We stopped at the very busy but spacious KAL Lounge in Seoul Incheon Terminal 2 West prior to our Korean Air flight to Los Angeles. While this lounge will certainly not win any “best of” awards, it did offer several amenities that were appreciated.
Korean Air KAL Prestige Class Lounge Terminal 2 West Review (ICN)
Korean Air has two lounges in ICN Terminal 2…an east and west lounge that are largely mirror images. We stopped at the West Lounge.
Hours + Access + Location
The lounge is open daily from 4:00 am to 12:00 am and is located at the western end of the departure area, near Gate 249 on the 4th floor (you can access via elevator or escalator and there are other restaurants around the lounge).
This Prestige Class Lounge is open to SkyTeam Elite Plus and SkyTeam business class passengers departing Seoul on a SkyTeam flight. This is not a Priority Pass Lounge.
Seating
The lounge includes a huge open space with clusters of seating throughout the lounge, a dining area and rest area in the back, and showers and restrooms on the other side.
It was very crowded at noon…
Universal power outlets as well as USB-A ports are located throughout the lounge.
Quiet Area
There is a quiet area in the rear of the lounge with large leather easy chairs.
TV Room
Next to the bar and buffet area is a TV room with the news loudly blaring and sports on the other screens.
Food + Drink
I would call the food and drink spread respectable here. I wasn’t hungry, but if I was I am certain I could have been satisfied with a mix of Korean and Western food, a noodle bar, plus salads, fruit, and pastries.
In terms of drinks, a full-service bar was available along with self-serve juice, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. There was no Champagne on offer, but sparkling wine was 2021 Spinelli La Tessa.
Restrooms + Showers
Restrooms and shower suites are available. Ask a shower attendant if you wish to use a shower (all were occupied during my visit, so I have no photos of what the showers look like).
Lockers
If you are staying awhile, lockers are available near the reception desk.
CONCLUSION
We didn’t stay long, but I did like this lounge…and Augustine did too. It’s a bit crowded and there is nothing at all that makes it stand out as a leading business class lounge in the region, but it was functional and offered many food and beverage options plus ample plugs, Wi-Fi, showers, and a quiet area.
I’m sharing in real-time style about my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
Just a tip for next time, there’s a smaller KE prestige lounge on the other side of the terminal. Less people go there and it’s quieter. Also, once every while, if you are a FB Ulti/DL 360/KE equivalent, they’ll occasionally let you into the First Class Lounge if there are less people flying F that same day and flying in J with a ST carrier.
Will say that KE has become pretty robotic in their product and overall service. Talking to a friend who worked at Hanjin Group for some time, it’s partially due to the conglomerate having financial uncertainty from 2016 and covid didn’t do them any favors. They cut back a lot of things while making KE their “flagship subdivision.” Sure, I’ll take them over any European or North American carrier, but compared to other airlines in the region like JL, NH, or SQ, it’s lags behind.
@Malik writes : “Sure, I’ll take them over any European or North American carrier …”
No thanks . I wouldn’t take them over LH or BA if I had a RT to LHR or FRA .
Lounge has “no champagne” … Total Deal-Killer right there .
I’d take them over LH in business and economy.
If LH started flying their new business class to ICN, I’d be very tempted. But LH’s 2-2-2 vs. KE means the Asian carrier wins easily, as service on LH and KE seem similar.
What about Korean’s new business class seats?
I am really enjoying your posts! I have flown many of these routes and remember several of the lounges and hotels. Keep it up and enjoy your quality time with Augustine.
Korean’s lounges are always subpar. I remember their AWFUL lounge at NRT. They had self-serve Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac but no wine and no food, besides pre-packaged noodles.
and unfortunately not much is ceoliac safe. very disappointing.