As we all know by now, Asiana Airlines will be exiting the Star Alliance in December 2026. That is an unavoidable move for the South Korean carrier ahead of its folding into Korean Air as it now under HanJin Group control. However, that departure leaves a massive gaping hole in the Star Alliance airport passenger experience at Seoul Incheon International Airport. That’s why the alliance is looking to take over the current Asiana lounge at T1.
In this post:
- The Asiana T1 Lounge to Become a Star Alliance Lounge
- Star Alliance’s Seventh Branded Lounge Worldwide
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The Asiana T1 Lounge to Become a Star Alliance Lounge
Asiana Airlines at the moment is the airline most Star Alliance carriers rely on at Seoul Incheon Terminal 1 for their premium lounge needs.
However, with Asiana leaving the alliance and ceasing to exist all together the alliance would find itself without a premium passenger lounge from December 16th onwards.
That’s why in these days the airline alliance Asiana is still part of until December has signed a MoU with Seoul Incheon Airport Authority. The MoU lays out how what currently operates as Asiana’s business class lounge will to transition become a Star Alliance branded lounge.
The lounge will be operated by the airline and will become the shared home of all Star Alliance airlines operating out ICN. Therefore premium passengers, First or Business class, and status holders will not see any noticeable changes in their airport experience when flying out of Seoul Incheon.
Star Alliance’s Seventh Branded Lounge Worldwide
| Airport | Airport Code | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Schiphol | AMS | T2 |
| Buenos Aires | EZE | Terminal B |
| Guangzhou | CAN | T3 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | Tom Bradley Terminal |
| Paris CDG | CDG | T1 |
| Rio De Janeiro | GIG | T2 |
| Seoul Incheon | ICN | T1 |
Taking over the Asiana Airlines business class lounge will make the Seoul Incheon international airport lounge Star Alliance’s seventh branded space worldwide.
All three major alliances have taken on this new trend of operating their own branded lounges and Seoul Incheon is only the latest addition to this growing list.