Pivot To Seoul: How Jetstar Shifted Focus As Hawaii Flights End

Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar is dramatically reshaping its international network in mid‑2025—dropping its long-running direct route to Hawaii, increasing capacity into Asia, and becoming the top carrier between Australia and South Korea.

Farewell to Hawaii Flights

In a strategic shift, Jetstar confirmed it will terminate its Sydney–Honolulu service on 24 October 2025, ending nearly two decades of low-cost access to Hawaii. The Melbourne–Honolulu route had already been scrapped in April, marking the carrier’s full exit from the U.S. market.

With Qantas stepping in to maintain Honolulu connections—offering its own Sydney and Melbourne services—Jetstar can reassign its Boeing 787 Dreamliners toward more profitable routes in Asia.

Doubling Down on Seoul & Asian Expansion

Jetstar is rapidly increasing flights between Australia and Seoul:

• Sydney–Seoul: Going from four weekly return flights to daily service from 17 June 2025—adding around 100,000 extra seats annually.
• Brisbane–Seoul: Continuing its thrice-weekly route.

Combined, Jetstar will operate 10 return flights per week between Australia and Seoul, making it the largest carrier on that route.

This growth mirrors broader demand: Jetstar’s annual international capacity surged 34%, with plans to boost it a further 24% in 2025. Asia-bound routes now account for much of this expansion.

New Routes: Thailand & Beyond

To match growing Australian interest in Southeast Asia, Jetstar is also targeting Thailand:

• From October 2025, Brisbane–Bangkok will increase to five weekly return flights.
• Melbourne–Bangkok will gain one extra weekly service.
• Sydney–Phuket will see two additional return services over the Christmas holiday period.
  These expansions add over 100,000 low-fare seats yearly.

Late 2025 also brings the launch of Sydney–Osaka and seasonal flights from Brisbane to Bangkok. These align with Jetstar’s broader strategy of delivering affordable travel to high-demand Asia-Pacific destinations.

Why the Shift Matters

This realignment reflects Jetstar’s evolving strategy as a growth-oriented low-cost carrier:

• Maximising fleet deployment: Freeing up 787s previously dedicated to Hawaii, now allocated to higher-demand routes.
• Serving leisure travellers: Strong appetite for destinations like Seoul, Bangkok, Osaka, Phuket, and others drives the pivot.
• Budget travellers win: Fare sales have been launched in conjunction with new route announcements—e.g., Seoul fares from around $269 one-way.

According to Jetstar executive Lyle Brownscombe, the airline is adding 130,000 annual seats to its Asian operations, supporting flight frequency growth into Korea, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

What It Means for Travellers

• South Korea surges in popularity among Australian tourists, drawn by K-pop, cuisine, culture, and shopping.
• Jetstar’s expansion provides more affordable options to destinations previously dominated by premium carriers.
• Low fares meet high demand—with Jetstar steadily expanding on routes others have scaled back.
• For those seeking budget access to Asia, Jetstar now offers daily connections to Seoul and expanded service into Bangkok, Osaka, and Phuket.

As Melbourne continues to serve as a major departure hub for these Asian routes, travellers can take advantage of fully furnished apartment accommodation in the city—ideal for extended stopovers, family stays, or business travellers seeking space, comfort, and convenience before or after international flights.

Closing the Loop on Jetstar Asia

Separately, Jetstar’s Singapore-based affiliate, Jetstar Asia, will shut down by 31 July 2025. That move frees up 13 Airbus A320S and approximately US$500 million—funds repurposed for fleet renewal and airline growth domestically.

Importantly, Jetstar Airways—Australia-based—continues its Asia expansion. Its operations to London, Bali, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and more remain unaffected.

Final Takeaway

Jetstar’s demise of its Hawaiian route didn't reflect dwindling travel to the U.S., but a strategic opportunity: redeploying long-haul aircraft to booming Asian routes.

As South Korea climbs to become Australians’ favourite overseas destination, Jetstar’s enhanced Seoul services suggest it is capitalising on the demand—and becoming the go-to low-cost airline on that route.

Jetstar now offers greater value, higher frequency, and broader Asian coverage than ever before. For travellers looking to explore Asia on a budget, Jetstar is leading the way—while leaving Hawaii to Qantas’ premium service.