Star Alliance (soon to be ex-Star Alliance…if the US eventually approves the merger with Korean Air) carrier Asiana Airlines has four lounges in Terminal 1 of Seoul Incheon. I visited the Asiana Business Lounge West…and wished I had stayed longer in the nearby Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge.
Asiana Business Lounge Seoul Incheon West (ICN) Review
It’s not that there’s anything singularly bad about this lounge. But there’s also nothing memorable about it…in terms of food, drinks, or any other amenities.
Hours + Access + Location
Any Star Alliance business or first class passenger or Star Alliance Gold cardholder traveling on a Star Alliance flight in any cabin of service can access this lounge. This is also a Priority Pass lounge.
You’ll find this lounge in Terminal 1 on departure level 4, which is accessible via escalator or elevator one level up from the departure level. It’s right next to the Singapore Airlines Lounge. After clearing security and passport controls, signs will lead you to this lounge, but it is near Gate 42.
The lounge is open daily from 6:00 am to 12:30 am.
Seating
I do like the design of the lounge. There is plenty of natural light and plenty of seating options. At 3:30 pm it also was not crowded (though it was by no means empty).
As you enter the lounge, there is a trio of large tables, each with six chairs and six power outlets.
Further inside, there are comfortable chairs clustered around tables. You’re seated low and power ports are limited on the sides of the lounge, but there is one for every seat in the center part of the lounge.
Tucked into a corner in the back are very comfortable massage chairs, all of which were occupied.
Restrooms + Showers
Restrooms and six shower suites are available.
Food + Drink
Near the entrance, a beverage station features beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and soft drinks. There was no Champagne or sparkling wine on offer that I saw.
Especially compared to the Singapore Airlines Lounge, I thought the food selection was underwhelming. The salad bar, sandwiches, and hot foods (calamari, stir-fried noodles, French Fries, and teriyaki mushrooms all looked anemic and not very fresh.
The coffee was a huge downgrade from the Singapore Lounge, with only automated machines available (versus barista-made coffee).
Luggage Storage
Secure luggage storage facilities (passcode protected) are available near the check-in desk.
CONCLUSION
Again, the Asiana Business Lounge West at ICN is not a bad lounge…but the food and drink selection leaves much to be desired. It’s a spacious and comfortable place to sit and work or rest…but if you are a Star Alliance flyer the better option is the nearby Singapore Airlines Lounge.
If you’re a Star Alliance Gold member or flying busines class of any Star Alliance Airlines from ICN, the best combination is having food and drinks at SilverKris Lounge, then taking shower and resting at Asiana Lounge.
SilverKris Lounge definitely has better food and drink options, however, it sometimes get packed in the afternoon, and shower suites are limited.
Asiana Lounge is a lot more spacious with comfortable chairs, and it doesn’t get packed.. Also, their shower suites are almost always available.
“but the food and drink selection leaves much to be desired”
With all the delicious food Korea has, that is what they are currently serving? Yeesh.
This is one of many reasons why I don’t get the hype around ICN. It’s a nice and very functional airport, but I simply don’t think it’s in the same league as DOH and SIN, or even HKG.
Agreed.
Airport transit tours. Book a few SkyTeam asia flights with long layovers in ICN and you can explore Seoul highlights pretty much for free, only pay for food.
It’s a pretty great airport for +economy+ passengers. It’s modern, clean and spacious with plenty of free facilities.
For premium cabins, there’s no skipping the security line (which seems to be the biggest bottleneck everytime I go through there) and the lounges sometimes seem a bit underwhelming.
I would extend the argument to the Korean Air and Asiana experience as well.
Both are great airlines for economy passengers, Bibimbap and ramen (soon eliminated from Korean Air) in-flight, attentive service, slippers and basic amenity kits for economy passengers.
But for premium passengers? Meh. Asiana is a bit better overall but the cabin is just ancient, and IFE is bad. Korean Air on the other hand is just pathetic, food options are pathetic, service are mechanic (by East Asian standards), no Wi-Fi onboard, and still uses 2-2-2 or 2-3-2 business cabin on a lot of their transpacific routes. Even average Chinese carriers like Air China and China Eastern can give Korean a run for their money on long-haul routes nowadays.
the PP lounges in T2 seems to have better food: Korean fried chicken, bulgogi, tteokbokki, etc., also had some crispy bacon on breakfast hours.
Asiana’s in full cost-cutting mode. They haven’t been too financially solid in the last few years and the upcoming KE-OZ merger just gives them no immediate incentive to invest in new planes or at the lounges. Still, as ICN is my homeport, I hope the merger doesn’t go through.
Yes, I also hope it does not go through.