What happened
Star Alliance and Incheon International Airport Corporation signed an MOU on September 8, 2026 that turns Asiana’s Terminal 1 West lounge into a Star Alliance lounge. The space is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, after Asiana leaves the alliance on December 16, 2026 as it integrates with Korean Air.
The lounge will serve 14 Star Alliance airlines at Incheon that fly to 29 destinations. Eligible Star Alliance passengers keep a dedicated Terminal 1 lounge instead of losing Asiana access when the carrier exits.
LoyaltyLobby reports the conversion should require little work and is unlikely to shut the lounge for long.
Expect Star Alliance lounge access at Incheon Terminal 1 from late 2026, around Asiana’s December 16 exit.
- Announced
- Sep 8, 2026
- Numbers
- 14 airlines: Star Alliance carriers at Incheon that will use the lounge
- 29 destinations: destinations those Star Alliance carriers serve from Incheon
- 4Q 2026 quarter: expected start of Star Alliance lounge operations
- December 16, 2026 date: Asiana’s departure from Star Alliance
- 1,000 lounges: airport lounges eligible Star Alliance customers can access worldwide
- Where
- Incheon International Airport, Seoul Incheon Terminal 1 West Lounge
- Who qualifies
- Eligible passengers of Star Alliance member airlines
- Takeaway
- Plan on continued Star Alliance lounge access at Incheon Terminal 1 from late 2026, around Asiana’s December 16 exit.