Star Alliance to open Incheon lounge as Asiana prepares to exit alliance

Star Alliance is set to open a dedicated lounge at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport later this year, ensuring eligible passengers retain lounge access following Asiana Airlines’ departure from the global airline alliance.

Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Star Alliance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the lounge at Terminal 1.

Under the agreement, the existing Asiana Airlines Business Lounge (West) will be converted into a Star Alliance lounge, with operations expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The transition comes as Asiana prepares to leave Star Alliance on Dec. 16, 2026, as part of its integration with Korean Air. Eligible Star Alliance passengers currently have access to Asiana Airlines lounges at Incheon.

The new arrangement is designed to ensure those travellers continue to receive premium lounge access after Asiana exits the alliance.

The lounge will serve passengers flying with 14 Star Alliance member airlines operating at Incheon, collectively connecting the airport with 29 destinations worldwide.

“Incheon International Airport is an important gateway for Star Alliance, with several member airlines operating here. This partnership with IIAC reflects our shared commitment to delivering a consistently high-quality experience for customers. We are proud to establish a Star Alliance lounge at one of the world’s leading airports, and look forward to welcoming our member airline customers at the airport,” said Ambar Franco, vice president customer experience at Star Alliance in a press release.

Incheon ranked as the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, according to the announcement.

The new facility will become Star Alliance’s seventh dedicated lounge worldwide, joining existing locations that include Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Across its broader network, eligible customers travelling with Star Alliance member airlines have access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.

“This agreement is part of our efforts to provide stable and high-quality services to passengers using Incheon Airport amid major changes, including the integration of Asiana Airlines and Korean Air. We will continue to provide full support in terms of operations and facilities so that Star Alliance member airlines can expand various networks based at Terminal 1 of Incheon Airport and provide the best services to customers,” said Kim Chang-gyu, chief operation officer at Incheon International Airport Corporation.

The partnership will also expand Incheon’s premium passenger infrastructure as the airport navigates changes stemming from the Korean Air-Asiana integration.

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