Korean LCC Jeju Air goes upmarket; business class, lounge

Jeju Air will become the first South Korean LCC with a business class seat in early Jul-2019 when it puts into service retrofitted 737-800s with 12 recliner seats in 2x2 configuration. The new product will debut on Jeju's new Busan-Singapore service and will be available on a limited number of other medium haul routes from Busan.

Jeju Air also recently became the first South Korean LCC to open a lounge: the 'JJ Lounge' opened in Apr-2019 at Seoul Incheon Terminal 1 and can only be accessed by Jeju Air passengers - on a pay for entry basis.

South Korea's first and largest LCC has always followed somewhat of a hybrid model. The opening of a lounge and introduction of a business class product, albeit on a trial basis, represents a further shift in Jeju's strategy.