From this December, no any priority pass card holders can use KE's lounges, ICN, NRT, JFK, and other Korean domestic airports. Well, it was very easy to make priority pass card in Korea, and I think this makes KE lounges crowd, and KE disconnected the contraction.
At this point, no lounges are available with priority pass card in ICN.
MardiGrasGuys2008
Nov 12, 07, 3:53 am
This is a bad trend!
I assume this is only for their own priority passess and does not apply for FyingBlue Elite Pluss members;-l
N227UA
Nov 12, 07, 3:24 pm
This is a bad trend!
I assume this is only for their own priority passess and does not apply for FyingBlue Elite Pluss members;-l
Wonder what's your reasoning for saying "a bad trend"?
If you paid thousands of dollars for a C ticket and get stuck in a lounge crowded with Y passengers who came in by Priority Pass, is that a good trend? :rolleyes:
kkjay77
Nov 12, 07, 4:00 pm
This will leave Priority Pass lounge at ICN?
It will be bad news for PP members, but it's a good news for me as I fly KE C between ICN and JFK twice a year.
mjet_cz
Nov 13, 07, 2:43 am
The Matina lounges at ICN will be open for PP members from 20 November 2007, according to the PP website. None of the KE lounges will accept PP Members, though.
Paella747
Nov 13, 07, 7:33 am
The Matina lounges at ICN will be open for PP members from 20 November 2007, according to the PP website. None of the KE lounges will accept PP Members, though.
Thanks for the update mjet!! Does anybody have any experience with these lounges? Aren't they really just restaurants? Everything is pay once you're inside, no? :confused:
kiwanryu
Nov 13, 07, 7:58 am
There are 2 Matina lounges in Incheon airport.
One at East Wing and the other at West Wing.
Airport: seoul - Incheon International (ICN), West Wing
Lounge: matina
Location: Airside - after Passport Control, take the escalator opposite Gate 43 to the Upper Floor. Follow signs 'Transit Hotel' to where the lounge is located.
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 21:00 daily. We are pleased to announce that the Matina Lounge in the West Wing will join the program and accept Priority Pass cardholders from 20th November 2007.
Conditions: Children under 5 years are admitted free.
Additional Information: International telephone, international fax and shower facilities are subject to payment.
Lounge Facilities:
key?
Air Conditioning
Alcohol Available
Conference Facilities Available
Disabled Access
Fax
Flight Information Monitor
Internet/Dataport
Newspapers/Magazines Available
Refreshments Available
Showers Available
Telephone
Television
WiFi Available
Airport: seoul - Incheon International (ICN), West Wing
Lounge: kal lounge
Location: Airside - Level 6, 4th Floor, after Passport Control.
Opening Hours: 06:00 - 22:00 daily. Hours may vary according to flight schedules.
Conditions: Maximum of two guests - Access may be restricted due to space constraints.
Additional Information: Please note that this Lounge will no longer be participating in the Priority Pass program from 1st December 2007.
Lounge Facilities:
key?
Air Conditioning
Alcohol Available
Conference Facilities Available
Disabled Access
Fax
Flight Information Monitor
Internet/Dataport
Newspapers/Magazines Available
Refreshments Available
Showers Available
Telephone
Television
WiFi Available
jameskwon
Nov 13, 07, 10:22 pm
LoL Finally PP is ripped off ^
anyway one thing I don't really get is Matina is a just regular resturant run by Sheraton and how would they replace a "Lounge"?.
All I could think of is - Free unlimited non-alcholic beverage, and one appetizer.
================================================== =======
Anyway after this change, there is no more real free lounge left at ICN.
Two major wireless companies' (SKT, KTF) free lounges are going to be closed by end of the year, and KE is banning PP members. :o
kiwanryu
Nov 13, 07, 11:50 pm
There was wrong information. I have udated as below...
There are 2 Matina lounges in Incheon airport.
One at East Wing and the other at West Wing.
Airport: seoul - Incheon International (ICN), West Wing
Lounge: matina
Location: Airside - after Passport Control, take the escalator opposite Gate 43 to the Upper Floor. Follow signs 'Transit Hotel' to where the lounge is located.
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 21:00 daily. We are pleased to announce that the Matina Lounge in the West Wing will join the program and accept Priority Pass cardholders from 20th November 2007.
Conditions: Children under 5 years are admitted free.
Additional Information: International telephone, international fax and shower facilities are subject to payment.
Lounge Facilities:
key?
Air Conditioning
Alcohol Available
Conference Facilities Available
Disabled Access
Fax
Flight Information Monitor
Internet/Dataport
Newspapers/Magazines Available
Refreshments Available
Showers Available
Telephone
Television
WiFi Available
Airport: seoul - Incheon International (ICN), East Wing
Lounge: matina
Location: Airside - after Passport Control, take the escalator opposite Gate 11 to the Upper Floor. Follow signs 'Transit Hotel' to where the lounge is located.
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 21:00 daily. We are pleased to announce that the Matina Lounge in the East Wing will join the program and accept Priority Pass cardholders from 20th November 2007.
Conditions: Children under 5 years are admitted free.
Additional Information: International telephone, international fax and shower facilities are subject to payment.
Lounge Facilities:
key?
Air Conditioning
Alcohol Available
Conference Facilities Available
Disabled Access
Fax
Flight Information Monitor
Internet/Dataport
Newspapers/Magazines Available
Refreshments Available
Showers Available
Telephone
Television
WiFi Available
gelf
Dec 2, 07, 7:13 am
I was in Incheon airport yesterday. They are not lounges at all, but are simply restaurants for the transit hotel that are open to everyone. The only thing that you get is some of the small buffet, soda and water and that is it. Everything else is extra, and your Priority Pass membership does not get you any discounts on any of the extras (so you pay the same price as everyone for a shower, etc.). The restaurants are not that nice, and the free lounge actually has nicer chairs. A pretty pathetic replacement.
Paella747
Dec 2, 07, 8:02 am
I was in Incheon airport yesterday. They are not lounges at all, but are simply restaurants for the transit hotel that are open to everyone. The only thing that you get is some of the small buffet, soda and water and that is it. Everything else is extra, and your Priority Pass membership does not get you any discounts on any of the extras (so you pay the same price as everyone for a shower, etc.). The restaurants are not that nice, and the free lounge actually has nicer chairs. A pretty pathetic replacement.
I was so waiting for the first report! That sounds like a bummer! :td:
What measly things did they at least include in the "buffet"? What does the Priority Pass get you now, as opposed to just walking into the restaurant as a 'regular traveler'? I wonder why Priority Pass couldn't negotiate use of the small NWA lounge.... At least they have free booze.... Then again, is that even open anymore? :confused:
bobbybrown
Dec 2, 07, 2:45 pm
As far as I understand, that place is restaurant, so opened for everyone. But there is small section only for priority pass holders. I'll link where some pictures are available. Well, food section is not that terrible, I believe there are a lot of lounges with more horrible foods - or even no food at all, but obviously the seats are terrible! Not a comfortable couch, just a chair for dining table.
When I was there was the first day, and the buffet was about half what is shown in the pictures. There was no separate section (and since it is so small I don't really know what a separate section would get you).
No privacy, comfy chair or peace and quiet. Not very good.
Paella747
Jan 14, 08, 8:12 pm
Have we had any recent experiences in this new "lounge"? I was hoping we'd have more visitors by now.... I *get* to use this place in a few weeks, and those chairs look kinda stiff!
If there is another thread/forum to see more a detailed trip report for this lounge, can somebody point me to it? It doesn't look too bad but for the chairs! I'll miss big comfy chairs on this trip! :(
How much does a glass of wine cost in this place?
nd_eric_77
Jan 21, 08, 12:16 pm
Does the KE J-class lounge sell day passes (like most US domestic carriers' lounges do)? If they have a reasonable price for lounge access, this could be a better option than the restaurant-pseudo-lounge.
Otherwise, do any carriers with full-service (ie: including showers) lounges offer day passes? I really have no desire to pay for use of the sheraton's facilities, and the NW Worldclub apparently does not have showers.
nd_eric_77
Apr 28, 08, 10:32 pm
any update to this question?
SkyTeam777
Jul 20, 08, 6:09 pm
It was my understanding from reading elsewhere on FT that there are other Priority Pass lounges at ICN…is it the Asiana lounge? I think it used to be the Singapore lounge, but that has since closed?
There has to be something better than the Matina lounge?!!! This is a major hub?
I will be arriving from TPE and awaiting a colleague before heading into town. Will have a six hour wait after flying J class from TPE, but was hoping for a better PP experience. Will I arrive into the airside area to access any lounge? And any updates on this thread would also be appreciated, thanks! Sad to see the JFK lounge go too, but that wasn’t airside was it?
bobbybrown
Jul 20, 08, 6:22 pm
Now things are changed again, I may have to fix the title. KE allows priority passers only for concourse A business class lounge. But pp may use Asiana lounges at both main terminal and concourse A (business class lounges).
I heard Matina lounge is sort of restaurant, so food may be better but chairs are not comfortable. No information about "Hub lounge" at all.
There's no arrival lounges at ICN, and all pp-contracted lounges are at airside. In your case, I don't think you can use any lounges while waiting for your friend. Only departure passengers and transfers may go into airside. You'll directly guided to immigration. KE's JFK lounge is also in airside, I believe.
SkyTeam777
Jul 21, 08, 3:51 am
Do KE or Asiana charge a booking fee if I buy a refundable ticket at the airport so I can sit in the lounge with my PP card and work on the Internet, etc? Some airlines charge a fee that makes purchasing a refundable ticket like this prohibitive. And besides, using my PP card will actually give the airline money anyway!!:)
N227UA
Jul 21, 08, 9:46 am
Do KE or Asiana charge a booking fee if I buy a refundable ticket at the airport so I can sit in the lounge with my PP card and work on the Internet, etc? Some airlines charge a fee that makes purchasing a refundable ticket like this prohibitive. And besides, using my PP card will actually give the airline money anyway!!:)
Don't even think about that. While that is possible in the U.S. due to lack of departure immigration, it is not in S.Korea because you have to clear depature immigration to be in airside. If you just suddenly cancel a ticket in airside, you'll surely get in trouble.
bobbybrown
Jul 21, 08, 11:10 am
There's some facilities in landside such as good (and expensive) hotel restaurants and Korean style sauna at basement.
aceking
Jul 23, 08, 2:59 pm
That is really bad news.
SkyTeam777
Sep 8, 08, 5:38 pm
Now things are changed again, I may have to fix the title. KE allows priority passers only for concourse A business class lounge. But pp may use Asiana lounges at both main terminal and concourse A (business class lounges).
This appears to be good news! Anyone experience any of these lounges trying to gain access via PP that can verify these are all PP lounges?
SkyTeam777
Sep 17, 08, 3:12 pm
Which is better the KE lounge or the OZ lounge?
A_Lee
Sep 18, 08, 12:06 am
The KE Lounges are much better...don't even think of using the OZ lounges. Actually I'm being selfish because I use the OZ lounges and think they're way overcrowded already and would like to see less people there. In all fairness they're fairly equal, though I haven't been to a KE lounge recently. However OZ is extremely stingy with their hot dishes. The last time I was in the lounge I arrived at about 6:30 PM and it looked like they had just put out the main dishes. Within 5 minutes they were gone and they only replenished one of the dishes which was gone soon after and then no more. This was on a light traffic day. So basically the fact that they offer hot food is absolutely worthless unless you just happen to be there at the right time when they're putting it out. Really totally ridiculous food service. KE's food when I've been there is replenished much more and there seems to be no problems in getting your fill unless you wait until too late when dinner time is over.
SkyTeam777
Sep 18, 08, 12:43 pm
I thought they keep hot food out all day (at least a smaller selection of it).
SkyTeam777
Sep 26, 08, 8:17 pm
Im confused, I tried to go to the KE lounge in concourse A while on an OZ flight to TPE and use my PP card (just to check it out). I was told I was not allowed there, is terminal A only for long-haul pax?
N227UA
Sep 27, 08, 12:33 am
Im confused, I tried to go to the KE lounge in concourse A while on an OZ flight to TPE and use my PP card (just to check it out). I was told I was not allowed there, is terminal A only for long-haul pax?
Concourse A is only for foreign air carriers. The reason why you were not allowed in Concourse A is once you leave Main Terminal, you cannot return. So if you're flying on Korean carriers, you're stuck with whatever is in Main Terminal.