In a landmark move, the oneworld® Alliance has launched its first fully branded airport lounge at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, ahead of its 25th anniversary. This collaboration with Swissport and the team behind the ASPIRE Airport Lounges marks a significant step in enhancing luxury air travel.
The lounge, located in Terminal 1, covers 555 square metres and can accommodate up to 148 customers. It is strategically positioned within a 10-minute walk from the departure gates of oneworld airlines. Seven oneworld member airlines, including American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and SriLankan Airlines, serve Incheon International Airport. These airlines operate over 60 weekly flights from Seoul, connecting to more than 900 destinations worldwide.
Access For oneworld Emerald and Sapphire Customers
The lounge’s design aims to offer a vibrant yet calming space for travelers to relax, dine, and recharge before their flights. It will be open daily from 7:30 am to 11:45 pm, except on Mondays and Saturdays when it opens at 4:30 am. Access is granted to eligible oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers, as well as First and Business Class passengers traveling on oneworld flights.
Oneworld's Vision for Future Airport Lounges: A Blend of Technology and Comfort
Gerhard Girkinger, oneworld Vice President, Customer Experience, Delivery and Membership, expressed pride in this initiative, stating, “With oneworld celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, we are incredibly proud to be opening the very first oneworld branded lounge experience for our member airlines’ customers. The new oneworld lounge is an exciting next step in our vision to making travel bright. Together with ASPIRE, we have combined refined fixtures and finishes, digital technologies, and warm and ergonomic settings to create smart and memorable travel experiences. Our new Incheon lounge resets the benchmark for contemporary travel and will serve as the blueprint for future oneworld lounges in select airports around the world.”
David Collyer, Swissport International AG Global Vice President Executive Lounges, also commented on the collaboration: “We are thrilled to collaborate with oneworld on our first joint lounge concept and are very pleased with the result. Leveraging our expertise as the go-to partner for airlines to outsource their complex hub and large base operations, Swissport and our ASPIRE team are committed to bringing the same standard of excellence to oneworld’s new lounge business.”
This new lounge exemplifies oneworld’s commitment to enhancing the travel experience for its customers.
Jochem Straatman, D/DOCK Art Director, said: “It was exciting to transform the highly dynamic but digital oneworld brand into a tangible and elegant and sophisticated 3D space for the first time.
“We have created an engaging lounge with its own distinct oneworld identity which has been designed as a vibrant integration of smart digital technologies to boost connectivity and fun.”
Tatiana Otani Nishi, D/DOCK Interior Designer, said: “Through careful design, with features reflecting its South Korean location we have delivered a modern and original premium lounge experience which makes travel feel easy, comfortable and enjoyable.”
