Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a dedicated Star Alliance lounge at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport.
The new lounge is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, coinciding with Asiana Airlines’ departure from Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, as it integrates with Korean Air.
Lounge to ensure seamless premium access
The agreement is aimed at ensuring continued premium lounge access for eligible passengers travelling on Star Alliance member airlines at Incheon International Airport.
At present, eligible Star Alliance passengers use Asiana Airlines lounges at the airport. Under the MOU, the existing Asiana Airlines Business Lounge (West) in Terminal 1 will transition into a Star Alliance lounge.
The transition is expected to enable eligible passengers to continue accessing premium lounge facilities without disruption after Asiana Airlines exits the alliance.
Air India connects Delhi with Incheon
Air India currently operates two non-stop flights between Delhi and Incheon, using widebody Boeing 787 aircraft. The new Star Alliance lounge will therefore provide an additional premium facility for eligible Star Alliance travellers using the Incheon gateway.
Incheon strengthens global hub position
The decision to establish a dedicated Star Alliance lounge reflects the strategic importance of Incheon International Airport as a major international gateway.
The airport ranked as the world’s number one airport for international passenger traffic in the first half of 2026, according to the information released by the organisations.
The new lounge will serve passengers travelling with 14 Star Alliance member airlines operating at Incheon, providing connectivity to 29 destinations worldwide.
Seventh Star Alliance lounge worldwide
The Incheon facility will become the seventh Star Alliance lounge globally.
It will join Star Alliance’s existing lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Eligible customers of Star Alliance member airlines also have access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide through the alliance’s broader lounge network.
Focus on passenger experience
Star Alliance Vice President – Customer Experience, Ambar Franco said, “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.”
Incheon International Airport Corporation Chief Operating Officer, Kim Chang-gyu, said, “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.”
The partnership is expected to further strengthen Incheon International Airport’s premium passenger infrastructure and reinforce its position as a major international aviation hub.