On a recent trip to Seoul Incheon airport, we took a tour of Korean Air’s lounges for frequent travellers at Terminal 2.
For our review of the flight from Seoul to London, see:
Miler Club Lounge
Who’s it open to?
Members of Korean Air’s SKYPASS Million Miler loyalty programme and Morning Calm Premium Club members in Prestige Class (business class), plus an accompanying passenger.
It is also open to SKYPASS Elite Plus members travelling in first class, and first class passengers on Korean Air-operated flights.
Where is it?
Terminal 2, Airside, upstairs on 4F opposite departure gate 248. A main reception desk will guide you to the left, with the right-hand side home to the first class lounge.
Opening times?
Daily from 0400-2330, depending on the first daily arrival and last departure of a Korean Air-operated flight.
What’s it like?
The lounge is large, with a variety of seating areas – from comfy armchairs to dining tables and booths for privacy – as well as air purifiers and screens with flight details. For a quiet work area, there’s a semi-open zone at the back featuring seats with high backs, and there’s a private meeting room which can be booked.
One of the biggest perks is the lounge’s partnership with Korean wellness brand Ceragem. As you enter, there’s a ‘well life zone’ with seven comfortable massage chairs, giving you the chance to relieve tension before a flight. You can also get work done while being pampered, with plug sockets built into the tables.
For a quieter space, check out the dedicated wellness room which has four massage beds by Ceragem along with two massage chairs – these are bigger than those in the main area and also perform leg massages. Each of the machines are housed within a private circular pod in turquoise fabric, and the room has soft, low lighting which is conducive to a relaxing atmosphere.
This wellness room also has a sanitised section, with a UVD TRON steriliser for your phone as well as an LG clothing styler – a fridge-resembling wardrobe where you can sterilise your clothes.
Food and drink
There’s a buffet of hot and cold food, prepared by the airport’s Hyatt hotel (which is owned by Korean Air), plus a freezer of Haagen-Dazs mini ice cream tubs, desserts and a selection of wines. There are also coffee machines, and tea-making facilities.
First Class Lounge
Who’s it open to?
Unsurprisingly, first class passengers on Korean Air flights.
Where is it?
Terminal 2, Airside, upstairs on 4F opposite departure gate 248.
Opening times?
Daily from 0400-2200
What’s it like?
The lounge overlooks the main concourse and has a variety of seating areas with an emphasis on privacy. Most are located within circular pods with high walls to offer privacy, and there are also several partitions.
You can pick from comfy armchairs to booths, or there’s three private rooms though these are used for VIPs.
On the wellness side, there is a room with a Ceragem massage chair – similar to the one mentioned in the Milers Club Lounge.
Food and drink
There’s a small buffet with some salads, snacks and soft drinks, as well as a freezer of Haagen-Dazs mini ice cream tubs, and a selection of wines. There are also coffee machines, and tea-making facilities.
The difference at this lounge, however, is that there is an à la carte menu and a more restaurant-style experience with table service. Catering is provided by the airport’s Hyatt hotel (which is owned by Korean Air).
The menu has both western and Korean dishes, with examples during my visit including a cheeseburger, pasta primavera and bibimbap. I really enjoyed the perfectly crispy-skinned salmon with a spring bean asparagus ragout and a lemon dressing. For a lighter meal, you can also order a range of snacks, soups and salads and gourmet sandwiches.
KAL Prestige Class Lounge
Who’s it open to?
There are two lounges for Prestige passengers located in the east and west wings of the terminal, with passengers directed to the one closest to their gate. In terms of the entry requirements, the website states:
- Prestige Class (business class) passengers on Korean Air operated flights
- SKYPASS Million Miler Club and Morning Calm Premium Club member in economy class, plus an accompanying passenger travelling with a SkyTeam airline.
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members, plus one accompanying passenger on one of SkyTeam carriers.
- SKYPASS Morning Calm Club members up to four times during the 2-year membership period
- Mileage redemption passengers using KAL Lounge Award
Where is it?
Terminal 2, Airside
West side: upstairs 4F of gate 249
East side: upstairs 4F of gate 253
Opening times?
Daily from 0400-0000 on the west side, and from 0600-2200 on the east side.
What’s it like?
We only visited the lounge in the west wing, which is far larger than the one in the east. There’s a reception area before you enter and secure lockers for your bag, should you not want to wheel it around the place.
Huge and busy, with lots of seating options – from window-side seats overlooking the main concourse to dining tables, armchairs, booths and bar stools in the main circular zone. There is also another room, which is semi closed off, which has TVs in it.
It’s comfortable for working, with plug sockets throughout (some of which are integrated into the seats) and free wifi.
For those that want a break from work, there is a relaxation room at the end of the lounge with massage chairs.
The lounge also has showers and a UV phone sanitiser machine near the exit, so you can wipe your phone of any germs before your travels.
Food and drink
Hot and cold buffet options are provided in a cafeteria-like area, as well as several coffee machines and tea facilities – though the cups are incredibly small, so you need about five refills for a normal mug. There’s also a bar area with free wines and spirits, while beer and soft drinks are on tap.
Rather than water dispensers where you can fill a reusable bottle, the fridge has small tubs of water in plastic packaging which is sadly quite wasteful.
