Air Busan will fly direct from Busan (Gimhae) to Chiang Mai from 11 November 2026, four times a week, rising to six flights a week from 22 December 2026 to 28 February 2027. For golfers in Busan and southeast Korea, it means an evening flight straight into Chiang Mai at the start of the cool season, with no Seoul or Bangkok connection.
What exactly has Air Busan announced?
The route was reported by Smart Today on October 1, 2026, and CAPA Centre for Aviation reported the November 2026 launch the same day. The key details:
- Start date: 11 November 2026
- Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
- Aircraft: Airbus A321neo, 232 seats
- Outbound: Gimhae 19:00, arrives Chiang Mai 22:55
- Return: Chiang Mai 23:55, arrives Gimhae 07:05 the next morning
- Winter peak: six flights a week from 22 December 2026 to 28 February 2027
KNN reported the same timings on October 2, 2026, along with the step up to six weekly flights for the winter peak.
Why does this schedule work for golfers?
Smart Today lists good-value golf among Chiang Mai's main draws and notes that golf demand peaks in the dry winter season. The timings suit it. You can leave work, fly out at 19:00 and be in your hotel before midnight. Your first round is the next morning.
The return matters more. Because the flight leaves at 23:55, your last day is a full golf day. Play a morning round, have lunch, rest, and head to the airport in the evening. With an early flight home you would lose that day to travel.
Which dates should Busan golfers pick?
The route starts in mid-November, as the rainy season ends and the cool dry months begin. In our experience late November and early December offer good course conditions with less pressure on tee times than Christmas and New Year.
From 22 December the route goes up to six flights a week, covering the winter peak. That helps with seats, but those months are also the busiest for tee times at the popular courses. Chiang Mai Business News' high season guide, published October 14, 2026, covers the wider rise in winter flights and notes that Korean visitors favour golf and the cool season. More flights means more golfers chasing the same morning slots.
Our advice: for any trip between 22 December and 28 February, book flights and tee times together, as early as you can. Christmas, New Year and the Lunar New Year holidays fill first.
How long should a trip on this route be?
With four flight days a week, these trip lengths fit cleanly:
- Thursday to Sunday (3 nights): three full golf days. Fits the Weekend Warrior 3-night package.
- Sunday to Thursday or Wednesday to Sunday (4 nights): room for three rounds plus a rest day. Fits Northern Value, 4 nights and 3 rounds.
- Wednesday to Wednesday (7 nights): a full week across the region's best courses with Lanna Signature, 7 nights and 5 rounds.
On a longer trip, mix mountain courses like Chiangmai Highlands with flatter layouts nearer town. Browse the full Chiang Mai course directory to compare.
Will it change the cost of a golf trip?
A direct flight removes the time and cost of a Seoul or Bangkok connection, and the extra hotel night that often comes with one. Golf costs on the ground do not change. Green fees, caddies and carts follow the normal season, and high season rates generally apply through the cool months. Mid-November to mid-December is a good window for conditions and availability before the holiday peak.
Plan your Chiang Mai golf trip around the new Busan flightsTell us your Air Busan dates and we match courses, tee times, hotel and transfersFrequently asked questions
When does the Air Busan Busan to Chiang Mai flight start?
The first flight leaves Busan Gimhae on 11 November 2026. The route runs four times a week, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, on a 232-seat Airbus A321neo. From 22 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 it goes up to six flights a week for the winter peak. Flights leave Gimhae at 19:00 and land in Chiang Mai at 22:55, so plan your first round for the next morning.
Can I play golf on my last day with the 23:55 return flight?
Yes. The return leaves Chiang Mai at 23:55 and lands in Gimhae at 07:05 the next morning. A morning tee time on your final day still leaves the afternoon for lunch, a shower and packing. Book late checkout or a day room so you have somewhere to change, and choose a course closer to the city so the airport run stays short.
Which CMGT package suits the Air Busan schedule?
Thursday to Sunday gives three nights and three full golf days, which matches the Weekend Warrior package. Sunday to Thursday or Wednesday to Sunday gives four nights, which fits Northern Value. Wednesday to Wednesday covers seven nights for Lanna Signature. Tell us your flight dates and we plan the tee times, hotel and transfers to match.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Air Busan Busan to Chiang Mai flight start?
The first flight leaves Busan Gimhae on 11 November 2026. The route runs four times a week, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, on a 232-seat Airbus A321neo. From 22 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 it goes up to six flights a week for the winter peak. Flights leave Gimhae at 19:00 and land in Chiang Mai at 22:55, so plan your first round for the next morning.
Can I play golf on my last day with the 23:55 return flight?
Yes. The return leaves Chiang Mai at 23:55 and lands in Gimhae at 07:05 the next morning. A morning tee time on your final day still leaves the afternoon for lunch, a shower and packing. Book late checkout or a day room so you have somewhere to change, and choose a course closer to the city so the airport run stays short.
Which CMGT package suits the Air Busan schedule?
Thursday to Sunday gives three nights and three full golf days, which matches the Weekend Warrior package. Sunday to Thursday or Wednesday to Sunday gives four nights, which fits Northern Value. Wednesday to Wednesday covers seven nights for Lanna Signature. Tell us your flight dates and we plan the tee times, hotel and transfers to match.
