Press Release: Korean Air to adopt premium economy, upgrade lounges

Korean Air is upgrading its airport lounges and introducing Premium Economy cabins as part of its service enhancement strategy. This initiative follows the unveiling of its new corporate identity ahead of the Asiana integration.

The airline will expand and renovate its existing lounges at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2.

New “Prestige Class Garden Lounges” will be built in both the east and west wings, areas added during the airport’s Phase 4 expansion. These enhancements will accommodate increased passenger traffic following the airport expansion and the relocation of Asiana Airlines into Terminal 2.

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, providing a more spacious environment for an elevated customer experience.

The First Class Lounge and Prestige Class Lounge in the west wing will undergo renovations and reopen in April 2026. Once all upgrades are complete, Korean Air will operate a total of six lounges at Incheon, expanding the overall lounge space by 2.5 times and doubling seating capacity.

The First Class Lounge will be transformed into a premium space that exceeds airport lounge conventions. The airline plans to create an elegant, refined environment offering sophisticated comfort associated with luxury hotel lounges.

Food and beverage services will be significantly enhanced with live kitchens offering fresh, diverse cuisine. Bartenders and baristas will prepare cocktails, wines, and beverages on-site. Dedicated bakeries and patisseries will serve croissants, pizzas, and desserts, while a signature noodle bar will offer freshly prepared dishes.

The airline will also renovate its lounges at major international hub airports. The lounges at Los Angeles (LAX) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will undergo complete redesigns, incorporating city-themed atmospheres.

Korean Air is enhancing the airport lounge experience by introducing a new feature in its mobile app. This update will provide passengers with real-time information on lounge location, amenities, reservations and crowd levels, making it easier to plan and enjoy their time before a flight.

Korean Air will also introduce Premium Economy seating in response to growing market demand. The airline 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.

About Korean Air

Serving the world for more than 55 years, Korean Air is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, carrying more than 27 million passengers in 2019, pre-COVID. With its global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), the airline serves 116 cities in 40 countries on five continents with a modern fleet of 161 aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees.

Korean Air’s outstanding performance and commitment to the highest level of safety and customer service has widely been recognized. The airline has been granted numerous awards including a 5-star airline rating from Skytrax as well as Air Transport World’s Airline of the Year and Cargo Operator of the Year awards.

Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, and has grown into one of the largest transpacific airlines through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.

Featured image credit to Korean Air

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