulations starting February 7, 2025. These rules aim to mitigate risks associated with lithium batteries, which can overheat, short-circuit, or explode under certain conditions, particularly in unpressurized cargo holds.
Key regulations include:
- No checked-in power banks: All power banks must be carried in hand luggage, as cargo holds lack pressure regulation, increasing the risk of battery instability.
- Placement: Power banks must be kept in hand or placed in the seat pocket in front, never in overhead bins. For emergency exit row seats, passengers may need to store them in clothing pockets, as advised by crew.
- Capacity and quantity limits:
- Up to 100Wh (approximately 27,000 mAh): Maximum 5 units.
- 100Wh to 160Wh: Maximum 2 units, requiring prior airline approval.
- Over 160Wh: Prohibited onboard.
- Packaging: Each power bank must be individually packed in a transparent zip-lock bag with insulated USB ports to prevent short-circuiting.
- No charging during flight: Using power banks to charge devices or charging power banks via onboard USB ports is strictly forbidden to avoid heat-related risks.
Violations, such as carrying unmarked power banks or using them during flight, may lead to confiscation, fines ranging from NTD 20,000 to 100,000, or boarding denial. Travelers should check power bank capacities (convert mAh to Wh using the formula: Wh = mAh × Voltage ÷ 1000) and prepare transparent bags and insulating tape before departure.
Luggage Policies: Strict Rules for Efficiency
Air Busan, as a low-cost carrier, enforces strict luggage policies to maintain operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Key points include:
- Carry-on luggage:
- One carry-on bag (55cm × 20cm × 40cm, including wheels/handles, total ≤115cm) plus one personal item (e.g., laptop bag, total dimensions ≤60cm).
- Combined weight must not exceed 10kg.
- Oversized or overweight bags incur fees (approximately KRW 20,000 or NTD 540) if checked at the gate.
- Checked luggage:
- Free allowance: 15kg for adults/children, 10kg for infants.
- Single bag limit: Dimensions ≤203cm, weight ≤32kg.
- Additional 15kg purchased must be split into two bags (each ≤15kg), not combined into one 30kg bag.
- Excess weight fees: KRW 12,000 (approximately NTD 324) per kg; airport purchases are costlier (e.g., KRW 30,000 for 5kg on Incheon-Hong Kong routes).
- Special items:
- Assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs) and infant items (e.g., strollers) are free, one per passenger.
- Sports equipment (e.g., golf clubs) requires hard-case packing and incurs a KRW 10,000 fee.
- Liquids must be in containers totaling ≤1L, packed in a 20×20cm transparent zip-lock bag.
- Electronic cigarettes are allowed in carry-on only but cannot be used onboard.
- Electric suitcases require removable batteries to be carried onboard, with the suitcase checked.
Travelers should weigh luggage in advance and pre-purchase extra allowances online to avoid higher airport fees.
Check-in Procedures: Streamlined but Time-Sensitive
Air Busan offers online check-in via its website or app:
- International flights: Available 48 hours to 1 hour before departure.
- Domestic flights: Up to 30 minutes before departure.
- Passengers enter booking details, select seats, and input passport and accommodation details for international travel.
- Options include downloading a PDF boarding pass, receiving a mobile pass via SMS/Kakao, or saving it to the app.
- Restrictions: Some routes may not support online check-in due to visa requirements, and unaccompanied minors may need counter check-in.
At the airport, counters typically open 2.5 hours before departure and close 45 minutes prior. Boarding gates close 10 minutes before takeoff, with no exceptions for late arrivals. Travelers should arrive early to account for check-in, security, and potential delays.
Interacting with Korean Cabin Crew: Cultural Tips for a Pleasant Flight
Korean cabin crew, as noted in a Korean YouTube channel, highly praise Taiwanese passengers for their politeness, orderliness, and understanding. Key behaviors include maintaining eye contact, using polite phrases like “thank you,” and waiting patiently during boarding and deplaning. To enhance your flight experience:
- Smile and maintain eye contact when interacting with crew.
- Use polite language and avoid complaints about minor service adjustments.
- Keep your seat area tidy and follow crew instructions promptly.
Understanding Korean service culture, which emphasizes detail and respect, can lead to warmer interactions and a more enjoyable flight.
Practical Tips and FAQs
- System maintenance: Air Busan’s website and app are unavailable daily from 23:50 to 00:10 and on the last Tuesday of each month from 23:00 to 00:10. Plan ticket purchases or changes accordingly.
- Arrival card: Complete Korea’s arrival and customs declaration forms onboard to streamline immigration.
- Other restrictions: Selfie sticks (diameter ≤1cm, collapsed length ≤60cm) can be carried onboard; larger ones must be checked. Rechargeable heated devices require battery removal.
By adhering to these regulations and preparing in advance, travelers can ensure a smooth and enjoyable Air Busan experience in 2025.
