Star Alliance to open dedicated lounge at Incheon International Airport for premium passenger access


Star Alliance is partnering with Incheon International Airport to open a new Terminal 1 lounge, ensuring continued premium access for eligible passengers following Asiana Airlines’ departure from the alliance in December 2026.

Summary:

  • Star Alliance and Incheon International Airport Corporation have signed an MoU to establish a new Star Alliance lounge at Terminal 1.
  • The lounge will maintain premium access for eligible Star Alliance passengers after Asiana Airlines leaves the alliance on 16 December 2026.
  • The new facility will serve passengers flying with 14 Star Alliance member airlines at Incheon, connecting them with 29 destinations worldwide.

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

The MoU will ensure continued premium lounge access for eligible passengers travelling with Star Alliance member airlines at Incheon International Airport after Asiana Airlines departs from Star Alliance on 16 December 2026, as part of its integration with Korean Air. Eligible passengers of Star Alliance member airlines currently enjoy access to Asiana Airlines lounges at Incheon International Airport.

“Incheon International Airport is an important gateway for Star Alliance, with several member airlines operating here, said Ambar Franco, Vice President Customer Experience, Star Alliance. “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.”

The decision to establish a dedicated Star Alliance lounge at Incheon International Airport reflects the airport’s continued importance as a major international gateway, ranking as the world’s number one airport for international passenger traffic in the first half of 2026, and Star Alliance’s commitment to delivering a quality experience for customers travelling across its member airlines. The Star Alliance lounge will serve passengers travelling with 14 Star Alliance member airlines operating at Incheon International Airport, connecting them to 29 destinations worldwide.

The new space will be the seventh Star Alliance lounge worldwide, joining its existing lounges at Paris-CDG, Los Angeles International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. In addition, eligible Star Alliance member airline customers enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges around the world.

“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,” said Kim Chang-gyu, Chief Operation Officer, Incheon International Airport Corporation. “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.”

Hear more from Star Alliance at APEX FTE EXPO, taking place in Singapore on 18 to 19 November 2026. Ambar Franco, Vice President Customer Experience, Star Alliance, is participating in a session titled ‘Innovation Showcase Part 1 – CX, commercial and operational innovation’.

See the APEX FTE EXPO Agenda Overview >> Register for APEX FTE EXPO >>

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