"Koreans Are True Regulars but Treated Coldly"… Japan Airlines Says No to Offering 'Free Domestic Flights'

"Plans to Expand Beneficiary Countries in the Future"
Aimed at Revitalizing Tourism in Local Small Cities

Japan Airlines (JAL) has decided to offer 'free domestic flights' to certain countries. This is a measure to enhance accessibility to Japan's small cities. However, South Korea appears to have been excluded from the initial list of beneficiary countries.

Since last month, JAL has announced on its official website that it is "offering special benefits for international travelers." It further stated, "When you book an international flight with JAL, you can receive a free domestic flight ticket to any destination within Japan."

Japanese Airlines passenger planes lined up at the Tokyo Haneda Airport apron. [Image source=Yonhap News]

JAL is reported to have planned this event to encourage foreign tourists not only to stay in well-known major cities like Tokyo and Osaka but also to visit regional small cities. This is a strategy aimed at revitalizing the local tourism industry and domestic consumption.

To receive JAL's free domestic flight benefit, foreigners must book the domestic flight they wish to take simultaneously with their international flight. Regarding this, JAL explained the purpose by saying, "Travelers staying at their initial destination can move to other locations within Japan without additional costs, making travel planning easier."

However, South Korea was not included among the countries eligible for this event. The eligible countries are the United States, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, China, and Taiwan.

Additionally, the applicable dates vary by country, and tourists from some countries (the United States, Canada, Mexico, China) must pay a stay fee of $100 (approximately 134,750 KRW) if they stay at their first destination for more than 24 hours.

However, JAL has reportedly stated that it "plans to expand the list of beneficiary countries in the future."

Meanwhile, South Korean tourists emerged as major contributors to Japan's tourism industry last year. According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), 6.96 million South Korean tourists visited Japan last year, accounting for 27.8% of the total foreign tourists (25.07 million), ranking first. The number of South Korean tourists visiting Japan was found to be three times the number of Japanese tourists visiting South Korea.