Tway Airlines (ICAO: TWB) is a South Korean low-cost carrier that has grown significantly since its rebranding, expanding its network across Asia, Europe, and North America.
T'way Air's origins trace back to Hansung Airlines, established in 2005. After facing financial difficulties and suspending operations, the airline was reorganized and relaunched as T'way Air on August 8, 2010, starting with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Initially, it focused on domestic routes, commencing services between Gimpo International Airport and Jeju International Airport in South Korea.
The airline's main operational bases are Incheon International Airport for long-haul international flights and Gimpo International Airport for domestic short-haul operations. It also utilizes Daegu International Airport as a secondary hub, having relocated its headquarters to Daegu in 2022. As of November 2025, T'way Air operates a diverse fleet of 45 aircraft, including six Airbus A330-200s, four Airbus A330-300s, 26 Boeing 737-800s, five Boeing 737 MAX 8s, and two Boeing 777-300ERs. Future plans include increasing its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet to 20 by late 2027 and adding five Airbus A330-900neos in 2026.
T'way Air's route network encompasses both domestic flights within South Korea and international services to approximately 40 destinations across 23 countries. Its international reach extends to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Guam, Australia (Sydney), and several European cities such as Frankfurt, Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. In July 2025, the airline launched its inaugural North American route to Vancouver, with plans for further expansion to Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. T'way Air is not currently a member of any major airline alliance like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld, although it is reportedly exploring the possibility of joining Star Alliance. As a low-cost carrier, T'way Air traditionally offered only Economy Class. However, with the introduction of its wide-body Airbus A330s and Boeing 777-300ERs, it now features a Business Class with angle-flat beds on some routes and Premium Economy on its Boeing 777-300ERs. Economy Class seats are typically arranged in a 3-3 configuration on Boeing 737s and 2-4-2 on A330s. In-flight meals and duty-free shopping are available for purchase on international flights, with pre-order meal options.
Traveler reviews for T'way Air often reflect the typical experiences associated with a low-cost carrier, balancing affordability with service limitations.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, the sentiment among travelers is mixed. While T'way Air is lauded for its budget-friendly fares and generally pleasant cabin crew, its operational inconsistencies, including frequent delays and perceived shortcomings in customer support, are notable drawbacks. Travelers often advise setting appropriate expectations for a low-cost airline experience.
T'way Air's safety record has recently come under scrutiny. In October 2024, its safety rating was downgraded from 7 to 4 by AirlineRatings.com due to a series of operational and safety violations. The airline has experienced a significant increase in maintenance-related incidents, rising from 33 in 2020 to 510 in 2023, with 315 cases reported by June 2024. A notable incident in July 2024 involved an Airbus A330-300 being grounded due to a hydraulic system defect.
Regarding regulatory certifications, T'way Air completed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) recertification in January 2023, demonstrating adherence to international standards for safety operations and quality assurance. However, in 2024, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) imposed a fine of 2 billion won (approximately $1.48 million USD) on T'way Air for five breaches of aviation safety regulations. These violations included irregular inspection intervals, skipping hydraulic fluid tests, failing to replace or reusing hydraulic filters, and altering or deleting maintenance records. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also indicated that it is prepared to "react appropriately" to any potential flight maintenance issues related to T'way's European operations.
Based on available data, T'way Air's overall safety assessment has declined. The downgrade in its safety rating by AirlineRatings.com, coupled with substantial fines and official directives from South Korean authorities, raises significant concerns about the airline's maintenance practices and compliance with safety protocols. No specific safety awards or recognitions were found in recent records.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAE → CJU |
Jeju Int'l
Jeju
|
191 | 206 mi | 737 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| GMP → CJU |
Jeju Int'l
Jeju
|
145 | 280 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CJU → GMP |
Gimpo Int'l
Seoul
|
93 | 280 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CJJ → CJU |
Jeju Int'l
Jeju
|
88 | 229 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TAE → FUK |
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
|
56 | 189 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| TAE → KIX |
Kansai Int'l
Izumisano
|
48 | 386 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| GUM → KIX |
Kansai Int'l
Izumisano
|
37 | 1567 mi | B738 | Nov 1, 2025 |
| GMP → PUS |
Gimhae Int'l
Busan
|
34 | 203 mi | 737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| KMJ → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
34 | 406 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| GUM → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
33 | 2049 mi | B38M | Oct 17, 2025 |
| KWJ → CJU |
Jeju Int'l
Jeju
|
33 | 113 mi | 737 | Dec 2, 2025 |
| CJU → TAE |
Daegu
Daegu
|
31 | 206 mi | 737 | Nov 30, 2025 |
| CXR → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
30 | 2059 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TAE → NRT |
Narita Int'l
Tokyo (Narita)
|
29 | 657 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| CXR → CJJ |
Cheongju
Cheongju
|
26 | 2053 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TAE → TPE |
Taiwan Taoyuan Int'l
Taipei
|
25 | 869 mi | B738 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| TAE → BKK |
Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
Bangkok
|
25 | 2315 mi | B738 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| DAD → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
23 | 1854 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| KIX → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
23 | 536 mi | B738 | Nov 10, 2025 |
| CJU → CJJ |
Cheongju
Cheongju
|
22 | 229 mi | 737 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| NRT → ICN |
Incheon Int'l
Seoul (Incheon)
|
22 | 782 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| CJJ → KIX |
Kansai Int'l
Izumisano
|
22 | 463 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TAE → DAD |
Da Nang Int'l
Da Nang
|
21 | 1863 mi | B738 | Dec 6, 2025 |
| UBN → TAE |
Daegu
Daegu
|
17 | 1381 mi | B738 | Oct 25, 2025 |
| TPE → TAE |
Daegu
Daegu
|
17 | 869 mi | B738 | Dec 2, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.