Asiana has its own lounges at its main hub in Seoul International Airport, and at Gimpo Airport. Elsewhere, other airlines lounges are used.

In London (LHR), the Star Alliance joint lounge is used (T1, right after security, Open 0500-2200). In Paris there is also the joint Star lounge (Near Salon secter on 11st floor, open 0530-2230), while in Frankfurt there is the Senator lounge for Star Golds, while business class passengers have to make do with the LH business class lounge (Near B EAST B43-B48 gate, open 0530-2230).

Incheon Asiana Business class lounge

In Sydney Asiana have recently swaped from the Qantas lounge to the Air NewZealand lounge (58-59 gate 3rd Floor, open 0530-2130). In Bangkok there is the Louis' Tavern CIP Lounge (E Concourse) but the Asiana lounge may be better, if a longer walk from the gate normally used. Singapore has the Premier Club, Hong Kong oddly has the Dragon Airline lounge (Level-7 near Gate16, open 0600-0030) but the United or Thai lounges are better. In America, there is a wide choice, with New York having The Lounge (west rear side on the 4th floor on terminal 4), LA using the joint Star Alliance effort, San Francisco using the CI (Dynasty Lounge, on the 4th floor of the Asiana Airlines office building) and Chicago uses the Swiss International airlines lounge.

Seoul Incheon - ICN - Asiana Lounges

Incheon Asiana First class lounge

There are two Business Class lounges available at Asiana's hub in Seoul Incheon Airport. The Asiana Lounge Seoul is used exclusively for Asiana flights, in the main concourse, and the other one is in Concourse A, and used for all Star Alliance flights, but operated by Asiana. In any event there isn't any real significant difference that I've noticed between the two, except the Concourse A lounge also has hot food at 1530. However, because there is a one way train to the Satelitte, you can't use the Concourse A lounge if you are on an Asiana flight. There is a convenient Map of the Asiana Business Class Lounge Incheon Airport so you can find them.

In the main concourse, which is used by all Asiana flights (but not Star Alliance codeshares) there are two separate lounges, for First Class, and for Business Class. The location of the lounges is ideal, right in the centre of the airport, at the junction of the T. They are immediately after passport control: double back, and take the escalators upwards. The two doors for First and for Business are separate, but on the same landing which also has a snack bar, and the two paid for lounges.

One slight confusion you may have is that there are signs pointing at both lounges, and below this there is a Star Alliance Gold sign: in fact, Gold's can only go into the Business section, with Asiana's Diamond Plus and Platinum going into First.

Both lounges are superb examples of their type: Light, airy, neutral and sedate, the hard product - the furnishings - are world class: if only all lounges were built this way. It's let down a bit by the crowds and the poorer food in business, but these two lounges are definitely worth a trip.

Incheon Asiana First class lounge

Seoul Incheon - ICN - First Class Main Concourse Asiana lounge

By gate 42 Open 0500-2100
Access for First Class & Asiana Diamond Plus & Platinum
This lounge is on the left hand side of the lounge pair, and as you cross the bridge above the Seoul Incheon terminal, you are slowly sized up by the girls on the entrance to see if you've got the right type of plastic to get in. The First lounge is certainly a step up from the business section: it is good to see Asiana maintaining the difference between the two. There are large bookshelves along the walls (although spot that there are only about 5 different books, with dozens of copies of each), and its obvious the designers tried to make it look like an English country house drawing room. As you walk in there is a huge flat screen TV (normally on BBC World), and in the central area there are lots of very comfortable sofas. Along the windows four smaller more private sitting areas, rather like having your own cabin on a ship, although the view of the planes is restricted by blinds here. Finally, at the far end in front of the dining area is a grand piano, although it is never played.

Incheon Asiana First class lounge bar

The significant difference in the First lounge is the food. At the far end, past the dining area, there is a chilled cabinet with salmon, ham, and seafood. Beside it there are some some amazing deserts. To the right of this there are three hot food cabinets (with breakfast in the morning, noodles in the afternoon) which are continually topped up by the chef who has a kitchen around the corner. On the left is an ice cream cabinet with lots of Häagen-Dazs bars & tubs.

Incheon Asiana First class lounge. Note the small private seating areas on the right.

The drinks section are impressive, with spirits including Johnny Walker Blue, plus Bombay Saffire Gin, Baileys (not chilled) Jack Daniels, Martini, Smirnoff Red Vodka, Campari, and Bacardi Rum. Sparkling Wine is Moet, in an ice bucket, however there is only one type of white (again in an ice bucket) and two reds beside the spirits, which is a bit disappointing considering the rest of the selection. You may hunt in vain for wine or champers glasses: in fact the very pretty ones on the shelf which look as if they are just for decoration are for use.

Incheon Asiana First class lounge food

As you enter the lounge on the right is a computer room with four laptops, a printer and a photocopier. Straight ahead as you walk through is a newspaper rack, although the selection here is very poor, with only a few Korean papers, and some travel magazines. There are two more magazine racks in the small private sitting areas. At the far end on the right are the showers: there is never a queue, and the woman handing out towels is often glad for something to do. On the left is the bathroom, with classy square taps. Finally, if you double back at the far end there is a DVD viewing room, with four large comfortable seats and good flatscreen TVs. DVDs are available from reception, and there are also normally some left in the drawers below the players.

The staff in the lounge are very attentive: sometimes too attentive. You only have to wander over to the food area and someone will ask if they can bring you anything. While this is a nice touch, if you are bored and just wandering over to see what there is, you do get the feeling of a nagging servant at your arm.

Incheon Asiana Business class lounge

Seoul Incheon - ICN - Business Class Main Concourse Asiana lounge

By gate 42 Open 0500-2100
Access for First & Business Class, Asiana Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Platinum, and Gold Star Alliance
This lounge is on the right of the pair, and again features a bridge to get to it. It is much larger than the Business side, and covers a big chunk of both sides of the upstairs area above the shops. The lounge is split into several clearly defined areas: dining tables beside the food area, a large rack of seats surrounding the two large flatscreen TVs, and more casual seating areas in the main body of the lounge. There is yet another Grand Piano that noone ever plays. The large bookshelves along the wall give the feeling of being in a modern hotel, although there are again just the usual rack of the same four or five books. Annoying, these bookshelves fill up a large chunk of one wall, however if you want to look at the planes, on the right beside the bar there is a small area with stools and a great view (although note that taking photographs of airplanes at Incheon is illegal, and this rule is rigorously enforced).

Incheon Asiana Business class lounge

The Bar was fully equipped with a large range of spirits, however they are noticably a step down from those in First. There is Johnie Walker Black, with Smirnoff Red, Bacardi rum, Gordon's gin, Cinzano, Chivas Regal, Canadian Club, and Hennessy VSOP. Sparkling Wine is Beringer sparkling rose(but you need to ask for this), and with two types of wine in a wine bucket. There is draft beer on tap, and chilled glasses in the fridge. However the beer tap just says "beer", with no indications of what type it is.

Incheon Asiana Business class lounge

In front of the bar area is the food. There is salad 24 hours a day, in large tubs in the fridge. Beside this are two hot tubs, however hot food only arrives at breakfast (at 0730), lunch (1200), and tea time (1800). There is only a fixed quantity of food at both lounges and once the food is gone they will not prepare anymore until the next serving time. Next to this the Chef's Corner where there is a chef making a different meal a day. Sometimes it is bibimbab with seasoned spring greens, other times hwajeon (pan-fried rice cakes with flower petals), and if you are lucky, fresh strawberries and a strawberry shake. The chef comes from the Westin Chosun Hotel.

Incheon Asiana Business class lounge

At the nearside to the room are four snoozing areas, however it's not great for having a kip, as there's a huge window infront of you, and the sun really can beat down. Beside this are the showers, and showers can be a problem, because of the vast number of transiting passengers who all want a shower at the same time: there can be a real queue in the early evenings, at around 7pm. It is often best to queue for the shower first, before getting something to eat.

There is free Wifi in the lounge, and also 12 Computers, in the business area beside the reception desk, plus a fax and photocopier. No boarding calls are made in the lounge, however there is Business priority boarding so it shouldn't be too much of a rush anyway.

London Heathrow - LHR - Asiana Business Class lounge

Terminal 1, after security Open 0500-2200
Access for Business Class, Asiana Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Platinum, and Gold Star Alliance

London LHR Star Alliance lounge used by Thai Airways

At London Heathrow, Asiana use the brand new Joint Star Alliance lounge in Terminal 1. It is after security, and then you walk right through the shops, and right again into the main square: the lounge is hidden in the corner, to the right of WHSmiths.

The lounge is very large, but rather dull. Food is pretty good, with a hot option available for the Asiana flight so you can eat in the lounge before getting on board. Food is often curry, with salads and sandwiches also available.

London LHR Star Alliance lounge used by Asiana

The bar is rather poor, with bottles of Gin, Vodka, VSOP, Bacardi Rum, and Whisky with Jack Daniels, Famous Grouse, and Jamesons. There is just one type of white, two types of red, and a rose wine. Most of these are pretty cheap and nasty versions. There is a beer pump for Grolsh, and - rare for a lounge - Magners cider in bottles in the fridge, along with bottles of Becks and cans of Guinness.

There are showers in the lounge, and free Wifi, but no computers.

Full details of this lounge are contained in the bmi pages, under the Joint Star Alliance LHR Lounge section.

Note that you might be better off going to the bmi Great British Lounge by gate 5. This has a much better atmosphere, great views of the runways, and a lovely bar called The Local. Again, details of the London Heathrow Great British Lounge are contained in the bmi pages, under the Great British Lounge section.

Sydney - SYD - Asiana Business Class Lounge

Terminal C, level 3 above Gate 53 Open 0615-2230
Access for First & Business Class, Asiana Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Platinum, and Gold Star Alliance

Sydney Air New Zealand lounge used by Asiana

At Sydney, Asiana make use of the Air New Zealand Lounge in Terminal C. It is a vast roomy concourse with big squasy arm chairs and large windows giving great views overlooking the runway. There used to be a separate First Class section on the right, however this area has now been merged with the main part of the lounge.

There is a good bar area with 4 types of Kiwi whites and red, a Kiwi sparkler, and half a dozen types of beer in the fridge, plus vodka, Bacardi, Bunderberg rum, Gin & Brandy. However with the thai flight leaving at 9am, you'd be a brave passenger to work your way through these before boarding.

Food is equally good, with some flights leaving early in the morning there in time for the cooked Kiwi breakfast including sausages, tomatoes, and a strange cheese flan type thing. There is also a rare delight of a pancake making machine, and maple syrup is in the jug.

Sydney Air NewZealand lounge bar area

Newspapers are on the top of the shelving Units, with the Sydney Morning Herald, and the Financial Review, but no Korean papers. There is a small business centre at the far end of the lounge, and three computers. There are also two sets of showers: in the main lounge, and around the corner of the old First section.

Full details of this lounge are contained in the Air New Zealand pages, under the Sydney Lounge section.

Asiana Frankfurt Lounges

Travelling on Asiana in First Class means you can use the new Lufthansa lounge at the airlines hub in Frankfurt. The Senator lounge is the first on the Lufthansa network with a spa. ...read more here

For the regular Asiana flights to Frankfurt, Asiana use the Lufthansa lounges.

Frankfurt The new Lufthansa Senator Lounge in pier B

At Frankfurt, remote stands are used a lot by Asiana, and this involves a sometimes lengthy bus ride once you're off the plane. The lounges can be quite a hike from the gates, and they don't always announce departures, so watch those monitors carefully and give yourself a little extra time to make your boarding.

Full details of both the Frankfurt Asiana lounges are contained in the Lufthansa pages, under the Frankfurt Lounge section.

Frankfurt - FRA - Asiana First Class lounge (Lufthansa Senator Lounge)

Terminal 1, Pier B (International, non-Schengen) by gate B43, top floor. Open 0530-2230
Access for First Class, Asiana Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Platinum, and Gold Star Alliance
The large new lounge has only just opened, and is a vast improvement on what went before. There are the usual large armchairs, with small tables between (which also have power sockets).Oddly, you can access it either with a First Class ticket, or in Economy as a Gold Star Alliance, but not on a business class ticket.

Frankfurt The new Lufthansa Senator Lounge in pier B

The bar is great: called the City Lights Bar, you can sit around the bar on high bar stools, looking at the lights behind it. There is a barman to mix cocktails. Service is slow, and a separate bar area has two beer taps, spirits on the glass shelf, beer in the cooler on the worktop, and 3 white and 2 red to the left of this. Food has the usual Lufthansa lounge offerings of cheese and lard, olives, rice, ham and salad. Alas the eating area is dull, with a curved wall with small tables.

There are showers and two spa rooms, offering massages for €50. There are a few computers in the business area, and free wifi, plus luggage lockers and a smoking room.

Full details of the Frankfurt Asiana First Class lounge is contained in the Lufthansa pages, under the Frankfurt Lounge section.

Frankfurt - FRA - Asiana Business Class lounge (Lufthansa Lounge)

Pier B - International (left and right rotundra) Open 0600-2200
Access for First & Business Class, Asiana Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Platinum, and Gold Star Alliance
The Asiana Business Class lounges in Frankfurt is in the central part of both rotundra in pier B, reached by the spiral staircase right next to the gates.

Frankfurt Business lounge Pier B

There are drinks and nibbles provided, showers, and free Internet. There is also a big sleeping room. Take a circuit of the lounge as you walk in to check out all the facilities - its on a circle, so you can walk all the way round.

The bar has an OK choice is good with excellent coffee, two types of wine, and Sparkling Wine (or rather "Lufthansa Brut").

Full details of the Frankfurt Asiana Business Class lounge is contained in the Lufthansa pages, under the Frankfurt Lounge section.