Upgraded airport lounges and new Premium Economy cabins will form part of Korean Air’s service enhancement strategy, following the launch of its new livery and logo last month.
Announced ahead of the carrier’s integration with Asiana, the changes include the expansion and renovation of its existing lounges at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2.
New Prestige Class Garden Lounges will be built in the east and west wings which were both added during phase four of the airport’s expansion.
“These enhancements will accommodate increased passenger traffic following the airport expansion and the relocation of Asiana Airlines into Terminal 2,” Korean Air said in a statement.
The existing Prestige Class Lounge in the east wing will double in size, while the Miler Club Lounge will also be expanded. These four lounges will open in phases from August 2025.
The First Class Lounge and Prestige Class Lounge in the west wing will also undergo renovations with a reopening date of April 2026. The upgrades will take Korean Air’s tally of lounges at Incheon to six, expanding the overall lounge space by 2.5 times and doubling seating capacity.
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“The First Class Lounge will be transformed into a premium space that exceeds airport lounge conventions,” the airline said, heralding an “elegant, refined environment” akin to a luxury hotel lounge with food and beverage services to also be “significantly enhanced”.
In addition to the Incheon upgrades, the airline will renovate its lounges at major international hub airports with the lounges at Los Angeles (LAX) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to undergo complete redesigns.
A new feature in Korean Air’s mobile app will also be introduced providing passengers with real-time information on lounge location, amenities, reservations and crowd levels.
Meanwhile, new Premium Economy seating will be rolled out in response to growing market demand. The airline confirmed it will retrofit 11 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, removing First Class cabins to install Premium Economy cabins.
The first retrofitted aircraft will enter service in the second half of 2025 with a three-class configuration: Prestige (Business), Premium Economy and Economy. Fleet modifications will continue through 2026 to expand Premium Economy availability across more routes.
It’s the latest in a raft of changes for Korean Air. Last month, the airline introduced its new corporate identity with a modernised version of its signature Taegeuk symbol.
Unveiled at an event at the airline’s headquarters hangar in Seoul attended by around 1,000 guests, the redesigned logo aims to reflect Korean Air’s heritage while embracing contemporary aesthetics.
The event also saw the airline unveil its new aircraft livery, with a Boeing 787-10 modelling the new look which includes a bold “KOREAN” logotype.
Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Hanjin Group and Korean Air, addressed the audience, sharing his vision for the airline’s future. “As a unified Korean Air, we are committed to more than just transportation—we aim to connect people, cultures and the world through the skies,” he said.
“With this foundation, we will build an industry-leading safety system, elevate the customer experience and strengthen trust through open communication with all stakeholders. Together, we’ll create a more connected and better world.
“With the full integration of Asiana Airlines, our role as Korea’s flagship carrier has grown even more significant. We will bring together our expertise, refine our strengths and unite cultures to create an innovative, unmatched airline experience.”Korean Air is also collaborating with Chef Seakyeong Kim on new new upgraded inflight meals which focus on high-quality, seasonal ingredients.
The expanded menu for the airline’s premium classes places emphasis on sophisticated amuse-bouches, main courses, and visually appealing desserts. Signature Korean dishes like octopus nurungji rice and royal hot pot (Shinseollo) tie in the airline’s cultural heritage, while introducing global dishes for its global clientele.
Additionally, the airline has collaborated with luxury brands like Bernardaud, Christofle, and Riedel for tableware, Frette for bedding and Graff for premium-class amenity kits.
