In a strategic move to accommodate soaring summer travel demand and bolster its loyalty program, Korean Air today announced the launch of 54 exclusive mileage-only flights between Seoul’s Gimpo Airport and Jeju Island. This special service will operate from July 4 to September 21, 2025, offering SKYPASS members more opportunities to utilize their accumulated miles on one of the world’s busiest domestic air routes.
The dedicated flights will run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, spanning three consecutive weekends each month. This initiative directly addresses the increased demand anticipated during the summer vacation season, a period notorious for limited seat availability on popular routes.
Korean Air stated that these mileage-exclusive flights are designed to enhance the value of its SKYPASS frequent flyer program. By making these seats redeemable only through miles, the airline aims to provide priority access to its most loyal customers, particularly on high-demand dates where reward bookings are typically scarce.
This move by Korean Air echoes a similar strategy employed by Asiana Airlines, which had scheduled 60 mileage-only flights on the same route earlier this summer, prior to its full integration with Korean Air. The introduction of these special services by Korean Air is seen as a pivotal component of its post-merger loyalty strategy, as the airline works to unify its mileage programs and solidifies its customer engagement efforts.
The Seoul-Jeju air corridor is globally recognized for its high traffic, serving a diverse range of travelers from leisure tourists visiting Jeju’s UNESCO-protected natural sites to business travelers seeking frequent and fast connections. Korean Air’s decision to assign mileage-only inventory on his vital route underscores both an operational response to peak demand and a customer-centric approach to maximizing loyalty program benefits.
