Korean Air unveils sprawling new lounges at Incheon Int'l Airport in premium push

The newly renovated first class lounge at Incheon International Airport / Courtesy of Korean Air

Korean Air has completed a sweeping overhaul of its first-class and Prestige West lounges at Incheon International Airport, emphasizing space, privacy and upgraded amenities in a bid to redefine the preflight experience, the airline said Thursday.

The airline said the first-class lounge, located across from Gate 250 in Terminal 2, will open at 6 a.m. Friday, while the Prestige West lounge, near Gates 248 and 249, began operations at 4 a.m. Thursday.

Korean Air said the redesigned spaces were built around a “home away from home” concept, with expanded seating and upgraded food and beverage offerings aimed at improving comfort for passengers.

The project marks the completion of a multiyear investment of 110 billion won ($80 million), spanning around three and a half years, to establish next-generation lounges at the airport, according to the airline.

The first-class lounge covers 921 square meters, about 2.3 times larger than before, and features an open central hall alongside 11 private rooms. Korean Air said passengers are guided to individual suites designed to offer a quiet, private space before boarding.

Meals in the first-class lounge are served à la carte, with dishes prepared using traditional recipes that emphasize natural flavors, the airline said. A dedicated staff provides wine, whiskey and craft beer selections.

Additional amenities include shower rooms and wellness areas equipped with massage chairs, designed to support rest and relaxation before flights.

The Prestige West lounge, the largest single lounge at Incheon International Airport, spans 2,615 square meters and seats more than 420 passengers, Korean Air said, adding that the expanded capacity is intended to ease congestion.

Facilities include buffet dining, live cooking stations, a lounge bar, wellness zones, shower rooms and dedicated work and tech areas for business travelers.

Korean Air said chefs from Grand Hyatt Incheon prepare fresh dishes at live stations, with menus updated quarterly to reflect seasonal ingredients. The buffet includes Korean and Western dishes, bakery items and desserts, along with traditional snacks and soft ice cream.

Following the renovation, Korean Air now operates seven lounges in Terminal 2, with total lounge seating increasing from 898 to 1,566 seats, the airline said.

The airline said it plans to continue upgrading lounges at major airports, including Gimpo International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, to meet growing demand following its integration with Asiana Airlines.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.