Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

It's looking like my husband is going to be able to get off for Christmas through new year's (about 10 work days). (He's a public school teacher, I'm at home with a baby). We've been in Korea for two Christmases and want to go home this time so that our baby can spend her first Christmas with family. We are looking to fly into Victoria or Vancouver (my parents are on Vancouver Island) and would even do Seattle. But looking online flights are more expensive than I've ever seen them! I realize it's the holiday season, but still! We were hoping for Korean Air or Asiana, but tickets are about $1800 each after taxes, and the more budget airlines (crappy United, Air Canada, various Chinese airlines) aren't even that much cheaper.

Blah. Any tips on where to find cheaper tickets? I realize it may not be possible, but have to try...

[warmachinenkorea]

Go to Kayak.com

I found ICN to Vancouver Dec. 23-Jan 4 for less than a $1000.

But the return flight has a miserable 16 hr layover in Bejing.

Good luck.

[taobenli]

Yeah...I think I did see that one. But I can't handle 16 hours in Beijing airport with a 4-month old baby...grr...is it too much to ask to find something between that (less than $1000) and $1800, a Korean air or Asiana flight with one stop perhaps, for about $1200.

I hate booking travel nowadays. I remember a round-trip ticket between Seattle and Beijing for less than US $500 in 2000. Those days will never come again...

[taobenli]

Actually I found one on Air China that doesn't have such a bad layover on the way back- a little over 3 hours. But on the way there the connection is only 1 hour and 45 minutes- is that enough time to make the connecting flight? I heard somewhere that in Beijing you have to go through customs and immigration even if you're just connecting?

I might jump on this flight because the price is right. But I'm wary of Air China (not for the safety, but the customer service our first time flying with a baby).

[oldtactics]

You don't have to go through security again if you don't want to - there's a transfer lounge but it's literally just a big room with chairs, nothing else. An hour 45 is enough time to leave the secure area and get back in, it's a much easier process than at US airports.

[taobenli]

Sucked it up and paid $1500 for nonstop on Asiana. Normally would have gone for the cheaper option despite the inconvenience of layovers, but this is our first time to travel with a baby and we're flying on Christmas Eve, and it would be sad if any delays or problems with connections caused us to be late. May be the most I've ever paid for airline tickets, though!