Cathy Pacific Lounge at ICN
 

Is it really true that the Cathy Pacific lounge at Seoul Incheon is only open in blocks of time? The website says:

So it is closed 1000-1215 and 1520-1700? I'm on CX 411 (ICN-HKG) departing at 1515, so I am OK on that flight next month, but would like o/w Emerald access for an AA flight next week - outside the operating hours. Do they kick you out in the intervals?

No direct experience on access outside of CX's flight times. But it may be a moot point for you anyway. I see that for its inaugural departure tomorrow, the AA flight to DFW will leave from a gate in the main terminal. If that's a permanent feature, the CX lounge on the concourse is a no-go. You can get out there on the tram, but no way for a departing pax to get back to the main terminal.

Frankly you're not missing much. While it's not something to complain about, it's also not the nicest lounge in the CX system by any stretch of the imagination. In the worst case, if AA hasn't made provision for status pax at a contract lounge ICN is still a much nicer airport than most in the U.S. for killing time in the main terminal area.

Correct, the lounge is open only for CX flight times. You are asked to leave if staying after that time. SQ does the same thing, for example ... pretty common for lower volume out-stations. Very inconvenient if you aren't flying CX :)

Correct. I was there 1645 from a transit flight. The receptionist inside ignored me. I had to come back at 1700, the actual, opening time.

To all: Thanks!

Yes, I see on FlightAware that the first flight today goes out of Gate 43 in the Main Terminal; if this continues next week, the only option is what aa.com says: the lounge for AA 26 being the Asiana one in the Concourse, also unreachable from the Main Terminal (actually, as you know, "reachable" but no return is possible). I wonder if the other Asiana lounge (the one in the terminal) would also be available in that case? AA can't answer this; I asked.

Update: AA 26 is going out of Gate 101 today at ICN, so the Cathy Pacific Lounge becomes a possiblity (other than the closed periods). Maybe Gate 43 yesterday was some kind of event (airport officials, etc. for the first flight).

Try that spicy noodle salad, my favorite. Otherwise, do not expect much in terms of food/beverage out of that lounge. Nothing special, but who has the recipe for that noodle salad??

OK. The CX lounge can be used, but they kick you out at 1520. Went then to the OZ lounge next door (was gladly given a card to get in - without asking - to the First Class lounge. Don't miss the CX one that much, but will try again for a CX flight to HKG in two weeks - with the wife.