Last Updated on 2025 年 11 月 22 日 by 総合編集組
Eastar Jet 2025: The Fastest-Rising Low-Cost Carrier in South Korea – Complete Guide & Review
Eastar Jet, once on the brink of bankruptcy, has staged one of the most impressive comebacks in Asian aviation history. After being fully acquired by VIG Partners in 2023, the airline has grown from just 3 aircraft to 20 brand-new Boeing 737-8s by the end of 2025, with plans to reach 27 by 2026. In June 2025, it was crowned “South Korea’s Best Low-Cost Airline” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards – a remarkable achievement for a carrier that was nearly grounded just a few years ago.
Fleet Expansion & Modernization All new aircraft are Boeing 737 MAX 8 (737-8) with 189 seats in a single-class configuration. These next-generation jets consume 20% less fuel and emit 20% less CO₂ compared to previous-generation aircraft. As of November 2025, the average fleet age is only 7 years – one of the youngest among Asian LCCs. By the end of 2025, half of the fleet will consist of brand-new deliveries, significantly improving reliability and passenger comfort.
Network & New Routes Eastar Jet currently operates five daily direct routes between Taiwan and South Korea: • Taipei Songshan (TSA) ↔ Seoul Gimpo (GMP) – the only city-center to city-center route • Taoyuan (TPE) ↔ Seoul Incheon (ICN) • Taoyuan (TPE) ↔ Cheongju (CJJ) – often the cheapest gateway • Taoyuan (TPE) ↔ Jeju (CJU) • Taoyuan (TPE) ↔ Busan (PUS)
In October 2025, Eastar Jet launched the first-ever direct flight between Incheon and Manado (Indonesia), initially 4× weekly and becoming daily from mid-December. The Jakarta route is also in advanced planning stages for 2026.
Fares & Promotions (2025-2026) The airline’s largest online travel fair ran from October 27 to November 14, 2025, offering one-way fares starting at: • TPE ↔ CJJ / CJU: NT$850 (~US$26) • TSA ↔ GMP / TPE ↔ ICN / PUS: NT$1,000 (~US$31) Travel period: October 27, 2025 – March 29, 2026 (including cherry blossom season).
Onboard Experience & Service Passengers consistently praise the cleanliness and quiet cabin of the new 737-8 aircraft. Complimentary bottled water is provided, and hot coffee is available on most flights (no milk/sugar). Legroom is standard for LCCs (29-30 inches), but emergency exit rows offer generous space at no extra charge. Baggage allowance is generous for an LCC: 10 kg carry-on + 15 kg checked included in most promotional fares.
Areas for Improvement While reliability has improved dramatically, occasional delays still occur, and communication during irregularities can be slow (especially for non-Korean speakers). Pre-flight emails are currently Korean-only, though the airline is working on multilingual support.
Comparison with Other Korean LCCs In 2025, Eastar Jet clearly outperforms Jeju Air, T’way Air, and Air Seoul in fleet age, environmental efficiency, and international recognition. With the upcoming 2026 merger of Korean Air’s LCC subsidiaries (Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Busan, etc.), Eastar Jet will become the only large independent low-cost carrier in South Korea – positioning it perfectly for further growth.
Outlook for 2026 and Beyond With 27 aircraft planned by the end of 2026 and potential new routes to Jakarta, Vietnam, and the Philippines, Eastar Jet is poised to become a major player in Northeast and Southeast Asia. Financially, the airline returned to operating profit in 2025, marking a full recovery from previous losses.
Final Verdict For budget-conscious travelers flying between Taiwan and Korea (especially to Cheongju, Jeju, or using the convenient Songshan-Gimpo route), Eastar Jet currently offers the best combination of low fares, modern aircraft, and improving service. While not yet at the reliability level of full-service carriers, it is undoubtedly the top Korean LCC in 2025.
Important Notice: All schedules, fares, and policies are subject to change. Always check the official Eastar Jet website for the latest information.
