Overview
Jeju Air, South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, has a missed flight policy governed by its Conditions of Carriage, fare rules, ticket type, EU/UK Regulation 261/2004 for flights to/from the EU/UK, U.S. DOT regulations for flights to/from the U.S., and South Korea’s aviation regulations. This policy outlines options for passengers who fail to board their scheduled flight due to personal reasons, airline-related delays, or other circumstances. Note that following the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport, the airline’s operations and customer service processes may face delays or changes, potentially affecting policy implementation.
Key Policy Details
- No-Show Policy: If you fail to check in by the deadline (30 minutes before departure for domestic flights, 1 hour 30 minutes for international flights, or 40-150 minutes depending on the airport) or arrive at the boarding gate (15-20 minutes before departure), you are considered a "no-show." For non-refundable tickets (e.g., Fly, Fly Bag), the ticket value is forfeited, and the entire itinerary, including return or connecting flights, is canceled as tickets must be used in sequence. A no-show fee (e.g., $30-$120 USD or KRW 30,000-120,000, depending on fare type and route) may apply per segment. Notify Jeju Air before departure via the website, mobile app, or airport counter to preserve ticket value as a credit (valid for one year). Unused taxes and fees are refundable, less an administrative fee (e.g., $20-$30 USD).
- Non-Refundable Tickets: No cash refunds are provided for missed flights on non-refundable tickets (e.g., Fly, Fly Bag). Rebooking is possible, subject to availability, change fees ($30-$100 USD or KRW 10,000-100,000, depending on fare type, route, and timing), and fare differences. Changes must be made via the Manage Booking section, airport counters, or the original booking channel. If the same fare is unavailable, a higher fare applies with no refund for lower fares. Promotional or discounted fares may not allow changes.
- Refundable Tickets: Refundable tickets (e.g., Flex, Biz Lite) can be refunded for the unused portion, less a service fee (e.g., $20-$50 USD), if requested within one year from issuance or 30 days after ticket validity expires. Refunds are processed to the original payment method or as vouchers, typically within 7-10 business days for domestic flights and up to 20 days for international flights, through the original purchase channel.
- 24-Hour Cancellation Policy: For tickets purchased directly from Jeju Air (via jejuair.net or the mobile app), you can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is at least 7 days away. This applies to Fly Bag, Flex, and Biz Lite fares but excludes discounted, promotional, group, or infant bookings. Cancellations must be requested via the My Booking section. Tickets purchased through travel agencies may not qualify.
- Missed Connections Due to Delays: If you miss a connecting flight due to a delay or cancellation of a Jeju Air-operated flight within the same booking, the airline will rebook you on the next available flight at no cost, prioritizing minimal delay. If the delay exceeds 3 hours at your final destination and is within Jeju Air’s control (e.g., technical issues), you may be eligible for compensation: €250 for flights up to 1500 km, €400 for 1500-3500 km, or €600 for over 3500 km under EU/UK 261, or up to $650 USD under U.S. DOT rules. For delays of 2+ hours (short-haul) or 4+ hours (long-haul), meals, refreshments, and communication access are provided; for overnight delays, hotel accommodation and transportation may be offered, subject to availability. Retain receipts for reimbursement if vouchers are unavailable.
- Extraordinary Circumstances: No compensation is provided for missed flights due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control, or security issues). Jeju Air will assist with rebooking or refunding unused taxes and fees, less an administrative fee. If weather prevents travel, passengers may receive a refund or reschedule without penalty, as seen in cases where flights were canceled due to bad weather and rebooked the next day for free.
- Denied Boarding: If you miss a flight due to overbooking and checked in on time, Jeju Air will seek volunteers first, then rebook you on the next available flight (including partner airlines) and may provide compensation (€250-€600 under EU/UK 261 or $200-$650 USD under U.S. DOT rules, depending on delay duration). Volunteers receive agreed-upon compensation, typically a travel voucher. Meals or refreshments are provided while waiting.
- Special Circumstances: For missed flights due to serious illness or death of a close family member, Jeju Air may waive fees or offer refunds with valid documentation (e.g., medical certificate, death certificate) submitted via the Customer Care form. Approval is reviewed case-by-case.
Steps to Take if You Miss Your Flight
- Contact Jeju Air immediately via the website (My Booking section), mobile app, or airport ticket counter before departure to cancel or reschedule to avoid no-show fees and preserve ticket value as a credit (valid for one year). Provide your booking reference (e.g., six-letter code like ABC123).
- Explain the reason for missing the flight to determine eligibility for rebooking, refunds, or fee waivers. For special circumstances, submit documentation via the Customer Care form.
- Check your ticket’s fare rules in the My Booking section to understand applicable fees, restrictions, or refund eligibility. Changes can be made up to 120 minutes before departure; after departure, only refunds are possible for eligible tickets.
- Submit compensation or refund claims via the Customer Care form, including your name, booking reference, and supporting documents (e.g., boarding passes, receipts, medical certificates). Refunds take 7-10 business days for credit card payments or up to 20 days for other methods; claims are acknowledged within 30 days.
- Keep all documentation for claims or expense reimbursements. Report baggage issues within 7 days for damage or 21 days for delays.
- Check travel insurance policies for coverage of missed flights due to valid reasons (e.g., illness, accidents).
Note: Policies vary based on ticket type (Fly, Fly Bag, Fly Bag+, Flex, Biz Lite), fare rules, and booking channel (direct or through a travel agency). For codeshare flights, the operating carrier’s rules may apply. Always review fare conditions at booking, arrive early (2 hours for domestic, 3 hours for international flights), and use the Jeju Air app for real-time updates. Check-in closes 30 minutes (domestic) or 1 hour 30 minutes (international) before departure; boarding gates close 15-20 minutes prior, depending on the airport. Customer reviews highlight challenges with English-language support, website/app functionality, and refund processing, particularly for non-Korean speakers, so consider booking through third-party platforms like Trip.com for better support. Following the December 2024 Muan crash, expect potential delays in customer service responses due to increased scrutiny and operational adjustments.
Additional Information
If Jeju Air cancels or delays your flight by 3+ hours (domestic) or 6+ hours (international), you may choose a refund, rebooking, or compensation, depending on the circumstances. For cancellations within 14 days of departure, EU/UK 261 may entitle you to €250-€600 based on flight distance, unless an alternative flight avoids significant delay. Refunds for canceled flights are processed within 7-14 days for credit card payments or 20 days for other methods. Compensation claims for EU/UK flights can be filed up to 3 years after the flight. Retain all receipts for expenses (e.g., hotels, meals) and submit claims within 21 days for delays or 7 days for baggage issues. For unresolved claims, consider third-party services like FlightRefunder or AirHelp. For more details, review Jeju Air’s Conditions of Carriage or Refund Policy.