(EASTARJET) EastarJet will add a third daily round-trip between Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita starting November 16, 2025, increasing capacity and giving travelers more choices on one of Northeast Asia’s busiest international corridors. The update for the Northern Winter 2025/26 season appears in industry schedules and was confirmed in airline databases as of August 25, 2025, reflecting strong demand and tight competition on the route.
From mid-November, EastarJet plans to operate three daily flights each way using Boeing 737-800 or 737-8 aircraft in an all-economy, 189-seat layout. This move follows earlier adjustments in 2025 and aligns with a broader rebound in Korea–Japan travel. With Seoul Incheon a major hub and Tokyo Narita a key gateway, the extra frequency should help both business travelers and holidaymakers find seats and match preferred departure times.
Schedule details
The updated schedule shows three departures from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita and three returns from Tokyo Narita to Seoul Incheon each day, with small timing shifts depending on weekday:
- ICN → NRT:
- ZE605/TW605: Departs 07:15; arrives 09:45 on Friday and 10:10 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- ZE601/TW601: Departs 08:40; arrives 10:55 (daily).
- ZE603/TW603: Departs 15:20; arrives 18:00 (daily).
- NRT → ICN:
- ZE606/TW606: Departs 10:55 on Friday and 11:20 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday; arrives 14:15 (daily).
- ZE602/TW602: Departs 11:50; arrives 14:30 (daily).
- ZE604/TW604: Departs 19:00; arrives 21:35 (daily).
Minor weekday variations apply across the first morning pair. For most travelers, this spread—early morning, mid-morning, and late afternoon from Seoul; late morning, midday, and evening from Tokyo—creates better options for meetings, same-day returns, and smoother onward connections at both airports. It also eases pressure on peak flights that often sell out.
Important: The three-daily pattern starts November 16, 2025. Small time changes by weekday may occur, particularly on the first morning pair.
Aircraft and cabin configuration
EastarJet will use Boeing 737-800/737-8 jets for the service. Key points:
– Seating: All-economy, 189 seats—aimed primarily at price-sensitive leisure traffic.
– Operational benefits: Efficient narrowbodies help keep costs and turnaround times low.
– Service focus: Point-to-point, no-frills operation that targets high-frequency demand windows.
Timings are designed to support common traveler needs on the ICN–NRT corridor:
– Early departures from Seoul enable morning arrivals in Tokyo for same-day plans or onward domestic hops.
– The late return from Narita suits travelers who want a full day before flying back to Korea.
– Midafternoon and late-evening arrivals into ICN connect with many regional evening waves.
The carrier’s flight numbers appear as ZE/TW across the schedule. While labels vary by day and pairing, the operational pattern remains: three daily in each direction starting November 16, 2025.
Market and traveler impact
The Seoul Incheon–Tokyo Narita market is highly competitive. Full-service and low-cost carriers from both countries compete on price and schedule, and other global carriers also influence fares and availability.
Benefits of EastarJet’s added frequency:
– More seats can increase chances of finding lower fares and avoid last-seat premiums.
– Extra capacity across the week may pressurize prices downward in the low-cost segment, according to analysis by VisaVerge.com.
– On peak days (Fridays and Sundays), the third daily option can reduce congestion and make rebooking easier during disruptions.
– Improved onward connections at both ICN and NRT—morning arrivals in Tokyo support domestic transfers; midafternoon/evening arrivals in Seoul align with further Asian departures.
Booking and contact:
– Seats are available via EastarJet’s website and major travel agencies.
– Standard booking process: choose dates/flights → enter passenger details → pick extras (baggage/seat) → pay.
– Manage bookings via the airline’s site and call centers.
– Customer Service (Korea): +82-1544-0080
– Customer Service (Japan): +81-3-6262-7771
– Website: https://www.eastarjet.com
For official entry and stay requirements for Japan, check the Japan Immigration Services Agency: https://www.isa.go.jp/en/index.html
Recent history and outlook
EastarJet temporarily cut services to two daily flights in March 2025 during operational adjustments. The company previously signaled plans to reach four daily flights from October 27, 2024, but for Winter 2025/26 it is holding at three daily rotations.
Analysts view the decision as a measured ramp-up that balances cost, crew, and aircraft availability against steady demand. Key considerations:
– Competition remains intense across Korea–Japan routes; additional frequency helps defend and grow market share.
– The 737-800/737-8 are well-suited to the 2–3 hour sector, offering good fuel efficiency and fast turnarounds—helpful for maintaining low fares without reducing frequency.
– EastarJet is also expanding its Japan network (more flights to Osaka and Fukuoka, and potential new routes like Tokushima).
No further changes are set for winter, but the airline could add more ICN–NRT capacity if demand continues to climb.
Practical takeaways for travelers
- More morning and afternoon choices from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita starting November 16, 2025.
- Three daily returns from Tokyo Narita to Seoul Incheon, including an evening option that suits full-day stays.
- Single-class, 189-seat configuration focused on price and simplicity.
- Wider booking windows and more seats during busy weeks—beneficial for families, students, and small businesses.
- The spread of departure/arrival times reduces the risk of long layovers and gives flexibility when meetings run late.
Reminder: As winter 2025/26 approaches, keep an eye on airline notices for small weekday-dependent time changes. Seats are on sale now, and booking early often secures better prices and preferred times.
EastarJet’s decision adds capacity to a busy lane and signals confidence in Korea–Japan travel recovery: more flights, more seats, and more ways to plan the day—while preserving the low fares that made this route popular.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting November 16, 2025, EastarJet will operate three daily round-trips between Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita using 189-seat Boeing 737s, improving schedule options and capacity on the busy Korea–Japan corridor. Confirmed August 25, 2025.
