Heightened sanitation
Daily cleaning, installation of cabin HEPA filters on flights from Lubbock to South Korea
Entry restrictions
South Korea has restricted the entry of all travelers who have been in the Hubei Province of China in the past 14 days. Chinese nationals with passports issued in the Hubei Province are also not allowed to enter the country. Korean visas issued by the Wuhan Consulate in the Hubei Province are invalidated. Nationals of China and travelers arriving from China must have visas to transit through South Korea.
Travelers arriving from China with a diplomatic, consular, official, service or special passport or who are nationals of Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Ireland, South Korea, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Palau, San Marino, Slovenia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Vatican City and Venezuela may still transit through South Korea without a visa.
South Korea has suspended visa exemptions for nationals of Japan, passengers with Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao passports.
Short-term visas (type C-1 and C-3) issued on or before April 5 are invalidated. Visa exemptions for 90 nationalities with normal passport are temporarily suspended, except for airline crew or passengers with an APEC Business Travel Card. Travelers with a visa on an expired passport must present a printed "Visa Grant Notice" and the expired passport to the immigration upon arrival.
Until January 7, direct flights from the UK are temporarily suspended.
Entry requirements
All travelers, including Korean nationals, must present a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of their departure. Arriving passengers must submit the PCR test result on an original form issued by the testing center in the country of origin (in the English or Korean language) to quarantine authorities.
Merchant seamen with a visa must have a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 48 hours before departure. The certificate must be in English and the passengers must have two copies of the certificate.
All flights must arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) between 5:00 am and 8:00 pm.
From December 10, short-term visitors must provide passport information to lodging facility owners, who must forward it to the Ministry of Justice. Failure to comply could result in a fine of 500,000 won (approximately $500). More information is available on hikorea.go.kr
Quarantine requirements
All arriving passengers are required to download and respond to daily questions via a Self-Diagnosis Mobile App for 14 days.
Travelers, including Korean nationals without a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of their departure, are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a government-designated facility, at their own expense. The nightly cost at these facilities could range from $100 to $150 USD per night (approximately $1,400-$2,100 USD total). Travelers that fall into this category will be required to sign a release form agreeing to these conditions prior to boarding a plane. Travelers who refuse to sign the form will be denied boarding. In some cases, Korean authorities have permitted immediate blood relatives or spouses of long-term residents to self-quarantine at their family’s home. For this, travelers would need to provide proof of relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificate), and should understand that Korean immigration officials have the final authority to approve quarantine arrangements.
Travelers who are long-term or residential visa holders are required to self-quarantine at their own residences and must undergo a COVID test within 3 days. All travelers who exhibit symptoms will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing on arrival at the airport and may be subject to additional procedures.
Chinese nationals who are traveling on business under the Fast Lane program and their family members are exempt from the quarantine requirements; however, they must self-monitor their health conditions for at least 14 days before departure and must hold a medical certification of a negative COVID-19 testing result issued within 72 hours before departure. They will receive an additional test upon arrival, after which they must stay at a designated quarantine facility for up to 1-2 days until receiving the result. Once receiving a negative test result, they will be allowed to end their quarantine.
Transiting rules
Nationals of Egypt, Mongolia, Russia, Sudan, Thailand and Yemen are restricted from transiting through South Korea on their way to or from those countries.
Most travelers transiting through Korean airports (who do not pass through immigration) have no quarantine requirement for stays less than 24 hours. However, transit passengers may need to undergo temperature checks or fill out health questionnaires. Transit passengers should confirm entry requirements at their onward destination. Symptomatic individuals will be subject to a COVID-19 test and hospitalization if found positive. Passengers who do not show symptoms and/or test negative may continue their journey. Please note, there are no COVID testing facilities available in airport transit areas.
Travelers should confirm with the airline(s) before departure that their bags have been checked through to their final destination (as transit passengers are not able to collect and re-check in baggage on arrival in Incheon Airport).
Please see our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Restrictions page for more information on restrictions worldwide.
KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to South Korea.
KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to South Korea is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.
Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to South Korea with an airline and back with another airline.
Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to South Korea up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.
Scores according to KAYAK customer reviews
Cons: "Not a lot other than better choice of movies and music. Super airline as always"
Pros: "No WiFi in most of the flight duration"
Pros: "Crew was amazing."
Cons: "I had a problem with the seat cushion. Not comfy enough."
Pros: "Crew was wonderful. Entertainment very good."
Pros: "Crew was very friendly"
Cons: "Seats for its along way"
Cons: "Quatar is the best"
Cons: "I didn't like that my Amex was used fraudulently to purchase 3 tickets to a place I would never visit with Ahmed and Mohammed and respectfully request, while I am disputing this with Amex that you credit me the 3 tickets purchased. Thanks!"
Pros: "Air craft"
Pros: "Service was fantastic as usual for me however it seems women are not treated equally service wise as wife on all 4 legs did not get all the things i was afforded. Lighting, pajamas, bed mattress, meal choice queries etc"
Cons: "The need to pull out boarding passes multiple times-like 6 times- and having to be screened Twice. To even buy some mouthwash i had to show boarding passes. Ridiculous"
Cons: "It was too cold in the plane."
Pros: "The crew was very sweet and very helpful, especially to kids who were constantly thirsty or hungry."
Cons: "We were supposed to take the flight 8 hours earlier. I’m not sure flight with such short connections should be sold at all - with the previous flight being late 20 minutes, we were met at arrival gate by Qatar airlines employee that told us our connecting flight left without us. They helped us with everything onward- getting new boarding passses, hotel and meal vouchers, but all of this should not have been needed if such short connections were not sold."
Pros: "Snacks and the crews on board"
Cons: "The crews in the airport, not friendly. They dont even smile!"
Pros: "Entertainment is very good"
Cons: "boarding hall was very small, food was below average for Qatar Airways"
Pros: "Went out of their way to be helpful"
Pros: "Just that the food is quite small but the variety is OK."
Pros: "The crew were excellent."
Cons: "There is nothing I didnt like"
Pros: "Like before,Awesome experience provided by inflight crew, who attended to all your needs for this 4 hour long flight Made us feel really at home!"
Pros: "It was on time."
Cons: "The food sucked."
Pros: "Food was good. Quick response to call"
Cons: "Toilet wasnt clean enough. Not offered water regularly"
Pros: "I was surprised with the quality of gluten free meals served for me, it was well organised and taken care of where I never had to wait. My flight schedules were changed few days before departure by Qatar Airways, but only thing I had to do was to confirm that I have noted, my seats and all the rest of details intact, excellent."
Cons: "I was not given any option regarding the change of my departure flight from Colombo. Originally it was scheduled for 13th 3.25AM and it was brought forward to 12th night 20.20. This caused inconvenience to me and my family to wait 7 hours for the connecting flight to Johannesburg from Doha. When the flight is changed by airline for their convenience, they would have given preferential treatment to the passengers involved. We had to bare the cost of food and make us comfortable on our own due to the delay in transit."
Pros: "Doha to hyd was good. Crew was courteous."
Cons: "Even after online checkin. Just to drop the bags it took 1 hr. The thin old black lady at the baggage drop off counter was very partial in treating people. She allowed a black male take 27.8 kgs but asked us to adjust our bags when we had 23 kgs. Also if the passenger is allowed to carry a laptop bag, according to her training and theory she only knows 1 shape and does not recognize a back pack which has only the laptop. I travelled several times in Qatar, but never had this kind of experience."
Cons: "More veriaty on music would be good"
Pros: "Service was on point. The crew was very helpful."
Pros: "Everything was excellent no complaints rated 10"
Cons: "I really enjoyed myself the flight and all I would recommend my friends to fly anytime rated 10"
Pros: "I was really impressed by how nice caring and wonderful were the flight attendants!!! Excellent service!!! Great food!!!"
Pros: "طيران ممتاز"
Pros: "Once staff were aware that my child was sick one staff member in particular regularly checked on the well being of my child."
Cons: "Crew only helpful when pushed to help. My child was sick and the cabin crew tried to give me food. I said that my child had just vomited but there was no offer to help me clear it up they just continued serving food to other passengers. I had to search for someone to help me to clear up and then I felt as though I was an inconvenience. I then had to look for someone to bring food for myself and other child. My other child is 1yr and 11 months and I was told they were only allowed baby food not a child meal. Although there were a few spare seats on the plane I was squashed into a full row with a 3 yr old and one year old on my lap. I appreciate that there may not have been any bassinet seats left but would have been helpful not to be on a full row as a single adult travelling with two small children. No offers for assistance with bags."
Pros: "Crew were helpful and not interefering in long flight"
Cons: "Flight from Qatar to Seoul was quite old I believe. USB on my chair did not work and media in LCD screens were not new enough. seats were quite old and not convenient for 10 hours flight."
Cons: "Leg space in economic class is too less. No options in vegetarian food. They don't give you what you want."
Cons: "The process of checking in is difficult because qatar codes are different from asiana, therefore I couldn't do an online check in."
Pros: "on my flight from bkk to Doha all the flight attendants were very helpful. One in particular with the name Mary Jane, was very helpful and she stood out among the rest. Thank you for your kindness and help when I couldn't eat some of the foods on board. Whom can I write an email to so that I can be sure that she gets noticed for her work? Thank you"
Cons: "Good"
Pros: "Could not be more impressed with the airline, absolutely would recommend to anyone!"
Cons: "My screen was not working."
Pros: "First of all, I want to preface this by saying that virtually every airline is better than the major ones working in the US (American, United, and Delta), and Qatar Airways is amongst this number. The entertainment selection was excellent, the best of any flight I've ever been on. The flight attendants were excellent, again, much better than those on American carriers (I am American, FYI)."
Cons: "The food was terrible. Of course, we know this about airline food, BUT I have been on Qatar Airways flights with GOOD food in the past, so I know it can be better. Also, I sat in the baby section, which also happens to be where they put long-legged people. This is no one's fault, but suffice to say, do NOT sit next to 4 5-month olds for a 15-hr flight! Interestingly, since all flight attendants were women, about 50% of the flight did listen to them since there were many conservative Arabs onboard from Qatar or Saudi Arabia (i.e., those who are taught not to listen to or respect women). This made for some frustrating sites to witness but it's obviously not the airline's fault. Poor women!"
Pros: "Good crew. Nice plane and amenities."
Cons: "Flight to was canceled due to engine issues. Flight home was canceled due to scheduling error. Issue resolved at check in, but caused stress."
Pros: "Seating"
Cons: "Food"
Cons: "Seats in economy very uncomfortable for long Doha to LAX flight. When person in front of us reclines seat for entire flight, it is almost impossible to get out to stretch legs or go to restroom. At the minimum, crew should ask all passengers to raise seats during meal service as a courtesy to those behind them. This is done on other airlines."
Pros: "It was just am awesome experience. By God's grace we had a safe trip and God helped us. Interestingly, Qatar airways is quite excellent and commendable in their professional disposition."
Pros: "The hospitality of the crew in both flights from Atlanta to Doha and from Doha to Chennai"
Cons: "The seats were not that comfortable for a long flight and i had a very disturbed sleep"
Pros: "Except turbulences everything was ok and nice .."
Pros: "Everything was great!!! Stewardess were very attentive and helpful. Food was good. Enjoyed the movies on plane. The comfort was excellent."
Cons: "Can't think of anything I didn't like but maybe that I wasn't in Business Class. Just joking!!!"
Pros: "Everything"
Pros: "Food is palatable. Crew are acommodating"
Cons: "Many of the films have no English subtitle"
Pros: "Price and schedule"
Cons: "Food. Waiting place at Qatar airport. Arabian crew on board due to their non- friendly attitude."
Pros: "This plane had lots of room and was comfortable. The food was good and unexpected. The amenities provided was thoughtful and useful."
Pros: "Better crew members"
Cons: "Seats and food.. This should be the last travel with Qatar airways."
Pros: "The plan really comfortable evreything was great"
Airlines flying from Lubbock to South Korea have enacted additional safety measures and adjusted policies to better accommodate travelers. Policies vary by airline.
Heightened sanitation
Daily cleaning, installation of cabin HEPA filters on flights from Lubbock to South Korea
Mandatory masks
Masks required on board, masks provided on flights from Lubbock to South Korea
Social distancing seating
Middle seats unavailable to book on flights from Lubbock to South Korea
Pre-flight testing
Testing for antibodies, testing for symptoms for flights from Lubbock to South Korea
Flexible cancellations
Waiving of change fees. Search flexible flights from Lubbock to South Korea