Korean Air debuts flagship lounges at Incheon after $76 million renovation

Korean Air has wrapped up a 42-month renovation of its lounges at Incheon International Airport (ICN) Terminal 2, finishing with the opening of its redesigned First Class and Prestige Class West lounges on April 16 and April 17, 2026, respectively. 

The project cost KRW 110 billion (approximately US$76 million) and more than doubles the airline’s total lounge space at the terminal. 

Korean Air anticipating a much larger footprint

The expansion comes as Korean Air prepares for increased passenger traffic following its planned integration with Asiana Airlines.

Korean Air’s lounge space at Incheon has grown from 5,105 square meters to 12,270 square meters. 

Seating capacity has jumped from 898 to 1,566 seats across seven lounges: First Class, Miler Club, Prestige East Left, Prestige East Right, Prestige West, Prestige Garden East, and Prestige Garden West.

First Class Lounge: privacy as the priority

The new First Class Lounge spans 921 square meters, making it 2.3 times larger than the previous space. The design centers on privacy, with an open hall and 11 private suites where passengers can relax before their flight.

The interior takes cues from traditional Korean architecture, featuring wood pillars, beams, and ramie (mosi) textures. Passengers are guided to individual suites upon arrival.

Meals are served a la carte, with dishes based on traditional Korean recipes that focus on natural flavors. The tableware includes Christofle cutlery, Bernardaud porcelain, and glassware from Baccarat and Riedel. The lounge also features white porcelain by Lee Ki-jo and traditional brassware by Lee Hyung-geun.

The lounge doubles as an art gallery, displaying works by Anish Kapoor alongside Korean artists Kim Young-joo, Lee Bae, Yoo Bong-sang, and Chae Sung-pil. The collection focuses on deep traditional Korean tones of yellow and black.

A wellness zone includes premium massage chairs, while shower suites come with separate powder rooms and private shower booths.

Prestige Class West Lounge: the biggest at Incheon

At 2,615 square meters with more than 420 seats, the Prestige Class West Lounge is now the largest single lounge facility at Incheon International Airport. The design reflects Korean Air’s premium cabin branding, using a palette of gold, black, and ivory.

The food offering includes an expansive buffet with Korean and Western dishes, live cooking stations, and a full-service bar. Handmade desserts and traditional Korean snacks like yakgwa are prepared by Grand Hyatt chefs. Seasonal fruits and soft-serve ice cream round out the selection, and the menu changes quarterly to feature seasonal ingredients.

The space includes dynamic digital art installations that shift based on time of day and viewing angle. For business travelers, a dedicated Tech Zone provides workstations, while a wellness area offers premium massage chairs.

Travelers can now book lounge access through the Korean Air Lounge Reservation feature on the airline’s website and mobile app.

With the Incheon project complete, Korean Air plans to continue upgrading its lounges at other major hubs, including Gimpo International Airport (GMP) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.

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