Air India Passengers Welcome New Premium Travel Era at Incheon Airport with Star Alliance

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Passengers of Air India flying between India and South Korea will get to enjoy Star Alliance’s new lounge at Incheon International Airport. With this new lounge, Air India passengers travelling on the Delhi-Incheon sector will get to enjoy a high level of comfort and convenience. This new lounge will help retain seamless lounge access even after Asiana Airline leaves the Star Alliance in December 2026. The lounge will be available for other connections as well.

Air India currently operates two non-stop flights between Delhi and Incheon using widebody Boeing 787 aircraft, connecting Indian travellers with South Korea through one of Asia’s major international aviation gateways.

Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the new Star Alliance lounge, ensuring eligible passengers travelling with member airlines maintain seamless lounge access after Asiana Airlines exits the alliance on December 16, 2026, following its integration with Korean Air.

Under the agreement, the existing Asiana Airlines Business Lounge (West) at Terminal 1 will be converted into a Star Alliance lounge. The new facility is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2026, coinciding with Asiana Airlines’ departure from the alliance and providing uninterrupted premium services for eligible Star Alliance passengers.

The move reflects Incheon International Airport’s continued importance as a leading global aviation hub. The airport ranked as the world’s number one airport for international passenger traffic in the first half of 2026, strengthening its position as a crucial gateway for international travellers.

The upcoming Star Alliance lounge will serve passengers flying with 14 Star Alliance member airlines operating at Incheon International Airport, offering connections to 29 destinations worldwide. The facility will become the seventh dedicated Star Alliance lounge globally, joining existing lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Through its global network, Star Alliance continues to expand premium travel experiences, with eligible passengers of member airlines gaining access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. The new Incheon lounge will further strengthen the alliance’s commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality services for international travellers.

At the signing ceremony, Ambar Franco, Vice President Customer Experience at Star Alliance, said, “Incheon International Airport is an important gateway for Star Alliance, with several member airlines operating here. This partnership with IIAC reflects our shared commitment to delivering a consistently high-quality experience for customers. We are proud to establish a Star Alliance lounge at one of the world’s leading airports, and look forward to welcoming our member airline customers at the airport.”

Kim Chang-gyu, Chief Operation Officer at Incheon International Airport Corporation, said, “This agreement is part of our efforts to provide stable and high-quality services to passengers using Incheon Airport amid major changes, including the integration of Asiana Airlines and Korean Air. We will continue to provide full support in terms of operations and facilities so that Star Alliance member airlines can expand various networks based at Terminal 1 of Incheon Airport and provide the best services to customers.”

The partnership enhances Incheon International Airport’s premium passenger services while further cementing its status as one of the world’s most important international aviation hubs.