Can I pick seats together as a family if I book with a budget airline?

Technically yes, but it costs $15–$50 per seat with AirAsia or Scoot. You'll end up paying $80–$200 extra for a family of four just to sit together. Full-service carriers (Korean Air, Asiana, Cathay Pacific) offer free family seating or block seats for families at no charge. The extra $100–$300 you spend on a full-service ticket often pays for itself in peace of mind and included baggage.

What's the cheapest time to book?

Book 8–10 weeks before departure for the absolute lowest fares. Prices bottom out on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. Avoid booking within 3 weeks of departure (fares spike 30–50%) and never book on Friday (airline pricing algorithms adjust upward). If you see a price 15% below the average, book it immediately.

Should I book direct with the airline or use a third-party site?

Book direct with the airline website. Third-party sites (Expedia, Kayak, Booking.com) often have higher fees and slower customer service if you need to change flights. You'll also miss airline-specific family perks (free seat selection, kids' meals, frequent flyer miles). Use comparison sites only to find the best fare, then book on the airline's official site.

Is a layover worth it to save money with a young family?

Only if your kids are 6+. A 12–16 hour layover can save $200–$500 per ticket, but with toddlers you're adding airport stress, potential missed connections, and broken sleep schedules. Direct flights cost more but save your sanity. The break-even point is usually around age 5–6 when kids can occupy themselves during a 3–4 hour layover.

Can I bring a car seat or stroller on the plane?

Yes. Most airlines allow one stroller and one car seat free as checked baggage or gate-checked. If your child is under 2 and not occupying a seat, you can bring a car seat to secure them; some parents bring both a car seat for the plane and a stroller for the airport. Check your specific airline's policy on their website—policies vary by carrier.

When should I book if I'm traveling during school holidays?

Book 12–14 weeks in advance for Christmas/New Year, spring break, or summer travel. Holiday fares spike 50–100% above regular rates, and good flights sell out fast. If you're flexible, avoid peak holiday weeks (Dec 20–Jan 3, spring break week) and book the week before or after instead—you'll save $300–$600 per ticket.

How to Book Family Flights to South Korea and Actually Get Decent Seats

Book 2-3 months ahead on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, use Google Flights to compare, then book directly with airlines that offer free seat selection for families (Korean Air, Asiana, or Cathay Pacific beat budget carriers here). Set up price alerts immediately—fares to Seoul drop predictably in shoulder seasons.

Set up price tracking now. Go to Google Flights and enter your origin city and Seoul (ICN or GMP). Set a price alert for your preferred travel window. Also check Skyscanner and Kayak for the same route. You're looking for fares between $600–$900 per adult from US West Coast, $700–$1,100 from East Coast. Don't book until you see a drop of at least 10–15% from the average.
Choose your airline based on family needs. Korean Air and Asiana offer free seat selection for families, dedicated family seating areas, and bassinets for infants on long hauls—book direct with them if you have kids under 2. Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) is slightly cheaper and family-friendly. Avoid budget carriers (AirAsia, Scoot) if you have young kids; seat selection costs extra ($15–$50 per seat), and you'll likely be separated. Full-service carriers cost $100–$300 more per ticket but include a checked bag, meals, and actual customer service when things go wrong.
Book on the right day and time. Airlines release sales and price drops typically on Tuesday mornings (US time). Set a reminder for 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Avoid booking on weekends or during holiday windows (Dec 15–Jan 5, spring break weeks) when demand is highest. If you see a price you can live with, book within 24 hours—the fare will likely jump.
Lock in family seat assignments. If you've booked with Korean Air or Asiana, log into your booking immediately and assign seats. These airlines block certain rows for families—you'll often find 2–3 empty middle seats next to your group. Cathay Pacific allows free seat selection within 24 hours of booking. Do not leave this to airport check-in. Get confirmation screenshots of your seat map.
Add checked baggage and meal preferences now. Full-service carriers include 2 checked bags per person; budget carriers include zero. If flying budget, add checked baggage immediately after booking—it's $50–$80 cheaper than at the airport. Pre-select meals for any dietary needs (kids' meals, vegetarian, etc.) 48 hours before departure. Request high-chairs or bassinet for infants at booking or within 48 hours.
Build in a layover if the price difference is significant. Direct flights from North America (United, Korean Air, Asiana, Cathay Pacific) cost $100–$300 more per person. A 12–16 hour layover in Tokyo (JAL, ANA), Shanghai (China Eastern, China Southern), or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) can save $200–$500 per ticket and gives everyone a chance to move around. Only choose this if your kids are 5+; younger kids struggle with long-haul + connection combos.
Check visa and entry requirements before finalizing. US, Canadian, Australian, UK, and EU citizens get 90 days visa-free in South Korea. No visas needed for standard family tourism. Have passports valid for 6+ months and print your flight confirmations. Check the Korean Embassy website for any entry requirement updates.
Book travel insurance if you don't have it. Cancel-for-any-reason coverage costs 6–10% of your total fare and covers you if anyone gets sick or plans change. World Nomads, SafetyWing, and AXA all offer family plans. Book it within 7 days of your initial flight booking to cover pre-existing conditions.

Can I pick seats together as a family if I book with a budget airline?: Technically yes, but it costs $15–$50 per seat with AirAsia or Scoot. You'll end up paying $80–$200 extra for a family of four just to sit together. Full-service carriers (Korean Air, Asiana, Cathay Pacific) offer free family seating or block seats for families at no charge. The extra $100–$300 you spend on a full-service ticket often pays for itself in peace of mind and included baggage.
What's the cheapest time to book?: Book 8–10 weeks before departure for the absolute lowest fares. Prices bottom out on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. Avoid booking within 3 weeks of departure (fares spike 30–50%) and never book on Friday (airline pricing algorithms adjust upward). If you see a price 15% below the average, book it immediately.
Should I book direct with the airline or use a third-party site?: Book direct with the airline website. Third-party sites (Expedia, Kayak, Booking.com) often have higher fees and slower customer service if you need to change flights. You'll also miss airline-specific family perks (free seat selection, kids' meals, frequent flyer miles). Use comparison sites only to find the best fare, then book on the airline's official site.
Is a layover worth it to save money with a young family?: Only if your kids are 6+. A 12–16 hour layover can save $200–$500 per ticket, but with toddlers you're adding airport stress, potential missed connections, and broken sleep schedules. Direct flights cost more but save your sanity. The break-even point is usually around age 5–6 when kids can occupy themselves during a 3–4 hour layover.
Can I bring a car seat or stroller on the plane?: Yes. Most airlines allow one stroller and one car seat free as checked baggage or gate-checked. If your child is under 2 and not occupying a seat, you can bring a car seat to secure them; some parents bring both a car seat for the plane and a stroller for the airport. Check your specific airline's policy on their website—policies vary by carrier.
When should I book if I'm traveling during school holidays?: Book 12–14 weeks in advance for Christmas/New Year, spring break, or summer travel. Holiday fares spike 50–100% above regular rates, and good flights sell out fast. If you're flexible, avoid peak holiday weeks (Dec 20–Jan 3, spring break week) and book the week before or after instead—you'll save $300–$600 per ticket.