Back in May 2022, there was an interesting post-COVID addition to the Singapore – South Korea travel market, with relatively unknown low-cost carrier T’way Air seizing the opportunity created by the latest border relaxations, by introducing twice weekly non-stop flights linking the Lion City with Seoul.

This marked the airline’s debut at Changi Airport, making more headlines than usual since it also represented a departure from T’way’s traditional all-Economy Class, short-haul model. For these flights, T’way Air deploys former Thai AirAsia X Airbus A330s, which also feature a Business Class cabin with flat-bed seats.

Services on the route quickly expanded to three times weekly, then five times weekly, and finally to daily within only two months of the original launch.

Now the South Korean carrier is doubling down on its Singapore – Seoul route, and with the same wide-body jets in use that means twice as many ‘budget’ flat-bed Business Class seats will be up for grabs each day on the popular city pair.

T’way doubling Singapore – Seoul flights

From 1st December 2024, T’way air is adding a second daily flight between Singapore and Seoul using Airbus A330-300 aircraft, which will double its capacity from 2,429 seats per week in each direction to 4,858 seats per week.

Here’s how the schedule looks, with the new flights highlighted

T’way Air
Singapore ⇄ Seoul
From 1st December 2024

			Days
			M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	TW172 A330-300
SIN 02:30		ICN 09:50
	TW174 A330-300
SIN 23:30		ICN 06:35*
	TW173 A330-300
ICN 15:30		SIN 21:25
	TW171 A330-300
ICN 18:50		SIN 01:00*

* Next day

In the Singapore – Seoul direction T’way’s new flight TW174 offers a slightly earlier 11.30pm departure than the relatively unattractive existing flight that goes wheels-up at 2.30am, but a daytime flight would certainly have been nicer.

In the Seoul – Singapore direction, a new 3.30pm departure on TW173 is well timed to allow you to maximise your last morning, check out of your hotel, then head to the airport – while still landing into Changi at a more civilised 9.25pm (the existing TW171 flight touches down at 1am!).

Schedules are currently loaded to the end of March 2025, so it remains to be seen whether the airline will continue to operate this route twice daily into the northern summer season.

Flat-bed Business Class

The interesting thing about these T’way flights is that in the A330’s two-row Business Class cabin the carrier offers 12 seats that convert to angle-flat beds in a 2-2-2 configuration.

That makes it the only budget airline offering flat-bed Business Class on the lucrative Singapore – Seoul route.

In bed mode the seats recline to a 165-degree angle – almost flat but not quite!

Still this is a very nice option when flying on a low-cost carrier, with T’way offering these seats from S$755 plus taxes and fuel surcharges one-way from Singapore to Seoul (S$870 total), or from S$879 one-way from Seoul to Singapore (S$929 including taxes and fees).

Business Class fares on T’way include a 32kg checked baggage allowance, plus 20kg carry-on baggage, and one complimentary meal.

T’way does not offer lounge access for passengers departing in Business Class, so you’ll have to rely on a Priority Pass visit or paid access to one of the available third-party lounges, for a more complete experience.

The airline uses Terminal 3 at Changi Airport, so 24-hour options include the SATS Premier Lounge and the Ambassador Transit Lounge.

You may actually recognise T’way’s Business Class seats already. That’s because the airline’s trio of A330-300s were inherited from Thai Air Asia X.

While the cabins have had a refresh, including new leather upholstery, the seats themselves are effectively identical.

In Economy Class, T’way A330s have a standard 2-4-2 configuration, which makes them a decent option for couples who can snag the window pairs.

Round-trip Economy Class fares from Singapore to Seoul on T’way start at S$555 in January 2025, a good discount compared to other airlines.

Discounts for Singapore customers

As highlighted earlier this week by Suitesmile, T’way Air is currently offering discount coupons worth S$50 off its Business Class or S$30 off its Economy Class fares originating in Singapore.

  T’way Air Coupon Book

This can help to further reduce the airline’s already-competitive fares during off-peak periods, so do try to use one of these when you book.

Singapore – Seoul route to hit 80 flights per week

In December 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, three airlines operated 56 weekly non-stop flights between Singapore and Seoul.

Based on schedules in the first week of December 2024, there will be 80 weekly non-stop flights on this route, operated by five airlines, a record total.

• Asiana: 14/wk
• Korean Air: 21/wk
• Scoot: 3/wk
• Singapore Airlines: 28/wk
• T’way Air: 14/wk

Elsewhere in South Korea, Busan is served daily by Jeju Air and four times weekly by Singapore Airlines, while Scoot also operates five times weekly to and from Jeju.

K-ETA suspended for Singaporeans till 31st December 2024

Back in April 2023, South Korea announced a temporary reprieve for Singapore citizens and those holding 21 other nationalities from the requirement to complete a K-ETA in advance of travel.

This saves travellers around S$10 each on a South Korea trip, plus the hassle of actually completing the application in advance for each family member.

The waiver remains in force for those arriving in South Korea on or before 31st December 2024, so there are still a few weeks to take advantage – with more trip simplicity and a cost saving.

Unfortunately, if you are arriving from 1st January 2025 onwards, the K-ETA application requirement is back in force for all visa-free arrivals, including Singapore nationals.

T’way’s Business Class seat isn’t groundbreaking by any means, but it’s rare to see flat-bed products offered by low-cost carriers (even these angle-flat ones that recline to 165-degrees).

The goods news for those willing to forgo the ‘frills’ of a Business Class experience, but who still want additional space and flat-bed comfort, is that the carrier is doubling down on its Singapore – Seoul flights from next month.

It’s certainly a step up from Economy Class or the likes of ‘ScootPlus’ if you’re keen to get some sleep on the six-hour flights to or from Seoul, provided you don’t expect fine champagne or plush lounges!

The new flights have a slightly earlier timing than existing services, which provide an additional option for those travelling on a budget, while capacity from other airlines has also increased significantly to higher than pre-COVID levels.

(Cover Photo: T’way Air)