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Eastar Jet (ZE) Guide

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Budget flights from Seoul and Busan to Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Central Asia: Eastar Jet routes, fleet, fares, baggage, check-in and tips. Ask a question
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In short

Eastar Jet is a South Korean low-cost airline headquartered in Seoul, flying Boeing 737s from Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, Cheongju and Jeju. It serves Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, China and Kazakhstan. There is no alliance. All seats are Economy; discount and regular fares include 15 kg checked, while event fares carry no checked bag.

Eastar Jet is a Korean budget airline relaunched in 2023 under VIG Partners, flying Boeing 737s.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Eastar Jet. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Eastar Jet is a Seoul-based low-cost airline founded in October 2007. It flew its first service, Gimpo to Jeju, on 7 January 2009. It was bought outright by the private equity firm VIG Partners in January 2023 and restarted flights later that year with three aircraft. It has grown steadily since and now flies from Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, Cheongju and Jeju.

In Thailand the airline's strongest presence is in the north. Chiang Mai has two Eastar Jet routes, one from Seoul Incheon and one from Busan Gimhae, the second added in December 2024. Its Incheon to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi flight is listed as resuming on 25 October 2026, so check that dates after the restart are on sale before you plan around it. Fares can be compared on Seoul to Chiang Mai flights, Chiang Mai to Seoul flights, Seoul to Bangkok flights and Bangkok to Seoul flights.

Elsewhere the network leans towards Japan (Tokyo Narita, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Naha and several regional airports), Taiwan, Vietnam's beach cities and a handful of Chinese points. From Busan it also reaches Almaty in Kazakhstan, and a Busan to Hong Kong service is scheduled to begin on 25 October 2026.

Once the Bangkok route is back, travellers touring Thailand can end their trip with an Eastar Jet flight to Seoul. For Chiang Mai, Thai domestic flights from Bangkok link up with the Eastar Jet services to Korea.

Founding in 2007 and the first flight

Eastar Jet was founded on 26 October 2007 and received its operator's certificate on 6 August 2008. The first flight on 7 January 2009 used a Boeing 737, Cheongju to Jeju followed in June 2009, and the first international route, Incheon to Kuching in Malaysia, opened on 24 December 2009. The millionth passenger flew on 6 January 2010, and in July 2016 the airline joined the U-FLY Alliance.

Property developer Sung Jung bought the company in June 2021 and sold it to VIG Partners in January 2023.

Restarting in 2023 and rebuilding the fleet

Flights restarted in 2023 with three aircraft, and the fleet reached 10 by the end of that year and 15 during 2024. From January to October 2024 the airline carried about 2.2 million domestic and 1.48 million international passengers, about 72% of its 2019 level. As of December 2025 it flew 10 Boeing 737-800s and 14 737 MAX 8s, with two more on order. Codeshare partners are Spring Airlines and Trinity Airways, and the ICAO code is ESR.

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Eastar Jet official website

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Good to know

  • AllianceNone
  • Founded2007
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

ZE · ESR

IATA · ICAO · callsign “EASTAR”

Look for ZE in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the Eastar Jet code. Enter ZE and the number to follow an Eastar Jet departure.

Key facts

Network

Korea and Asia

Thailand · Japan · Taiwan · Vietnam · China · Kazakhstan

Eastar Jet flies from Seoul and Busan to Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and to Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and Almaty.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

A single Economy cabin, sold as event, discount and regular fares.

About the cabin

Good to know

The Incheon to Bangkok route is listed as resuming on 25 October 2026; Chiang Mai is served from Incheon and Busan. Official website: eastarjet.com.

Start a new search

One bookingMentor search puts an Eastar Jet ticket next to every other option on your route, so you can see which airline gives the better deal.

Wishing you a smooth trip with Eastar Jet.

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At a glance

Eastar Jet (IATA: ZE, ICAO: ESR) is a South Korean low-cost airline founded in 2007 and headquartered in Seoul. Owned by VIG Partners since 2023, it flies Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 jets from Incheon, Gimpo, Busan, Cheongju and Jeju to Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Kazakhstan and Thailand, including Chiang Mai from Seoul and Busan.

Key facts about Eastar Jet
HeadquartersGangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Fleet typesBoeing 737-800, 737 MAX 8
Official websiteeastarjet.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
Eastar Jet is still rebuilding its network, so routes start, pause and restart often. These are established destinations; confirm the current schedule when you search. Search flights

Thailand

Seoul (ICN) departures2 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

An all-Boeing 737 fleet that has expanded since the 2023 restart.

  • Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body Established routes, including Busan to Chiang Mai
  • Boeing 737 MAX 8 Narrow-body Most of the fleet, including longer sectors such as Busan to Almaty

Cabin classes

One cabin.

Economy All flights

Event, discount or regular fare

Cabin bag up to 115 cm15 kg checked on discount and regular faresNo checked bag or changes on event fares

Frequent flyer programme

Details of the Eastar Jet loyalty programme are being added Add your membership number when you book to earn miles.
Join on the airline's site

Baggage allowance

On Eastar Jet, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your ZE e-ticket.

Cabin baggage
1 bag, 115 cm total
Discount / regular
15 kg checked
Event fare
No checked bag
Heaviest checked piece
32 kg

Discount and regular fares include 15 kg of checked baggage; event fares include none. One cabin bag up to 115 cm in total dimensions is allowed on every fare.

Pro tip: pre-buy extra weight online; airport excess rates are higher.
Travel day

Online Check-in

The four steps below take you from your Eastar Jet booking to the gate, whether you depart from ICN or another airport on its network.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use eastarjet.com or app to check in for eligible flights. Have your Eastar Jet booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    International Eastar Jet passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Eastar Jet closes its check-in counters before departure, and passengers who miss the cut-off can be refused boarding. Leave room for bag drop and security at ICN.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    At the airport, take your bags to the Eastar Jet bag-drop point. Collect a printed ZE boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.

    Eastar Jet counter
Departing from Seoul? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Incheon International, all in one guide.
Seoul Airport guide Check in with Eastar Jet
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Cheap tickets

Ways to get more out of an Eastar Jet fare between Korea and Thailand.

  1. 01

    Confirm the Bangkok restart

    Search for a date after the restart and make sure a ZE flight number appears before you commit to an onward ticket that depends on it.

    From 25 Oct 2026
  2. 02

    Use Busan for the south

    The Busan to Chiang Mai flight suits travellers living in Busan, Ulsan or Changwon, with no transfer through Seoul.

    PUS to CNX
  3. 03

    Avoid event fares for long trips

    The lowest fare is fixed and carries no hold luggage. Price a discount fare with 15 kg before you click.

    No bag, no changes
  4. 04

    Join before a sale

    Eastar Jet runs its seasonal sales through its own website and app for registered members, so sign up in advance if you are watching a route.

    Members first
  5. 05

    Compare event and regular fares

    Eastar Jet's cheapest event fares come without checked baggage, seat selection or changes. Discount and regular fares include 15 kg in the hold, which is usually the better buy for a trip of more than a few days.

  6. Ready to compare fares?

    Search Eastar Jet alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search Eastar Jet flights

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Eastar Jet.
Checked against eastarjet.com and public aviation references, with a review each season.

General

The Incheon to Suvarnabhumi service is listed as restarting on 25 October 2026. Before that date, compare other carriers on Seoul to Bangkok flights.