Review: Asiana Business Lounge East at Incheon Airport Terminal 1

Asiana Airlines is a Star Alliance member airline with its main hub at Incheon Airport. It has been formally acquired by Korean Air in 2024 and the acquisition process is expected to be concluded in 2026. As of December 2025, Asiana still runs its operations out of Terminal 1 at Incheon Airport. However, it is in the process of relocating to Terminal 2 and will officially start the operations at Terminal 2 from January 14th, 2026. Asiana operates 3 business class lounges and 1 business suite lounge at Incheon Airport Terminal 1. It is believed that all Asiana lounges at Terminal 1 will be closed down in 2026. Here, we present you a series of Asiana lounge reviews as retrospective reviews and additional data points especially if you consider accessing any of the Asiana lounges at Terminal 1 before they are finally shut down.

At Incheon Airport, business class and other eligible passengers can choose any of three business class lounges operated by Asiana: Asiana Business Lounge East, Asiana Business Lounge Central, and Asiana Business Lounge West. In this article we solely focus on reviewing Asiana Business Lounge East and will save the reviews of the other two for future articles.

Asiana Business Lounge Access Eligibility

Asiana Business Lounge at Incheon Airport can be accessed by business class passengers flying Asiana Airlines or Star Airlines flights. It’s also accessible for holders of certain Asiana Club membership tiers and Star Alliance Gold member. If you have Priority Pass membership, you can also access Asiana Business Lounge at Incheon, given that you have lounge entitlement and fly in an Asiana or Star Alliance flight.

Eligible passengers for free access to Asiana Business Lounge is summarized as follows:

• Asiana Airlines business suite passenger (+1 guest)
• Asiana Airlines business class passenger
• Asiana Club platinum, diamond plus, or diamond member (+1 guest)
• Asiana Club lounge pass holder
• Star Alliance gold member (+1 guest)
• Priority Pass standard plus or prestige member with entitlement and flying Asiana or Star Alliance flight

If you fly Asiana business suite class or Star Alliance first class, or have been certified as an Asiana Club platinum or lifetime diamond plus, you can access Asian Business Suite Lounge (East), located next to Asiana Business Lounge East. The Business Suite Lounge should offer you with higher degree of comfort and better privacy. However, further details are not part of this review.

Asiana Business Lounge East Location and Opening Hours

Asiana Business Lounge East is located near to Gate 11 on the third floor of the departure hall after departure immigration check at Incheon Airport Terminal 1. The closest security check entrance that will let you exit near to the lounge is Gate 2, which is close to Asiana’s check in counters at Section A to Section C.

You can refer to the location of Asiana Business Lounge East in the map below. The map represents top view of Incheon Airport Terminal 1 layout for the third floor. Asiana Business Lounge East is located on the fourth floor, next to Asiana Business Suite Lounge (East). The locations of the lounges on the fourth floor are flattened to the same spot on the third floor.

Asiana Business Lounge East opens everyday from 05:00 – 22:00. Throughout the day, it can be crowded especially in the morning where there are more Asiana / Star Alliance flights scheduled for departure.

The Lounge Entrance

If you want to get to the lounge after clearing departure immigration process, you can simply follow the sign showing the direction to Gate 5 – 11. You will see “Asiana Lounge” sign that points to the entrance of Asiana Business Lounge East.

At the entrance, there is a mounted digital signage displaying the lounge name. Take the escalator or elevator to go up one level to the fourth floor.

As you step on the fourth floor, you will see the reception desks on your left.

On your right are entrances to Business Suite Lounge and the Business Lounge. A wall partition separates the entrances. The sign in dark blue points to the Business Lounge entrance.

If you fly with Asiana and are enrolled on Asiana Club, scanning the boarding pass on the gate will open it, which is nice since you can enter the lounge without having to go to reception. However, this is not the case for Priority Pass member that still has to go to the reception desk to confirm for access.

Seating Arrangement

After you’re admitted to the lounge, you will see communal tabletops on your left. Each table can seat up to six people. Power outlets are placed at the center of each tabletop so that it’s easy to charge devices and gadgets. Despite the location that is near to the entrance, the tables are often empty, which can then be occupied and transformed into a private nook for some productivity boost.

To the right of the entrance area is a short passageway that leads to the main seating area of the lounge.

Coffee tables and plush gray lounge chairs are arranged along the left side of the passageway. A monitor for flight information display is mounted on the wall next to the lounge chairs. There is no speaker flight announcement so if you’re uneasy about your flight, you can sit near to the monitor to stay alert on your latest flight status update.

At the end of the passageway is the main lounge area. The lounge is seemingly divided into three distinct zones sidewise and lengthwise. Private pods are placed on the left side near to the wall and on the right side near to the glass windows overlooking the tarmac.

Each wall-side private pod hosts a tan leather lounge chair with a gentle curve along the backrest and a soft, plush pillow nestled at the lower back for added comfort. A footrest is placed in front of the chair, which is nice since it helps the body to stretch out and stay relaxed while leaning back. Next to the lounge chair is a minimalist side table in muted gray, ideal for holding a drink or a laptop.

The two innermost wall-side private pods have massage chairs, making them good spots to relax and unwind when not occupied.

The windowside private pod comes with a charcoal gray padded armchair that is paired with a beige leather ottoman. It has a beige leather headrest mounted on the back panel to help support the head. If you’re sitting on the chair, you will have direct view to the tarmac, which is perfect for plane spotting. There is also a low side table that can be used to hold your drink or laptop.

In the busy hours, the private pods are usually fully occupied, which is perfectly understandable. Everybody loves a little privacy, right?

The middle area of the lounge is divided into three sections. Closer to the entrance is seating area around the liquor bar. It’s furnished with sets of swivel chairs arranged around a coffee table as well as curved teal-leather banquette seats. A high partition is installed to separate this section with the main seating area, which in local context is also a way to hide the view of adults drinking liquor from minors.

Further inside is the main seating area and the dining area in the rear side. The main seating area features single-seater armchairs with wooden side tables and illuminated shelves that store books, newspapers, and magazines. The armchairs face toward the floor-to-ceiling tilted glass windows, exposing guests to natural light during the day and giving direct view to the tarmac.

Each side table in the main seating area comes with power outlet and USB type-A port; a good design decision. However, the lack of headrest is very unfortunate especially if you’re tall and want to sit in a more relaxed position by leaning back while enjoying the view of the tarmac.

The dining area features a food bar, drink & noodle bar, and guest seats. The seats in the dining area are mostly two-top with some tables for four and a few booth seats on the side, attached to the sectional partition.

On the side near to the window in the dining area is a long table with several individual seats. If you want to enjoy a quiet meal alone while keeping your phone or laptop plugged in, the bar is arguably a good spot. Additional bonus is the scenic view to the tarmac.

Food Options

If you’re expecting for extensive food options a la SilverKris Lounge, prepare to be disappointed. The food options in the lounge are somewhat underwhelming. On the main buffet you will find four hot dishes, two soups, bread with butter and jam, two types of sandwiches, and salads.

The hot dishes change daily but in general guests will be served up two meat options (chicken or calamari and beef or pork), one or two vegetable dish, and one pasta.

On one occasion, the lounge featured crispy chicken, eggplant stir fried pork, grilled mushrooms, and oil pasta.

On another occasion, the hot dishes consisted of sweet and sour chicken, spicy stir-fried pork, chinese-style stir-fried vegetables, and white meat ragu pasta.

The soup options also vary. On the day that the photo below was taken, it was beef pumpkin soup and minestrone soup. On different occasion (not documented), creamy mushroom soup and and soybean paste stew were served.

In the bread section, loaf bread, buns, and mini croissants are available as options. They are paired with butter and strawberry jam to help sweeten the deal. Unfortunately, if you’re a cheese lover, it is not part of the offering.

The cold dishes showcase sandwiches and salads. Besides fresh vegetables, the salad bar also includes fruit slices, which are usually slices of oranges.

At the back of the dining area, near to the wall, there is a noodle bar stocked with instant cup noodles. Surprisingly, the instant noodles seem to be a popular choice among the guests. Perhaps it’s also because the main hot dishes don’t really appeal to the mass.

Drinks and Liquor

Non alcoholic drinks are served in the dining area. Guests can choose from a selection of soft drinks, fruit juices (orange and apple), bottled water, carton milk, tea and coffee on the non-alcoholic menu.

On the opposite side of the dining area, near to the entrance, is the self-service liquor bar. A selection of spirits, draft beer, canned beer, and wine is available for guests. The wine selection is pretty standard with two red and two white wine options.

Other Amenities

Power Outlet

Power outlets are aplenty in the lounge. Other than the dining area and coffee table seats, guest can plug in their devices to the power outlets installed in front of them or on their side. South Korea uses type C and type F outlet, however the lounge provides universal power outlet at 220V.

Internet / WiFi

There is no need to use WiFi access provided by the lounge since the airport WiFi signal reaches into the lounge. The airport WiFi itself is free to use without any time limit.

While we did not document the internet speed by performing speed test, remember that Korea is one of the countries with the fastest internet. So, you will not have any problem accessing the internet or streaming content.

Restrooms

The basin area of each restroom features tall mirrors and backlit panels. The washlet has bidet, a very nice addition that offers more delightfully refreshing cleanse when using the toilet.

Restrooms are properly maintained and regularly cleaned. But don’t get surprised if you see the cleaning lady entering men’s restroom.

Shower Rooms

There are four shower rooms available for use by the guests. You should go to reception to get a key if you want to use a shower room.

Nursery Room

Guests who visit the lounge with a baby can use the nursery room to breastfeed or change diapers. The space may seem minimalist at a glance. Yet, it is very clean and you can feel that is designed for privacy and comfort when caring for the baby.

Flight Info

Flight information monitor is mounted on the wall along the passageway near to the entrance. The displays are available in multiple languages, making it helpful for visitors who aren’t familiar with Korean.

Conclusion

Asiana Business East Lounge is an excellent lounge to rest and relax before boarding. The private pod is a very attractive offering especially if you’re looking for some privacy. However, the food options especially the hot dishes are limited and may get you disappointed.

If you’re craving for food while in a long layover at Terminal 1 and you have Star Alliance gold status, we recommend that you get to SilverKris Lounge for delightful tummy experience before making your way to relax at Asiana Business Lounge, especially the Business Lounge East.

For Priority Pass member, Matina Lounge has better food options that is also worth checking.

Read our previous article on locations of all the lounges at Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to get more details on the location and access eligibility for each of the lounges at Terminal 1.