Korean Air Lounge Review: ICN’s Prestige Lounge (Seoul)
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
Let’s take a look at what you can expect in the Korean Air Prestige Lounge at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN).
This is the Korea Air Prestige West Lounge in Terminal 2. Passengers on Delta and other SkyTeam Alliance airlines have access.
As I sit in the lounge writing this, someone behind me is literally talking about how unimpressive and unsatisfying this airport lounge is.
Personally, I see lounge access as a privilege, so I won’t complain about any of them. With that said, the KAL lounge at ICN isn’t one of the nicest I’ve been to.
Lounges at Incheon (ICN) Airport Near Seoul
Incheon International Airport is home to more than 20 airline lounges.
Korean Air, and China Eastern are just two of the airlines hosting lounges for passengers.
Most of the airport’s lounges are in Terminal 1. A few are in the Main Concourse area. Terminal 2 houses 6 lounges, but a few are closed (they say, temporarily).
The Delta / SkyTeam / Korean Air Lounges at ICN
The SkyTeam website says Korean Air has three lounges at ICN, but as I write this two are closed.
The KAL lounges on Concourse A and in Terminal 2 near Gate 253 are temporarily closed (again, as I write this in April of 2023).
KAL Lounge Location
The Korean Air Prestige West Lounge is still open in Terminal 2. It’s near the departures and transfers area, at Gate 248.
Who Has Access to the KAL Lounge
Delta is restricting access to lounges, including limiting flyers with Diamond Medallion status.
The complete list of ongoing changes can be found on Delta’s website.
Delta One passengers still have lounge privileges.
Lounge access is still available to people with Delta’s SkyMiles Reserve American Express card. If you’re on a partner airline, you may have to pay $39. It’s overly complicated at this point, so the best bet is to check Delta’s lengthy list of rules, or to go try your luck with the staff at the entrance.
Generally, if you have lounge access, two guests are welcome, for a fee of $50 each. It’s up this year from $39 each.
What to Expect in the ICN SkyTeam Lounge
The decor is bright and white, with windows overlooking the concourse below.
There are several seating areas along the walls, and a circular central area split in two: One half is for laptops and work, and the other is another general seating area.
Food & Drinks in the KAL Lounge
The food looks promising, but isn’t great. The lounge features all kinds of Korean specialties from spicy chicken to beef bulgogi.
There’s a standard salad area, plus a dessert buffet with Korean pastries.
The SkyTeam Bar at ICN
The lounge bar is fully stocked, but expect tiny glasses which are often used for alcohol in parts of Asia.
Here’s a thimble-sized glass of wine, next to a banana. Fruits and vegetables also often come individually-wrapped in parts of Asia.
In addition to liquor, they serve a couple reds and a couple whites, but nothing sparkling.
The staff at the bar, and in the lounge in general, is very kind and friendly, as is typically the case.
Amenities in the ICN Airport Lounge
At the far end of the KAL lounge, you’ll find a relaxation room for naps, next to the shower area.
There’s also a TV room which you’ll see as soon as you enter the lounge.
Wrap: KAL’s Prestige Lounge at ICN
Again, I’ll never ever complain about an airport lounge! It’s still an oasis away from the gate area. And how can you complain about free food and drinks? (Unless you paid to enter…)
Still, if I’m comparing the KAL Prestige Lounge to others that are part of the SkyTea Alliance around the world, this one definitely lacks the “prestige” in its name.