Routes / LOS ANGELES / SEOUL

Los Angeles Seoul

1 nonstop pairs · 6 nonstop airlines · 60 nonstop flights/week

Los Angeles to Seoul Incheon runs 50 nonstop flights a week, all on Korean carriers. Korean Air, Asiana, and Air Premia split the schedule, and all three include meals and a checked bag in economy.

For economy, book Korean Air or Asiana and pick whichever departure time works. Both include meals and free checked bags for the full crossing. Korean Air has the most departures and flies 777s and 747s. Asiana puts an A380 on this route.

If saving a few hundred dollars matters more than schedule flexibility, look at Air Premia. They fly a 787 with a newer cabin layout and wider seats in economy than Korean Air's 747-400. Meals and a checked bag are included. Fewer departures mean less room to rebook if plans shift.

Korean Air rotates several widebody types on this route. On a 777, business class has lie-flat suites with direct aisle access. On a 747-400, the cabin is a generation older, and you will feel it in economy too.

Incheon sits 60 km west of Seoul. The AREX express train covers it in 43 minutes to Seoul Station. Tap a T-money card at the platform, skip the ticket counter. From Seoul Station, the subway connects to every neighborhood in the city.

Have a specific need? Use the decision guide below to filter by your airline, where you live, lounges, or where you're staying in Seoul.

Best Overall
LAX → ICN
2 airlines 60/wk 12h 20m
83% on-time
Asiana Airlines, Korean Air. Also bookable via Aerea, APZ, Tropical Airways, British Mediterranean Airways. Korean Air for reliable daily service with a lie-flat seat on every departure.
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Decision Guide

Pick What Matters to You

Show me the best pair for...

Best pair by where you're coming from

Your location determines which airport is closest and most convenient.
Santa Monica and the Westside Best
The closest neighborhoods to LAX that people actually want to stay in. Lincoln Boulevard south to the airport takes 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour. During the evening rush, the 405 backs up and the drive can double.
Downtown Los Angeles Good
The FlyAway bus runs from Union Station to LAX and avoids freeway traffic entirely. The most predictable ground transfer in the metro area. Driving the 110 to the 105 ranges from 30 minutes to over an hour.
Hollywood and Mid-City
La Brea south to the 105, or surface streets through Inglewood. Thirty to forty-five minutes depending on time of day. No direct transit link to LAX. Rideshare or drive.
The Valley Flexible
Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Studio City. The 405 south through the Sepulveda Pass is the only freeway option and is notoriously slow during rush hour. Budget 60 to 90 minutes from the north Valley.
South Bay and Beach Cities Best
Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach are 15 minutes from the terminals. The South Bay is close enough that the airport is a non-issue. From deeper Orange County, the 405 north runs 45 to 60 minutes.
Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley Flexible
The 210 to the 110 to the 105 is the route, and it takes 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. No good transit option to LAX. Leave early.
For most Los Angeles-area travelers, LAX → ICN is the default.6 airlines, 60 flights/wk.
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Best pair by where you're staying in Seoul

Your Seoul airport matters as much as your Los Angeles airport.
Myeongdong and Jung-gu Best
Central Seoul at its most concentrated. Street food stalls, department stores, Namdaemun Market. Seoul Station is in this district, so the AREX Express drops you close. First-time visitors who want to be in the middle of everything start here.
Hongdae and Mapo Value
The university district west of the center. Cheaper hotels, late-night food, live music, and indie shops. Younger travelers and anyone who wants to eat well without spending much end up here. Hongdae station is a major subway hub with AREX access from Incheon.
Jongno and Insadong Good
The historic core north of Cheonggyecheon stream. Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, traditional tea houses, and craft shops. Quieter at night than Myeongdong. The right base for travelers who came for palace tours and hanbok photos.
Gangnam Tradeoff
South of the Han River, more spread out, more expensive. COEX Mall, upscale dining, K-pop agency headquarters. Hotels skew toward business-class chains. The area suits travelers who want a different pace from the tourist center or who have reasons to be south of the river.
Itaewon and Yongsan Good
The most international neighborhood in Seoul, with English-language menus standard at restaurants and a diverse dining scene. The National Museum of Korea is in Yongsan. The area suits visitors who want familiar comforts alongside Korean food and culture.
ICN is the right Seoul airport for most travelers.Check individual route pages for ground transport from ICN.
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Which pair your airline flies nonstop

Loyalty programs drive airport choice for frequent flyers. Here's where each airline operates.
AirlineLAX–ICN
Asiana Airlines ✓
Aerea ✓
APZ ✓
Tropical Airways ✓
British Mediterranean Airways ✓
Korean Air ✓
Most airlines fly LAX → ICN.0 airlines serve multiple pairs.
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Ranked by on-time performance

On-time = departing within 15 min of schedule. Higher competition tends to keep airlines punctual.
LAX → ICN #1
83% on-time. 6 airlines competing.
LAX → ICN has a 83% on-time record.High competition keeps airlines punctual.
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Lounge access by airport and terminal

Premium lounge access varies dramatically by terminal. This alone can determine airport choice for some travelers.
LAX T4 Flagship Lounge Top Tier
American Airlines Flagship passengers and oneworld Emerald on premium cabin tickets. Sit-down dining, shower suites, and a quieter space than the Admirals Clubs in the same terminal. One of the stronger domestic lounges in the building.
LAX TBIT Oneworld Lounge Good
Inside the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Open to oneworld business and first class passengers. Large footprint with tarmac views, hot food, and bar service. An airside connector from Terminal 4 reaches TBIT without leaving security.
LAX T2/T3 Delta Sky Club Good
Open to Delta One passengers, SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum members, and Amex Platinum cardholders with a same-day Delta boarding pass. Food, drinks, and shower access. Gets crowded during the eastbound red-eye push in the evening.
LAX T7/T8 United Club Good
Standard United Club with food and drinks. Requires United Club membership or Star Alliance Gold status. No Polaris Lounge at LAX, which is a step down from what United offers at Newark or SFO.
LAX T5 (JetBlue)
No lounge. JetBlue does not operate a dedicated lounge at LAX, so Mint passengers board early but have no pre-flight space. Terminal 5 has food options and seating, but nothing behind a door. The one gap in the Mint product .
No Airline Lounges
Burbank does not have airline club lounges. No Admirals Club, no Sky Club, no Centurion. The terminal is small enough that the lounge question does not come up. You clear security, walk to your gate, and the wait is short.
Gate Area
Limited food and coffee past security. A few options on the landside before you clear the checkpoint. The tradeoff for Burbank speed is less to do at the gate, but the wait is usually short enough that it does not matter.
No Lounges Available
Long Beach Airport does not have airline lounges or independent lounge facilities. The terminal is small enough that the absence is painless. A bar and a few restaurants sit past security. Boarding happens quickly at an airport this size.
Limited Lounge Options
Ontario does not have the lounge infrastructure of a major hub. Options are minimal. The terminals have food courts and a few sit-down restaurants past security. For the kind of short, low-stress trips this airport handles well, the gate area is comfortable enough.
SNA Terminal
No airline lounges. No Sky Club, no Admirals Club, no United Club. The terminal has a handful of sit-down restaurants and decent seating, but nothing behind a door. The tradeoff: you spend 20 minutes in the building instead of two hours, so a lounge matters less here than at a larger airport.
Korean Air Prestige Lounge (Terminal 2) Top Tier
SkyTeam Elite Plus and Prestige Class passengers. Spacious, well-maintained, with a noodle bar and shower suites. One of the better airline lounges in Asia.
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) Good
Star Alliance Gold and Business Class. Korean food options, runway views, and enough space that it rarely feels crowded outside peak evening departures.
SkyHub Lounge (Terminal 1) Value
Priority Pass and paid walk-in access. Standard seating with drinks, snacks, and showers. Functional, not luxurious.
Matina Lounge (Terminal 2) Value
Priority Pass accepted. Quieter than the airline lounges during off-peak hours. Korean snacks and a coffee bar. A decent fallback for long layovers.
Your airline and cabin class determine which lounges you can access.Check route pages for terminal assignments.
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Ranked by flights per week

More flights = more flexibility. Miss your flight, catch the next one. Schedule depth is insurance.
LAX → ICN #1
60/wk (~9/day) — 6 airlines.
LAX → ICN: 60 flights/week.9 departures per day.
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Getting to the airport

Cost and time vary by mode. Train is more predictable than driving.
FlyAway Bus to Union Station Best
Runs every 30 minutes from LAX to Union Station for around $10. Travel time ranges from 30 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. Union Station connects to Metro rail, Metrolink commuter trains, and Amtrak. The only real public transit link from LAX until the People Mover opens.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Flexible
Pickup from the LAX-it lot, a dedicated area outside the terminals that adds 10 to 15 minutes of walking and waiting. Fares run around $30 to $60 to most LA destinations, with heavy surge swings during peak hours. Fast when the pricing cooperates, expensive when it does not.
Taxi Good
Metered fares from the curb at every terminal. Expect around $50 to $80 to Hollywood or downtown, more in heavy traffic. Pricing is more predictable than rideshare during surge periods because there is no algorithm involved.
Rental Car Good
Free shuttle from terminals to the consolidated rental car center on Aviation Boulevard. LA is a car city, and most visits beyond a couple of days end up requiring one. If you plan to cover multiple neighborhoods, rent at the airport and skip the daily rideshare math.
Taxi or Rideshare Best
To Hollywood, around 15 minutes and around $15 to $20. To downtown LA, around 25 minutes and around $20 to $30. Rideshare pickup is steps from baggage claim, and the airport drop-off loop is short enough that drivers do not spend ten minutes circling.
Driving and Parking Best
The parking lot sits across the street from the terminal. No shuttle bus, no garage maze, no terminal train. Walk from your car to the check-in counter in under five minutes. Daily rates run lower than LAX garage parking.
Metrolink Good
A Metrolink commuter rail station sits near the terminal. Trains run to Union Station in downtown LA in about 25 minutes. Service follows a commuter schedule, not an all-day frequency, so check departure times before counting on it.
Metro B Line via North Hollywood Flexible
The North Hollywood Metro station is about four miles from the airport. A rideshare from Burbank to the station takes about ten minutes, and the B Line runs to Hollywood, Koreatown, and downtown. Not a direct airport connection, but workable if you are heading to a Metro-served neighborhood.
Rideshare Best
Pickup is outside the terminal on the arrivals level. The airport is compact enough that you are in a car within minutes of walking out. Rides to downtown Long Beach take around 10 minutes. Rides to downtown LA run 30 to 50 minutes depending on freeway traffic.
Long Beach Transit and A Line Value
Local buses connect the airport to downtown Long Beach and the A Line light rail station. The bus ride to the transit mall takes around 15 minutes. From there, the A Line runs north to downtown LA in about an hour. Inexpensive but slow for anything beyond the Long Beach area.
Taxi Good
Taxis queue outside the terminal. Metered fares to downtown Long Beach run around $15. Rideshares are typically cheaper for longer distances.
Rental Car Good
Rental counters are inside the terminal and the lot is a short walk away. No shuttle bus required. One of the easiest rental car pickups at any LA area airport.
Rideshare Best
Pickup is on the arrivals level outside each terminal. Wait times are usually short given the lower passenger volume. Rides to downtown Riverside take around 25 minutes. Rides to downtown LA run 50 to 90 minutes depending on time of day and freeway conditions.
Metrolink (via connecting rideshare) Flexible
Ontario Airport does not have a direct rail station. The nearest Metrolink stops are a short rideshare away. From there, trains run to LA Union Station in around 90 minutes. Slower than driving but useful if you want to skip freeway traffic into the city.
Taxi Good
Taxis are available outside the terminals. Fares to nearby Inland Empire destinations run around $25. Rideshares are typically cheaper for all distances.
Rental Car Good
The rental car center is across the street from the terminals. A short walk gets you there without a shuttle bus. Quick and easy compared to the off-site rental car process at LAX.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Best
Pickup at the curb or a short walk from baggage claim. Fares run around $10 to $20 to Irvine, around $15 to $25 to Anaheim. Quick and simple because the terminal is small and the pickup zone is close.
Rental Car Good
Counters inside the terminal complex. If you are visiting Orange County for more than a day, a car is the default. The 405, 55, and 73 freeways connect SNA to Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Anaheim within 15 to 25 minutes.
Taxi Good
Metered fares from outside baggage claim. Short rides to nearby cities run around $15 to $30. Practical for a quick trip to a hotel in Irvine or Costa Mesa without waiting for rideshare surge to settle.
Hotel Shuttle Value
Many Orange County hotels run complimentary airport shuttles to SNA. Check with your hotel before arranging other transport. The airport is small enough that shuttles pull up right outside the terminal.
Weigh transit time against schedule flexibility.A faster airport with fewer flights may not save you time overall.
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Red-eye vs daytime departures

Departure timing affects jet lag, hotel costs, and how you spend your first day.
Overnight departures from LAX Good
Some LAX-Seoul flights leave late enough to call them red-eyes, but on a 12-hour transpacific crossing, every departure is functionally an overnight flight. You will sleep on the plane no matter when you leave. The practical question is when you want to arrive at Incheon, not when you want to leave LA.
Early-morning arrival at Incheon Best
Landing before dawn means shorter immigration lines and a quiet terminal. The AREX Express runs early enough to catch a first train into Seoul. Hotels typically hold luggage even before check-in, so landing early does not leave you stranded. The first day tends to be easier than expected because you slept on the flight.
LAX → ICN has the most departure options.Check the route page for schedule details.
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Premium cabin options

Business and first class products on this route, ranked by value and quality.
Korean Air on the 747-8 and 777 Top
Korean Air rotates 747-8s, 747-400s, and 777-200LRs on this route. The 747-8 has both first class suites and lie-flat business with direct aisle access. The 777-200LR carries a comparable business cabin. Even the 747-400, the oldest in the rotation, has lie-flat beds. On a 12-hour flight, the aircraft matters: pick the 747-8 departure if the schedule allows.
Asiana on the A380 Top
Asiana flies the A380, the double-decker. Upper-deck business class is quieter and more private than a standard twin-aisle cabin. Lie-flat seats, Korean cuisine on board, and Star Alliance partner mileage earning. The A380 is aging as an aircraft type, but the cabin volume makes even economy feel less compressed than a smaller widebody.
Air Premia 787-9 premium economy Value
Air Premia does not sell business class. Its 787-9 has a premium economy cabin with more legroom than standard economy on Korean Air or Asiana, plus included meals. Fares run hundreds less than the legacy carriers for a comparable departure time. The 787 has lower cabin pressure and larger windows, which helps with fatigue after 12 hours. For anyone not chasing a flat bed, this is the value play on the route.
Check route pages for cabin details per airline.Business class products vary significantly between carriers.
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Connecting through Los Angeles from a domestic flight

Three carriers run nonstop from LAX with departures throughout the day, so a connection does not save money or add convenience. The only reason to connect through Tokyo, Taipei, or another hub is if you want a stopover in a second city or if you are redeeming miles on a carrier without direct LAX-Seoul service. Any connection adds at least four hours and a second airport to the trip.

Arriving LAX Best
Book LAX → ICN. Same airport, no ground transport needed. 6 airlines, 60/wk.
Arriving BUR
BUR has no Seoul nonstops. Your airline may offer a single-ticket connection through a hub. Otherwise, ground transport to a nonstop airport.
Arriving LGB
LGB has no Seoul nonstops. Your airline may offer a single-ticket connection through a hub. Otherwise, ground transport to a nonstop airport.
Arriving ONT
ONT has no Seoul nonstops. Your airline may offer a single-ticket connection through a hub. Otherwise, ground transport to a nonstop airport.
Arriving SNA
SNA has no Seoul nonstops. Your airline may offer a single-ticket connection through a hub. Otherwise, ground transport to a nonstop airport.
Self-connecting
Avoid cross-airport transfers. No direct transit links between most metro airports. Budget 4+ hours minimum if you must.
Check which Los Angeles airport your domestic flight arrives at, then book Seoul from that same airport.LAX arrivals → LAX–ICN
LAX → ICN
Know Your Airports

Los Angeles & Seoul Airport Profiles

Each airport has a personality. Terminal quality, transit access, lounge scene, and crowd levels vary dramatically — sometimes more than the flight itself.

Los Angeles Metro

LAX Los Angeles International Airport Primary

Nine terminals arranged in a horseshoe around a central loop road that crawls during peak hours and stops entirely during evening pushes. Upper level is departures, lower level is arrivals, and the drive between terminals can take 20 minutes even though the physical distance is trivial. Signage works if you already know where you are going and fails if you do not.

Walking between terminals means exiting security and re-entering, which makes airside connections slow and frustrating. The Tom Bradley International Terminal sits at the bend of the horseshoe and handles most international traffic. Terminal age and condition vary widely: some have been renovated in the last few years, others look and feel decades old. An Automated People Mover is under construction to connect the terminals to a new Metro station and a consolidated car rental facility.

Security lines swing unpredictably by terminal and time of day. The evening red-eye push backs up multiple terminals simultaneously. Budget extra time and do not rely on a short queue. Food and retail inside security have improved recently, particularly in the Bradley terminal and the recently refreshed domestic terminals.

Seoul Pairs
1
ICN
Airlines
6
Flights/Week
60
BUR Hollywood Burbank Airport No Nonstop
Closest nonstop airport LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) · 18mi from BUR
Or connect through SFO San Francisco International Ai... · 53/wk onward SEA Seattle–Tacoma International A... · 37/wk onward DFW Dallas Fort Worth Internationa... · 32/wk onward
LGB Long Beach International Airport No Nonstop
Closest nonstop airport LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) · 17mi from LGB
Or connect through HNL Daniel K. Inouye International... · 27/wk onward SLC Salt Lake City International A... · 14/wk onward LAS Harry Reid International Airpo... · 7/wk onward
ONT Ontario International Airport No Nonstop
Closest nonstop airport LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) · 47mi from ONT
Or connect through SFO San Francisco International Ai... · 53/wk onward SEA Seattle–Tacoma International A... · 37/wk onward ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Int... · 35/wk onward
SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport No Nonstop
Closest nonstop airport LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) · 36mi from SNA
Or connect through SFO San Francisco International Ai... · 53/wk onward SEA Seattle–Tacoma International A... · 37/wk onward ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Int... · 35/wk onward

Seoul Metro

ICN Incheon International Airport Primary

Incheon International sits on an island in the Yellow Sea, 55 kilometers west of central Seoul. Two terminals, each the size of a standalone international airport. Terminal 1 is the original building, wide and long, with a central duty-free zone that could pass for a shopping mall. Terminal 2 opened in 2018 [VERIFY] and is newer, quieter, and better designed for connections.

Walking distances in both buildings are significant. Budget 15 minutes from security to far gates. A free shuttle runs between terminals every five minutes, but the ride itself takes 15 minutes. Transfer passengers have access to transit hotels, showers, a spa, and Korean cultural experience centers airside. The airport was designed for connections and it shows.

Los Angeles Pairs
1
LAX
Nonstop from Los Angeles
60/wk
Into Seoul
43 min
AREX Express
GMP Gimpo International Airport No Nonstop

Gimpo handles domestic flights and short-haul international traffic, 15 kilometers from central Seoul. The international terminal is a single compact wing. Security lines are short. The walk from curb to gate takes 10 minutes on a slow day.

Seoul Metro Lines 5 and 9 and the AREX rail line all stop at Gimpo. The combination of direct subway access and short distances inside the terminal makes this the fastest major airport experience in the Seoul metro area. The domestic terminal next door handles the bulk of the traffic. The international side is quieter.

Closest nonstop airport ICN (Incheon International Airport) · 20mi from GMP
Connect through HND Tokyo Haneda International Air... · 161/wk onward PEK Beijing Capital International... · 35/wk onward KIX Kansai International Airport · 84/wk onward
All Pairs

Full Comparison

Every airport combination ranked by schedule depth. LAX–ICN carries 100% of weekly flights with the best on-time record.

RouteAirlinesFlights/WkShareDurationOTP
LAX → ICN 2 60
12h 20m 83% Explore →
Coverage Matrix

Which Airlines Fly Which Pairs

Not all planes are the same size. The aircraft type below each checkmark tells you whether you are getting a widebody (777, 787, A350) with wider seats and a quieter ride, or a narrowbody (737, A321) with a single aisle. On flights over five hours, the difference is significant.

LAX–ICN
Korean Air
✓
747-400, 747-8
Asiana Airlines
✓
A380
APZ (codeshare)
✓
787-9
British Mediterranean Airways (codeshare)
✓
747-400
Tropical Airways (codeshare)
✓
A330-200
Aerea (codeshare)
✓
787-9
Quick Reference

Route Facts

Total Nonstops
60/wk
Across 1 pairs
Airlines
6
6 on LAX–ICN
Fastest Pair
12h 20m
LAX → ICN
Distance
5,963 mi
9,594 km
Los Angeles
5 airports
LAX, BUR, LGB, ONT, SNA
Seoul
2 airports
GMP, ICN
Best OTP
83%
LAX → ICN
No Nonstop
BUR, LGB, ONT, SNA
No Seoul nonstops
LAX → ICN LAX Routes BUR Routes LAX Delays BUR Delays
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Los Angeles to Seoul flights.
No. Gimpo has almost no long-haul service from the US. You will land at Incheon. The AREX Express connects Incheon to Seoul Station in around 43 minutes, and from Seoul Station the subway reaches every district. Gimpo being closer to downtown does not help if no flight takes you there.
The AREX Express train to Seoul Station takes around 43 minutes and is the fastest option. All-stop AREX trains take longer but serve more stations along the way. Airport limousine buses run to specific neighborhoods and drop you closer to your hotel without a subway transfer. Taxis and rideshares cost more and take longer in traffic but go door to door.
Air Premia is a Korean hybrid carrier flying 787-9 Dreamliners with a focus on premium economy at lower fares. Meals are included, legroom is generous, and the aircraft is newer than much of the competition. You give up lie-flat business class, lounge access, and alliance frequent flyer earning. For leisure travelers who want comfort without paying for a full-service business seat, it fills a useful middle ground.
The flight is around 12 to 13 hours westbound and roughly 10 to 11 hours on the return with favorable winds. A midday departure from LAX lands at Incheon the following evening. Flying back, you can leave Seoul in the morning and land at LAX the same morning, which makes the return feel shorter. Plan for immigration and transit to your hotel to add one to two hours after landing at Incheon.
Late March through May and September through November tend to have the lowest fares. Summer peaks when schools let out, and Korean holidays like Chuseok push prices up in early fall. Air Premia consistently undercuts Korean Air and Asiana if you have date flexibility. Booking a couple of months ahead helps on this route.
Rarely. Three nonstop carriers compete on price from LAX, which keeps fares lower than on many transpacific routes. A connection through Tokyo, Taipei, or another hub adds four or more hours. The savings, if any, are small. Connections make sense only if you want a stopover in a second city or if you are redeeming miles through a carrier that does not fly LAX to Incheon directly.