Is Seoul getting a new Star Alliance lounge?

Star Alliance could soon add Seoul Incheon to its network of airport lounges, according to a report in South Korea’s The Economist.

The opportunity has arisen following Asiana Airlines from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 in January, in the wake of its takeover by Korean Air, which will now spend 2026 “integrating” the two carriers.

That integration includes Asiana sharing Korean Air’s T2 facilities and lounges, having the Asiana fleet redressed in Korean’s new-look livery, and leaving the Star Alliance group in Q4 of this year.

Asiana previously operated four lounges at T1 – three for business class, and one for first class – so its move leaves empty several large and decently-appointed spaces.

That paves the way for Star Alliance to convert one of these into a Star-branded lounge for business class passengers and Gold-grade frequent flyers.

The Economist claims Asiana Airlines “is discussing the scale of conversion and maintenance internally.”

Executive Traveller has approached Star Alliance for comment.

A dozen Star Alliance member airlines fly out of Seoul Incheon T1, but only one – Singapore Airlines – has its own lounge.

Other Star Alliance airlines operating from T1 include Air Canada, Air China, Air India, EVA Air,  Lufthansa, Swiss, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

Rival airline group Oneworld opened its own Seoul T1 lounge – the first in the Oneworld-branded network – in January 2024.

Also read: Here are the new Star Alliance lounges coming to New York JFK