As the main gateway to the beloved holiday spot of South Korea, Jeju Island, Jeju International Airport (CJU) is one of the busiest airports in the world. I have hopped this airline for its quick domestic routes around Korea numerous times, and I absolutely recommend it to anyone. It may be lower cost, but the service is excellent and works well for island hops.
Navigating the terminals
Jeju International Airport (CJU) is compact but busy. The airport has one main terminal building divided into Domestic and International departures. The Domestic Terminal is the bustling heart of the airport, handling the massive traffic from Seoul, while the International Terminal serves flights from nearby Asian hubs. Navigating’s straightforward, everything is under one roof, but give yourself extra time during peak holiday seasons when the crowds can rival a K-pop concert.
Getting to and from the airport
The airport sits just a few miles from Jeju City, so getting to town is a breeze. The airport limousine bus (No. 600) is a popular pick, looping through major hotels and the Seogwipo area. Taxis are plentiful curbside and relatively affordable, just have your destination written in Korean to smooth things over. For the adventurous, rental cars are the best way to explore all the nooks and crannies around the island, with rental counters on the first floor.
Check in and boarding pass policies
Generally, passengers should arrive two and a half hours prior to their departure time for international flights and one hour prior for domestic flights to avoid congestion. Check in is available 24 hours before flights and mobile boarding passes are often available but aren’t always accepted. Flights to China and a few other international destinations do not allow mobile boarding pass access. In these cases, you can still check in online but will need to visit the check-in desk at the airport to receive a printed boarding pass from an agent before proceeding to the gate.
There are also various restrictions on particular fliers receiving their boarding passes. Pregnant women and a handful of others need to complete an in-person check-in at the desk, too.
Destinations
Jeju Air operates domestic routes in South Korea, including the busy Gimpo–Jeju route, and serves 66 routes across 48 cities in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline flies to China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and to Guam and Saipan in Oceania, along with various other locations throughout Southeast Asia.
Amenities and services
While you wait, the airport offers a solid mix of duty-free shopping (a big draw here) and local dining. Grab a bowl of Jeju pork noodles or stock up on tangerine chocolates before you fly. Free Wi-Fi’s available throughout the terminal to keep you connected. If you need a breather, there’s a designated waiting room and even a small garden area to soak up those last island vibes.
Pets on board
Small cats and dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin on Jeju Air, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier doesn’t exceed 9 kilograms (approximately 20 pounds), and there’s a pet menu for these special guests, too. Adorably, four-legged passengers also receive their own special boarding pass, making this one of my favorite airlines for flying with a small pet.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
