After 14 Trips, I’ve Found the Best Airlines to Fly to South Korea

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South Korea has become one of my favorite destinations, and I’ve spent years figuring out the best airlines to fly to South Korea from the US. Fourteen trips later, I know which carriers are worth your money and which ones will leave you regretting your booking before you even land.

This guide covers 12 airlines worth considering in 2026. Some fly nonstop, others connect through Tokyo or European hubs, and a few will surprise you with how affordable a lie flat bed can be. I’ve skipped the airlines that waste your time or money and focused on the ones I’d book myself.

Quick tip to find cheap flights to South Korea

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1. 🇰🇷 Korean Air

• 🏠 Base: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
• ✈️ Best For: The most nonstop options from North America and a Korean travel experience from takeoff
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy (on select aircraft), Prestige Business, First
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Two free checked bags in Economy on most long-haul routes
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: SKYPASS (SkyTeam)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book morning arrivals into Incheon for smooth immigration and easy domestic connections to Busan, Jeju, or Daegu

Korean Air is South Korea’s flagship carrier and the airline with the most nonstop flights from North America to Seoul. They fly direct from 13 US and Canadian cities including Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, and Vancouver. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at roughly 12 to 13 hours in the air. East Coasters should expect around 14 to 15 hours.

The airline just unveiled its first rebrand in 41 years, complete with a fresh livery and an upgraded dining experience designed by a Seoul based chef. They’ve also introduced a brand new Premium Economy cabin on their Boeing 777s. This sits between Economy and Business if you want extra space without the full splurge. New lounges are opening at LAX in January 2026 and JFK in June 2026, so the ground experience is getting a facelift too.

I’ve flown Korean Air twice and the thing that sticks with me is how smooth everything feels. The crew is attentive without being overbearing, the legroom in Economy is noticeably better than most US airlines, and the bibimbap they serve mid flight is fantastic. If you’re a points collector, SKYPASS partners with Delta and other SkyTeam airlines, so you can earn and redeem miles across a big network.

• Keep reading: 11 Most Beautiful Places in South Korea

2. 🇰🇷 Air Premia

• 🏠 Base: Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
• ✈️ Best For: Budget conscious travelers who refuse to sacrifice legroom or sanity on a 13 hour flight
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy (35 inch pitch), Wide Premium (42 inch pitch with extra recline)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Free checked bag and meals included on all fares
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: None, but who cares at these prices
• 💡 Pro Tip: Their Wide Premium cabin is basically Premium Economy at a fraction of what Korean Air or United charge, so it’s worth the upgrade on overnight flights

Let me be honest with you. Flights to South Korea have become expensive. The Korean Air and Asiana merger killed off a lot of the price competition, and fares from the US are sitting around 70% higher than they were in 2019. Air Premia is the antidote to all of that, consistently pricing 30 to 40% lower than the legacy carriers while still including meals and checked bags in every fare.

They currently fly from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newark, and Honolulu, with a brand new Washington DC route launching in April 2026. Every flight operates on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which means better cabin pressure, bigger windows, and less jet lag when you land. The catch is they’re not part of any alliance, so you won’t earn miles on Delta or United, but honestly the savings usually outweigh that.

I’d pick Air Premia over a basic economy fare on a US carrier any day of the week. You get more legroom in standard Economy than most airlines offer in Premium Economy, the Korean meals are tasty, and the crew treats you like a human being. The only real downside is limited frequencies, sometimes just a few flights per week on certain routes, so you’ll need flexibility with your dates.

• Get ready for your trip: 12 Enchanting Places in Seoul That Look Straight Out of a Postcard

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3. 🇺🇸 United Airlines

• 🏠 Base: San Francisco (SFO), Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Washington Dulles (IAD)
• ✈️ Best For: Domestic connections from smaller US cities and MileagePlus members who want to earn status on the way to Seoul
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Economy Plus, Premium Plus, Polaris Business
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Checked bags included with Premium Plus and Polaris
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: MileagePlus (Star Alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: The San Francisco route operates twice daily, so you’ve got flexibility if you need to shift your schedule

Here’s where United gets interesting. If you live anywhere outside of a major coastal city, they’re often your best option for getting to Seoul without a painful routing. United’s domestic network is massive, so you can fly from somewhere like Denver, Nashville, or Austin and connect seamlessly through San Francisco or Chicago without booking separate tickets or rechecking bags. That convenience factor is hard to beat.

Right now, they fly from San Francisco twice daily. Their new Newark to Seoul route launches in September 2026. This makes United the only US carrier flying nonstop from the New York metro area to South Korea, which is a huge deal if you’re on the East Coast and don’t want to backtrack through a West Coast hub. The flight operates on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with their latest Polaris business class seats.

The honest truth is United’s Economy product is just okay. It’s not bad, but it’s not memorable either, and you’ll feel the difference if you’ve flown Korean Air or Air Premia recently. Where United shines is Polaris, which is genuinely one of the best business class products from a US airline, and the lounges to match. If you’re sitting in the back, I recommend Economy Plus. That extra legroom matters on a 13 hour flight.

• Read next: Cheapest Places to Fly from Houston
• You may also like: Best Airlines to Fly to Asia

4. 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines

• 🏠 Base: Seattle (SEA), Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers in the South, Midwest, or Pacific Northwest who want a reliable US carrier with Korean Air connections
• 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Comfort Plus, Premium Select, Delta One
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: Free checked bag only with Premium Select and Delta One
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: SkyMiles (SkyTeam)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book through Delta but choose Korean Air operated flights to get the better onboard experience while still earning SkyMiles

Delta flies nonstop to Seoul from three US cities: Seattle, Atlanta, and Detroit. If you live in the South, Atlanta is your gateway and saves you from connecting through Los Angeles or San Francisco like you’d have to with most other airlines. Seattle works well for the Pacific Northwest crowd, and Detroit covers the Midwest. The flight time runs around 13 to 14 hours depending on your departure city.

Delta and Korean Air are partners. This means you can book one ticket that includes a Delta flight from your hometown to Seattle, then a Korean Air flight from Seattle to Seoul, all on the same reservation. Your bags transfer automatically, you earn Delta SkyMiles on the whole trip, and if anything goes wrong, Delta handles it. This is perfect if you want Korean Air’s better food and service on the long leg but need Delta’s connections to get you to the hub.

Delta’s Economy cabin is cramped compared to Korean Air, and the meals aren’t anything to write home about. If you’re spending 13 hours in the air, you’ll notice the difference. But if you can swing Delta One, their business class, you get a private suite with a closing door, a bed that lies fully flat, and service that rivals the Asian carriers. For everyone else, I’d advise upgrading to Comfort Plus for a few extra inches of legroom.

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5. 🇺🇸 Alaska Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Seattle (SEA)
• ✈️ Best For: Pacific Northwest travelers who don’t want to connect through San Francisco or Los Angeles to reach Asia
• 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Premium Class, Business Class (34 lie flat suites with privacy doors)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: First checked bag free with Alaska credit card, otherwise $35
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Atmos Rewards (oneworld alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Award tickets start at just 20,000 points one way in Economy, which is significantly cheaper than what Delta or United charge for the same route

Until 2024, Alaska Airlines didn’t have any planes big enough to fly across the Pacific. That all changed when they merged with Hawaiian Airlines and inherited a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. They launched Seattle to Seoul in September 2025, flying five times per week, and it’s the first time Pacific Northwest travelers have had an alternative to Delta or Korean Air for getting to Korea nonstop.

Here’s the situation in Seattle right now. Korean Air, Delta, and Alaska all fly nonstop to Seoul, which means you have options and the airlines are competing for your business. Alaska’s fares have been aggressive, with one way Economy tickets running around $444 and occasional promotions dropping even lower. Compare that to Korean Air, which often prices $200 to $300 higher on the same route. The catch is Alaska only flies five days a week, so you’ll need some flexibility with your dates.

The flight itself operates on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 34 Business Class suites that have closing doors and lie flat beds. In my opinion, it’s a nicer hard product than what Delta offers in the same market. If you live in Seattle and want to save money or collect oneworld miles for partners like Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific, Alaska is worth a serious look. I’ve flown them a few times, and can’t recommend them enough.

• Read next: The 7 Top Airlines to Book for Your Trip to Alaska
• You may also like: 5 Proven Tips to Fly to Alaska for Cheap (from Continental US)

6. 🇬🇧 Virgin Atlantic

• 🏠 Base: London Heathrow (LHR)
• ✈️ Best For: UK travelers or Americans who want to add a London stopover to their Korea trip
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium (extra legroom), Upper Class (lie flat business)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: 1 checked bag in Economy, 2 in Premium and Upper Class
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Club (transfers from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, Bilt)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Flying Club partners with Korean Air, so you can use Virgin points to book connecting flights beyond Seoul

Virgin Atlantic launches daily London to Seoul flights on March 29, 2026. Honestly, I think this is one of the more exciting new routes for anyone who likes to make the most of a long trip. Instead of flying directly from the US to Korea, you could stop in London for a few days, explore the city, then continue to Seoul on Virgin. Fares start around £799 in Economy and the 787 Dreamliner is a comfortable way to cover the 11 hour flight to Korea.

What I love most about Virgin is the experience. Their Clubhouse lounges at Heathrow feel more like a boutique hotel bar than a typical airport lounge, and the cabin crew seem to enjoy their jobs. Premium class gives you noticeably wider seats than standard Economy for a reasonable upgrade price, and I think it’s one of the better values in the sky for longer flights. Upper Class has lie flat beds and an onboard bar where you can stretch your legs mid flight, though the seats on the 787 are an older design that doesn’t feel as private as newer business class products.

The loyalty program is surprisingly useful even if you never fly Virgin. Flying Club transfers points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt, and you can use those points to book Korean Air flights through their partnership. So if you’re sitting on a pile of credit card points and want to fly Korean Air business class to Seoul, booking through Virgin’s program might get you there for fewer points than going direct.

• Read next: 8 Travel Credit Cards That Will Save You Thousands This Year
• Check this out next: Best Business Class Airlines to London from the US

7. 🇫🇷 Air France

• 🏠 Base: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want excellent business class or a Paris stopover on the way to Seoul
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business (lie flat suites with doors on A350s)
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: 1 checked bag in Economy, 2 in Premium Economy and Business
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Blue (transfers from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, Bilt)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Flying Blue runs monthly Promo Rewards with 25% off select routes, and transfer bonuses from credit card programs pop up regularly

Air France flies daily from Paris to Seoul on their Airbus A350. If you’re coming from the US, you’d connect through Charles de Gaulle airport. The connection adds a few hours to your total travel time, but it also gives you an excuse to spend a day or two in Paris on either end of your trip. I think this is one of the more underrated ways to fly to Korea if you’re not in a rush and want to make the journey part of the vacation.

The real reason to consider Air France is their business class, which I see as the best in Europe. Their newest A350s have private suites with closing doors, lie flat beds, and authentic French cuisine. The bulkhead seats in rows 1 and 10 have absurd amounts of legroom and are free to select if you check in early. Economy is perfectly fine but nothing special, and Premium Economy offers wider seats and better meals for a moderate upgrade price.

Flying Blue miles are easy to earn because the program transfers from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt at 1:1 ratios. Business class awards from the US to Europe start around 60,000 miles each way, and those transfer bonuses of 20 to 25% show up a few times per year. If you can time a transfer bonus with one of their monthly Promo Rewards discounts, you can fly business class to Paris and connect to Seoul for surprisingly few points.

• Plan your layover: 18 Unique Paris Tours to Put On Your Bucket List
• Discover more airlines: Cheapest Ways to Fly to Paris (I’ve Done It 10+ Times)

8. 🇩🇪 Lufthansa

• 🏠 Base: Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers who want maximum routing flexibility from smaller US cities
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business (new Allegris on some planes), First
• 🧳 Baggage Policy: 1 checked bag in Economy, 2 in Business and First
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Miles & More (Star Alliance)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book through United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan for better award availability than Miles & More

Lufthansa flies daily from both Frankfurt and Munich to Seoul. Because they have such a massive network from the US, you can connect from almost anywhere. Flying out of a smaller city where Korean Air or United don’t go direct? Lufthansa probably has a routing that works. The Germany to Seoul leg runs about 11 hours, and they’ve even partnered with Korean rail so you can book train tickets to other cities right through Lufthansa’s website.

Their new Allegris business class finally launched in 2024 after years of delays, and on the A350s that have it, the product is impressive. The suites have heated and cooled seats, tablet controls, and rival some of the best business class products out there. The annoying part is that Lufthansa charges extra to reserve the nicer seats even after you’ve paid for business class, which feels stingy. Not all their planes have the new cabins yet, so you need to verify what you’re actually getting.

For points, Lufthansa is Star Alliance so your United or Air Canada miles work here. I’d actually recommend booking through Aeroplan rather than Lufthansa’s own Miles & More program because availability tends to be better. The Frankfurt lounges are excellent but the airport itself can be stressful during tight connections, so give yourself plenty of time if you’re passing through.

• Read next: My Romantic Road Germany Itinerary: Map, Photos, and Tips
• You may also like: 10 of the Best Airlines to Fly To Germany in 2026

9. 🇫🇮 Finnair

• 🏠 Base: Helsinki (HEL)
• ✈️ Best For: Travelers from the Midwest or East Coast who want a calm, efficient connection
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business (AirLounge)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Finnair Plus (Avios currency, oneworld)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Transfer Chase/Amex to British Airways, then move Avios to Finnair for free

If you’re flying from Chicago, Dallas, or New York and don’t want to deal with a massive European hub, Finnair is the answer. Helsinki Airport is small, modern, and calm compared to the marathon connections you’d face at Heathrow or Frankfurt. I think this is one of the most underrated options for getting to Korea, especially if you value your sanity during layovers.

The onboard experience has a distinctly Nordic feel that I really appreciate. Their A350s have wider economy seats than most competitors, the food includes nice touches like their signature blueberry juice. Even in economy, it feels like someone actually thought about the passenger experience.

Finnair’s business class AirLounge seats are unlike anything else flying. They don’t recline traditionally but convert into wide, sofa style flat beds that frequent flyers love for sleeping. The Marimekko blankets and Iittala glassware give the cabin a clean Scandinavian vibe that feels designed rather than corporate.

For points, Finnair uses Avios now, same as British Airways and Qatar. Transfer from Chase, Amex, or Capital One to BA, then move those Avios to Finnair for free to book business class around 62,500 miles each way. Finnair often releases award seats that don’t show on BA’s site, so check both.

10. 🇳🇱 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

• 🏠 Base: Amsterdam (AMS)
• ✈️ Best For: Maximizing credit card points with frequent transfer bonuses
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Business (World Business Class)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Blue (SkyTeam, shared with Air France)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Flying Blue runs monthly Promo Rewards with up to 25% off select routes

KLM flies to Seoul daily through Amsterdam from 16 US cities, and this is where they stand out. If you live in Austin, Portland, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis, you’re not getting a nonstop to Korea, but KLM can get you there on one ticket with one stop. I recommend them over other European carriers if you’re flying from anywhere that isn’t a major hub.

The points situation with Flying Blue is honestly the best in the business for deal hunters. Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt all transfer at 1:1, and I see 20% to 25% bonuses pop up more than any other airline. Combine that with their monthly Promo Rewards discounts and you can fly business class for fewer miles than Delta charges for economy on the same route.

Amsterdam is a pleasant connection with good food and a lounge that has an outdoor terrace. KLM’s business class on their 787s is comfortable with lie flat seats and Michelin starred catering, though the cabin feels a bit dated compared to Air France’s newer planes. Economy is average but their Premium Comfort cabin is a nice middle option if you want legroom without paying for a flat bed.

• Read next: 12 Most Beautiful Places in Netherlands to Visit (Secrets Included!)

11. 🇰🇷 Jeju Air

• 🏠 Base: Seoul (ICN and GMP) and Jeju (CJU)
• ✈️ Best For: Budget travelers already in Asia who want cheap hops around the region
• 💺 Cabin Options: Economy only (Biz Lite available on some planes)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: J Members (not transferable, points based)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book the Fly Bag fare if you need checked luggage, it’s much cheaper than paying at the airport

Jeju Air is South Korea’s largest low cost carrier, and I want to be clear about what they are and aren’t. They don’t fly to the US or Europe at all. Their network covers domestic Korean routes plus short hops to Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. If you’re already in Asia and want a cheap way to fly to Seoul or explore the region after arriving on another airline, that’s where Jeju Air fits in.

The experience is exactly what you’d expect from a budget carrier. No free food or drinks, tight legroom (29 inches), no entertainment screens, and no in-flight wifi. They’re strict about baggage and will charge you heavily if your carry on is overweight, so weigh your bags before you get to the airport. Reviews are mixed on customer service, so have patience and keep your expectations realistic.

That said, the prices can be genuinely cheap. A flight from Tokyo to Seoul might run $60 to $80 one way, which is hard to beat. Their Biz Lite cabin on some aircraft offers a larger seat with 40 inches of pitch and a free meal if you want a bit more comfort without paying full service prices. For short flights under three hours, Jeju Air gets the job done. Just don’t expect Korean Air service at budget prices.

12. 🇯🇵 Zipair Tokyo

• 🏠 Base: Tokyo Narita (NRT)
• ✈️ Best For: Budget travelers who want a lie flat bed without the business class price
• 💺 Cabin Options: Standard (economy) and ZIP Full Flat (lie flat seats)
• 🎯 Loyalty Program: Zipair Points (transfers with JAL Mileage Bank)
• 💡 Pro Tip: Book Full Flat for the return flight when you actually need sleep

Zipair doesn’t fly directly to Seoul from the US, so let me explain why they’re on this list. They fly incredibly cheap fares from cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston to Tokyo, and from there Seoul is just a two and a half hour hop away. You’d book Zipair for the long portion, then grab a separate cheap ticket on a carrier like Jeju Air or even Zipair itself for the Tokyo to Seoul leg. It takes more planning than a nonstop, but the savings can be dramatic.

Zipair fly 787 Dreamliners with lie flat seats, the kind that recline into beds, for a fraction of what Japan Airlines or Korean Air charges. A Full Flat seat from LA to Tokyo runs $800 to $1,200 one way when competitors want $3,000 or more for business class. The catch is you’re only paying for the seat itself. No free food, no checked bags, no lounge access, no seatback entertainment, and no refunds if plans change. Bring snacks, pack light, and download shows to your phone.

I’d skip their regular economy for flights over five hours since 31 inches of legroom gets uncomfortable. The smart play is booking Full Flat overnight when sleep matters, then flying something cheaper during the day. No US credit card points transfer to Zipair, so this is a cash only strategy.

• For more reading: 10 BEST Airlines to Fly to Tokyo in 2026