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Oneworld Alliance Opens Its First Branded Airport Lounge in Seoul (ICN)

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Ryan Smith
Edited by: Stella Shon
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The Oneworld alliance’s first-ever branded lounge is now open at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN).

Travelers in premium cabins on a Oneworld alliance flight (or those with elite status in select frequent flyer programs) now have a hot new lounge option. Here’s what you need to know.

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The New Oneworld Lounge at Seoul ICN

In 2019, the Oneworld alliance announced plans to launch branded lounges at airports around the world, similar to what you’ll find with SkyTeam and Star Alliance.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed those plans down, but now we have positive news: The alliance’s first lounge is officially open.

Oneworld Lounge Seating
There’s a mix of lounge chairs and sofas with shared outlets. Image Credit: Oneworld

Previously, Jeju Air occupied this 6,000-square-foot space on the fourth floor. This space can accommodate up to 148 travelers at a time.

While the Incheon airport already boasts several great lounges, the new Oneworld alliance lounge is a cut above, thanks to stylish design choices.

Oneworld Lounge ICN
Phone booths are available near the bar. Image Credit: Oneworld

The lounge is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. (though it opens at 4:30 a.m. on Mondays and Saturdays).

Oneworld Lounge Food and Drink
A buffet-style lounge spread with food and drink. Image Credit: Oneworld

The Oneworld lounge is found near Gate 28 in Terminal 1, which is home to 8 of the 13 Oneworld airlines operating at ICN. The lounge is “no more than a 10-minute walk from the furthest oneworld airlines’ departure gates,” according to the alliance.

How To Access the Oneworld Lounge at Incheon

Oneworld airlines operate more than 60 weekly flights to the South Korea airport, offering connections to more than 900 destinations worldwide.

For those holding elite status with a Oneworld member airline, Emerald and Sapphire members receive complimentary access to Oneworld lounges worldwide. Until today, these have been operated by individual airlines (or other third parties).

Oneworld Lounge ICN Seating
Make your own coffee and tea, available near the departures board. Image Credit: Oneworld

Additionally, passengers in premium cabins — including business or first class — also get access to these lounges, regardless of their elite status (or lack of).

Hot Tip:

Here’s everything you need to know about the Oneworld alliance, including the benefits that come with holding status with any of the 13 member airlines.

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Final Thoughts

During pre-pandemic interviews, Oneworld executives said they saw opportunities to open lounges in up to 30 airports worldwide. That goal is closer to reality, as the Incheon location is the first global lounge for Oneworld (note that the “Oneworld” lounge at LAX is not actually owned and operated by the alliance).

Having a Oneworld lounge option is a fantastic addition at airports where other alliances dominate. We should see more of these lounges soon, given the alliance’s growth plans.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and is letting his wife choose their destinations, including revisiting some favorites. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, Point.me, and Forbes Advisor.

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