If you failed to secure an airline ticket for this year’s Chuseok holiday, consider services that allow you to target canceled seats on sold-out flights for future holidays. Jeju Air’s “standby reservation service” is one such option. Available on the airline’s website or mobile app/web, the service lets you place a one-way standby request for a fully booked flight. After applying, you can check your real-time standby number, and if a seat becomes available, you’ll receive a notification via KakaoTalk, SMS, or email. For domestic flights, applications must be submitted at least four days before departure, and for international flights, seven days prior. While most standby applications for this Chuseok holiday have already closed, the service could be useful for future peak travel periods. During this year’s Chuseok holiday (September 23–28), approximately 1,520 standby requests were converted into actual bookings.
Ahead of the golden holiday period spanning Chuseok, National Foundation Day, and Hangeul Day, domestic airlines have introduced various “flight tips” to reduce airport wait times and make ticket purchases easier.
First, completing check-in online before arriving at the airport is now standard. Most airlines offer online check-in and mobile boarding pass services via their websites or apps. For example, Air Premia allows online check-in up to 90 minutes before departure, and seat selection and mobile boarding pass issuance are available from 24 hours prior. At the airport, self-bag drop services eliminate the need to wait in line at staffed counters. Trinity Airways is also actively promoting online check-in and self-bag drop services ahead of the holiday.
Second, Incheon Airport’s “Smart Pass” simplifies the departure process. By pre-registering your passport and facial information, you can verify your identity via facial recognition at immigration and boarding gates. Jeju Air has integrated Smart Pass with advance baggage check-in reservations. Passengers can complete mobile check-in one day before departure and reserve a time slot to drop off luggage at a dedicated counter on the day of travel. The number of Jeju Air passengers using Smart Pass surged from approximately 9,700 in February to 48,000 in August—an increase of about fivefold.
Third, if your schedule is flexible around the holiday, discounted tickets may be available. Jin Air is offering up to 15% fare discounts on domestic reverse-migration flights and 43 international routes until September 30. Additional discounts are available when paying with Naver Pay or Samsung Card.
As a bonus, airlines have prepared holiday-themed events. Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul will distribute yakgwa (traditional rice crackers) to passengers on select domestic flights departing from Gimpo and Gimhae airports on September 24. Jin Air will also share holiday greetings onboard flight LJ507 from Gimpo to Jeju on Chuseok Day. Eastar Jet plans to host an “OX Quiz” on select Southeast Asian routes, offering prizes to participants. Parata Air, celebrating its first anniversary, will give thank-you letters and hanhwa (traditional sweets) to all passengers during the Chuseok holiday.
Airlines are also implementing special transportation systems to handle increased holiday travel. Eastar Jet has strengthened its 24-hour emergency work system, ensuring pre-flight inspections and normal operations for essential personnel in control, maintenance, and logistics. Trinity Airways will operate a special transportation task force involving integrated control, safety and security teams, and domestic/international airport branches to monitor flight and airport conditions in real time.
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