Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) is working with Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sept. 8, 2026. This MoU aims to set up a Star Alliance lounge within Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Currently, Air India operates two non-stop flights weekly to Incheon from Delhi on the widebody Boeing 787 aircraft.
Star Alliance and Incheon International Airport Corporation’s MoU
The MoU will mean that passengers can continue to enjoy premium lounge access after Asiana Airlines leaves the Star Alliance on Dec. 16, 2026, following its assimilation into Korean Air.
Based on the MoU, the current Asiana Airlines Business Lounge (West) in Terminal 1 will become a Star Alliance lounge. As a result, the lounge is expected to start operations in late 2026, which is linked to Asiana Airlines’ exit from the Star Alliance. Nevertheless, eligible passengers connected to Star Alliance member airlines at Incheon International Airport will be able to easily access premium lounge services in the long-term.
Creating a Star Alliance lounge at Incheon is closely related to the airport’s role as a global aviation hub, as the airport was rated as the number one airport for global passenger traffic in the first half of 2026. Consequently, the Star Alliance lounge will serve a wide range of passengers travelling between the 14 Star Alliance member airlines at Incheon and connect them with a broader range of global destinations.
Star Alliance’s 7th lounge at Incheon International Airport Corporation
The new lounge at Incheon will be the seventh Star Alliance lounge globally, adding to a collection of lounges including Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Moreover, travellers who are members of the Star Alliance have access to over 1,000 airport lounges globally.
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