oneworld Lounge

Opened in December 2023, the oneworld Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport is the first oneworld-branded lounge operated by the airline alliance on behalf of its members. (The so-called oneworld Lounge Los Angeles is, in fact, operated by Qantas.)

Seoul is a perfect fit for oneworld’s foray into the airport lounge business. The South Korean aviation market is heavily dominated by competitors SkyTeam and Star Alliance. oneworld is the underdog, and the seven oneworld airlines that fly to Incheon—American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and SriLankan Airlines—had to rely on clubs operated by competitors Korean Air and Asiana.

A shared lounge isn’t just a way to pool resources; it’s also an opportunity for oneworld to elevate its brand and find its footing within the competitive landscape.

The oneworld Lounge Seoul welcomes Business and First Class passengers flying with oneworld member airlines, as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers flying in Economy. In addition, American Airlines Admirals Club members have access when flying with American Airlines, and Qantas Club members are welcome when traveling with Qantas or Jetstar. Note that unlike most lounges at Terminal 1, the oneworld Lounge does not accept Priority Pass or pay-in guests—it’s exclusively for premium and frequent flyers.

You’ll find the oneworld Lounge Incheon at Terminal 1, opposite gate 28, on the upper level opposite the Korean Air KAL Lounge. It’s a short hop from any of the terminal’s four security checkpoints, and just about a ten-minute walk to the furthest departure gates.

oneworld Lounge ICN design

The oneworld Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport was designed to impress at first sight—inside and out. You couldn’t possibly miss the entrance. Opposite the unassuming glass façade of the Korean Air Lounge is a glistening white futuristic arched hallway sporting the oneworld logo. Step aboard the spaceship, pardon, the lounge—and prepare to enter another world.

One thing is certain, the oneworld Lounge is bound to make an impression. At first glance, the décor is a bit of shock to the senses. While the three Asiana Lounges at Terminal 1 sport a conservative and understated design with a muted color palette, oneworld has taken a dramatically different direction.

It’s difficult to describe the design concept in a few words, though “memorable” is certainly a fitting adjective. There are daring statement pieces, such as a reflective silver backdrop that evokes the oneworld logo; bold and playful color choices—such as Barbie-like fluorescent pink and cyan tones in the coffee area—and otherworldly wall fixtures. The décor embodies oneworld’s “Travel Bright” tagline, almost too literally.

Eclectic and quirky elements aside, the design and layout are incredibly well thought out. Spanning just 555 square meters (approximately 6,000 square feet), with seating for 144 guests, the oneworld Lounge Seoul is compact—the club occupies the footprint of the former Jeju Air Lounge, a regional carrier’s facility—but it doesn’t feel that way, thanks to the dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows and cathedral ceilings.

The layout is what makes the oneworld Lounge Seoul truly remarkable. Unlike at the Asiana and Korean air Lounges, you won’t find boring rows of seats facing one another. Not only is the furniture arrangement creative, but you’d be hard pressed to find a straight line. Smooth curves and bespoke furniture create an organic, almost serene sense of flow. And despite the small footprint, the designers have managed to incorporate a superb range of seating options, as well as a variety of private and semi-private areas.

Entering the lounge, you’ll face a dramatic U-shaped bar, flanked by curved tabletop seating. Work or play? The choice is yours. But in any case, the layout enhances privacy—no matter where you sit, you’ll feel comfortably isolated from your neighbor. Look up and you’ll notice a mesh-wire hat-like structure above the bar, a nod to the traditional Korean ‘Gat’ hat.

Behind is a brightly decorated nook with a couch and plush armchairs. Once again, the space is versatile: the chairs rotate, so you can choose to sit with a fellow traveler or turn away from the crowds.

There are also two enclosed, fully private work booths with a desk, for those last-minute meetings and phone calls, as well as recliners facing the window.

At the heart of the lounge is the focal point of the design: an inviting curved double-sided couch with front-row seats overlooking the tarmac, complemented by cocoon-like cube chairs. A wall of lantern-shaped light fixtures adds a touch of privacy while allowing daylight to flow through the space. Once again, behind the bold and contemporary aesthetics are subtle references to traditional Korean culture: the light fixtures evoke the traditional Lantern Festival.

Further in is a “tea area”—a gazebo-like structure with booth seating. While we’re not quite sure what to make of the design, we again appreciate how the designers have created so many unique spaces with their own vibe. To the left, near the buffet, is a small dining area.

At the rear of the lounge is a quieter, more secluded zone with semi-private nooks and alcoves that are ideal for business travelers or anyone who might want a bit of shuteye.

Naturally, you’ll find power points and USB ports throughout the lounge, so charging up won’t be an issue no matter how where you sit.

oneworld Lounge ICN amenities

The oneworld Lounge Incheon Airport offers a full range of amenities. The services vary slightly throughout the day, but you’ll always find a substantial food selection, an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shower rooms, and plenty of thoughtful features such as individual workspaces and bag lockers.

The star of the show is the culinary offering. Throughout the day, you can count on a generous salad bar and three hot entrees. There are also soups and a noodle bar, as well as, of course, instant hot noodles—a local favorite. The menu emphasizes local fare, though a few international staples are also available. When we visited, the selection included pumpkin salad, pickled vegetables, gimbal, seafood soy tteokbokki, chickpea curry, and seaweed soup.

Until 3pm, the bar functions primarily on a limited, self-service basis, with a selection of local beers, a couple of wines, soju, Absolut Vodka, and Bombay Sapphire gin; though if you approach a staff member, they’ll happily craft the cocktail of your choice. After 3pm, the full bar opens, with dedicated bartenders ready to whip up both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. There’s also an espresso machine and a selection of teas, though oneworld has missed the opportunity to offer handcrafted coffee, a feature that is becoming popular at business class lounges.

Should you wish to freshen up, the oneworld Lounge Seoul features two pristine shower rooms outfitted with a toilet, a sink, and an indulgent rain shower. Be sure to inquire early, though, as there may be a wait at peak times.

Finally, as mentioned above, you’ll also find plenty of well-appointed workspaces, including two fully enclosed work carousels near the lobby, several alcoves, and highly private nooks in the vicinity of the tea area.

Other amenities include fast Wi-Fi, as well as electronic bag lockers next to the welcome desk, should you wish to store your luggage while enjoying the lounge.

oneworld Lounge ICN bottom line

The oneworld Lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport is one of the more unique airline clubs that we’ve ever visited. While current design trends gravitate towards residential aesthetics with a sense of place, oneworld has taken a radically different approach. The oneworld Lounge is quirky, vibrant, bold, and definitely memorable.

The aesthetics are sometimes a bit over the top, but the layout and furniture arrangement are incredibly smart, which helps when the lounge gets busy, as it’s a pretty compact space. The club was mostly quiet when we visited, and we enjoyed the serenity and overall boutique feel. But as soon as the space filled up, the vibe became a bit more hectic, but the club nevertheless remained a haven of peace compared to the chronically crowded Matina and Sky Hub lounges.

In terms of amenities, the oneworld Lounge Seoul isn’t lavish by any means, but it checks all the boxes. You’ll find a hot buffet, fast Wi-Fi, shower rooms, and plenty of private and semi-private spaces.

So, how does the oneworld lounge fare against the competition? Well, it the bar is pretty low overall. The Asiana and Korean Air lounges are unremarkable. While far more spacious, they’re extraordinarily bland and boring, and offer very little in terms of amenities.

Indeed, unlike other regional powerhouses such as Hong Kong, Incheon airport doesn’t have a vibrant lounge scene. With a few minor exceptions such as the lavish Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge and the more exclusive Asiana Business Suite and Korean Air First Class Lounge, the clubs at Seoul Incheon are merely functional. In this context, the oneworld Lounge stands out. oneworld’s culinary offerings, in particular, are dramatically superior to what you’ll find just a few doors away at the three Asiana business class lounges.

oneworld’s foray into the airport lounge market is an exciting development, and we can’t wait to see what the second largest airline lounge has in store. As of writing, a second location with a similar design is now open at Amsterdam Schiphol airport.