Jeju Air recently announced plans to change its name and close its Jeju headquarters, stirring a lot of opposition. The airline also says it will start charging extra for more of its services. Critics say the once-budget carrier is low-cost no more. Mike Laidman KCTV

When Jeju Air began operations about a decade ago, it's aim was to satisfy the needs of the budget-conscious traveler. But today, the low-cost carrier charges extra for almost all of its services.


To reserve a seat, passengers must pay an additional 3,000 to 30,000 won.

In-flight meals on international flights are paid for separately, which can mean up to another 20,000 won.


When one adds up all the little extra fees, there’s little difference to the price one would pay compared to a non-budget airline.

[INTERVIEW]
Lee Il-ho, Chung Chan-mi / Gyeonggi Province
I don’t think there’s much of a price difference between budget and regular airlines. When you add in the extra fees for seat reservations and inflight meals, they're about the same. You even have to pay extra when purchasing tickets offline.
이일호 정찬미(경기도)
저가항공이나 일반 항공이나 크게 차이가 없는 것 같아요.
저가항공의 경우 좌석 예약 요금이나 식대를 추가로 받고
크게 차이가 없는 것 같아요.
심지어 항공사 직원을 통해 직접 예매하는 경우에도 수수료가 추가됩니다.

<타가 IN>
A surcharge of 5,000 won is added per person when buying tickets at the airport.
<타카 OUT>

And, in a first for a domestic airline, Jeju Air also plans to add charges for reservations made over the phone.

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

The airline says it’s part of an effort to encourage people to reserve online and make phone lines less busy. But for passengers without smartphones or computers, this only means they will be forced to pay extra.

[INTERVIEW]
Son Young-geun / Seoul
It’s inconvenient for older people who aren't as comfortable using the Internet.
손영근/서울
"나이가 든 사람들은 불편하죠. 인터넷도 잘 못하고 불편하죠."

[INTERVIEW]
Yeo In-hyeon / Daegu
This is not a low-cost carrier. They charged extra because I bought my ticket at the airport. Before that, it was 72,100 won just for the ticket. In total it was 77,000 won. That’s not a budget airline.
여인현/대구
"저가항공이 아닌 것 같아요. 현장에서 예매하면 5천 원 더 받고
표 값이 7만 2천100원까지 7만 7천 원이면 저가항공이 아니잖아요."

When the company started operations, it said it would do all it could to reduce costs.

[reporter]
Mike Laidman

But now with all the extra fees it charges, Jeju Air is not living up to its budget-airline roots.

Mike Laidman, KCTV