Star Alliance to Open New Lounge at Seoul Incheon Terminal 1
The facility will ensure premium access for eligible travellers after Asiana Airlines' departure from the alliance and its merger with Korean Air in December.
Star Alliance Establishes Incheon Lounge
Star Alliance is set to launch its own branded lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) Terminal 1. This development will provide eligible travellers with continued premium lounge access at the significant Asian aviation hub. The initiative directly addresses the upcoming exit of Asiana Airlines, a current member, from the global alliance.
The new lounge aims to preserve the high-quality ground services expected by Star Alliance passengers, particularly those connecting through or departing from Incheon.
Asiana's Departure and Merger Context
The establishment of the Star Alliance lounge follows Asiana Airlines' planned merger with Korean Air, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, scheduled for December. Currently, eligible Star Alliance passengers utilise Asiana business-class lounges within Incheon’s Terminal 1. However, these facilities will no longer be available to Star Alliance members once the merger is complete.
Star Alliance stated that its new lounge would ensure a premium option remains for customers travelling from Incheon, a key gateway for several of its member carriers.
Details and Global Network
Specific details regarding the new lounge’s size, design, and amenities are yet to be announced by Star Alliance. It is also not confirmed whether the upcoming lounge will occupy the same space as any of the existing Asiana lounges.
Ambar Franco, Vice President of Customer Experience at Star Alliance, highlighted Incheon International Airport's importance as a gateway for the alliance, noting the operations of several member airlines.
Franco added that the partnership with Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) reflects a mutual commitment to delivering a consistently high-quality customer experience.
Globally, Star Alliance offers access to over 1,000 airport lounges through its member airlines and operates six other own-branded lounges, including one at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in China, alongside facilities in Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Paris, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro.
Consequence for Asian Travellers
This new facility secures a vital premium amenity for international travellers utilising Incheon, a major transit point for North Asia. For Star Alliance Gold members and business-class passengers, the lounge prevents a potential disruption in service following Asiana’s departure.
The move also underscores Star Alliance's strategy to directly manage its brand presence in critical markets, mirroring its operation of a dedicated lounge in Guangzhou, China.
This ensures a consistent offering for travellers across its extensive network, particularly those flying with major Asian member carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and EVA Air, which maintain significant operations to and from Incheon.
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