Star Alliance and Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a dedicated Star Alliance lounge at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, strengthening premium passenger services at one of Asia’s key international gateways.
The agreement comes ahead of Asiana Airlines’ departure from Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, following its integration with Korean Air. Currently, eligible Star Alliance passengers at Incheon have access to Asiana Airlines’ lounges. The new facility is intended to ensure continuity of premium lounge access for eligible travellers flying with Star Alliance member airlines.
The move also underlines the strategic importance of Incheon for the alliance. According to Star Alliance, the airport ranked as the world’s number one airport for international passenger traffic in the first half of 2026. The planned lounge will support passengers travelling with 14 Star Alliance member airlines operating at Incheon, connecting travellers to 29 destinations worldwide.
For Star Alliance, the partnership adds another dedicated facility to its growing global lounge network. The new Incheon lounge will become the alliance’s seventh branded lounge worldwide, alongside existing facilities at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Los Angeles International and Guangzhou Baiyun airports. Eligible Star Alliance passengers also have access to more than 1,000 airport lounges globally.
Ambar Franco, Vice President, Customer Experience at Star Alliance, said the agreement reflects a shared focus on maintaining a consistent, high-quality passenger experience as the alliance continues to strengthen its presence at Incheon.
IIAC Chief Operating Officer Kim Chang-gyu said the partnership forms part of the airport’s efforts to maintain stable, high-quality passenger services during the changes surrounding the integration of Asiana Airlines and Korean Air.
The agreement signals a broader effort to reinforce premium airport infrastructure and seamless connectivity as international hubs compete increasingly on passenger experience alongside network strength.
