South Korean low cost carrier T’Way Air is making changes to its seasonal service between Seoul and Zagreb, with the outbound flight to now operate nonstop without the technical stop in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. This was made possible by switching from the initially planned Airbus A330-300 to the longer-range A330-200 jet. The stop in Bishkek was required due to T’Way Air’s inability to fly over Russian airspace, which increased flight time. Last year, passengers were required to disembark the aircraft in the Kyrgyz capital, although no tickets were sold between either Seoul and Bishkek or between Bishkek and Zagreb on this flight. The inbound service between Zagreb and Seoul will continue to run nonstop as was the case last year. The airline managed to operate the return service nonstop in 2024 using the A330-300 by benefiting from shorter eastbound flight times and favourable seasonal winds.
The change in aircraft type will also result in a notable reduction in capacity, with over 100 fewer seats per flight. During the 2025 summer season, the airline will reduce its overall capacity on the Zagreb route by 12.322 seats, from the initially planned 42.334 to 30.012. The year-on-year decrease in capacity stands at 19.322 seats. In 2024, T’Way Air handled 40.258 passengers between the two capitals, with an average cabin load factor of 81.7% for the duration of the season. This year, T’Way Air will operate a one-off service between the two on April 25 and then resume its regular three weekly rotation from June 10 until October 25.
The A330-200 aircraft that will be used by T’Way Air on the Zagreb route have been leased from Korean Air. They still feature the cabins from its former operator. This includes eighteen seats in business class and the remaining 228 in economy. Similar to T’Way Air, the business class seats are angled and while the A330-200s feature personal television screens in each seat, they are not turned on by T’Way Air. Business class passengers receive priority check-in, 40 kilograms of checked luggage, two complimentary meals, a pillow, and a blanket, while economy travellers receive 15 kilograms of checked luggage and two complimentary meals. All other items including blankets, pillows and drinks can be purchased onboard.
Probably bad LF caused this change.
ReplyDeleteIf you actually read the article you could see what the load factor was.
Delete81% load factor in first year of operations is far from bad load factor.
Delete80% LF for LCC is extremely bad
DeleteLF is very poor. People in our region are used to 60% on OU, but in reality to make money a LCC needs 95% and they are in business to make a profit.
DeleteSMFH at people who think a long haul loadfactor of 81% is bad!
DeleteSMFH at people who doesn't understand difference between low cost and legacy companies. Luckily TWay knows and that's why they changed to smaller plane. Now this route may survive until next year
DeleteLF at 81% with the prices they charged was not good at all. Last throw of the dice downsizing. Can't see this route operating in 2026.
DeleteTheir prices were not so cheap. The reason they were not cheap is because the majority of seats are purchased by tour operators in South Korea. Last year it was published here that tour operators complained to the airline because of the stop in Bishkek because it was uncompetitive against other airlines which also have one stop options. So the change in aircraft is to address that. And now you will have 100% load factor.
DeleteIt might happen that load factor exceeds 100% if they put, lets say airbus 321 xl (theoretically of course) according to anon 10:38
DeleteTS is cutting capacity from Toronto to ZAG to .
DeleteHow so?
DeleteSMFH to the commentators that use that word in the comments here
DeleteToronto to Zagreb to...?
DeleteLF wasn't that great. With the A332 it should be much better. I don't know how well long-haul out of the EU will perform this year since many airlines like Lufthansa or Swiss are massively cutting flights. Even LO terminated ICN-BUD.
ReplyDeleteIt was their first year of ops.
DeleteLO cancelled ICN-BUD, but Korean is also operating this route
Delete19.322 seat reduction is crazy
ReplyDeleteIt is huge!
DeleteWhat was the seat capacity with A333?
Delete347
DeleteThat means sardina packing
DeleteYes, The reason the reduction in capacity is so huge is because they are going from a high density A330-300 to a normal capacity A330-200 which used to be operated by Korean Air and has its layout.
DeleteNothing stopping them adding another weekly flight if there is demand.
DeleteThe upside is that the Korean Air A330-300 economy class isn't packed in like sardines on the Tway A330-300
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteThey did this too late. I booked a flight from Zagreb to Seoul with Qatar but I would have done TWay if they flew direct.. I wish they had done this sooner
ReplyDeleteZagreb to Seoul was direct before this changes
DeleteI meant for the return
DeleteI'm pretty sure you will have a more comfortable flight with QR, even with the stop in Doha.
DeleteThis is the renewed schedule without the stop
ReplyDeleteTW409 ICN1055 – 1720ZAG 332 24
TW409 ICN1600 – 2225ZAG 332 6
TW410 ZAG1850 – 1250+1ICN 332 24
TW410 ZAG2355 – 1825+1ICN 332 6
Great schedule for OU connections
DeleteNeither of them cooperate with each other.
DeleteIs there any major change compared to last years schedule?
Delete16:39
DeleteYes, all three flights were arriving at 19 and departing ZAG at 21 last year if I'm not mistaken
Passengers can self-connect to the Croatian coast. OU has some great fares and a reliable schedule.
DeleteWTF have you seen the fares? Are you a keyboard warrior or troll?
DeleteJust a realist and not an OU hater
DeleteTheir domestic fares are outrageous. Especially considering the routes are subsidized and are supposed to be cheap because of it (which is the whole point of PSO)
DeleteThey are expensive because planes to DBV and SPU are full. If you buy early like Koreans usually do then they can get some great deals.
DeleteGood to see T'Way streamlining their operations to offer nonstop flights from Seoul to Zagreb. The technical stop in Bishkek must have been quite inconvenient for passengers.
ReplyDeleteWith this equipment swap I'm guessing fares will go up.
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteIt seems like T'Way Air is really betting on increased efficiency to maintain profitability on this route.
ReplyDeleteThis makes for a much smoother journey
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing IFE won't be activated. On such a long flight, every bit of comfort counts
ReplyDeleteFor half the price of standard ticket what do you expect?
DeleteJapanese long haul low cost airlines are way ahead of others in terms of the service they offer. For example in business Zipair has full flat seats in 1-2-1 configuration.
DeleteYes and that is why Anon 11.43 so many long-haul LCCs go bankrupt.
DeleteI get the strategy behind it, I wonder if they risk losing customers to competitors who can offer more seats and possibly better rates
ReplyDeleteWho other offers direct flights from Seoul to Zagreb?
DeleteCroatia Airlines, hahahahahahahahahahaha
DeletePity
ReplyDeleteWish Korean Air came back
ReplyDeleteIs there a chance?
DeleteNo, they gave up traffic rights to T'Way as part of their approval to take over Asiana.
Delete