New ICN terminal and Korean Air lounge
Jan 20, 2019, 5:25 pm
#136
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 530
Feb 26, 2019, 8:51 pm
#137
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Posts: 2
October 2018 ~ Incheon Airport, Terminal 2
+ This was my experience as a non-transit passenger beginning my day at Incheon Airport. My final destination was Los Angeles, California.
+ Prior to check-in, I located a helpfully-placed (complimentary) baggage trolley station at curbside, an (enclosed) outdoor smoking lounge, and a free wi-fi signal; all within moments of arrival. Impressions were positive.
+ Check-in area was spacious and relaxed ~ ticket counters were well-staffed; check-in queues were nil. The departure gates were occupied by several A380’s, 777’s, A330’s, and the lone Aeroméxico 787 ~ one might think the passenger loads are near-empty because it was so quiet at the check-in area; however, I’m inclined to believe there were more transit passengers that evening because even the security checkpoints were quiet.
+ Security staff was friendly and efficient. The process took < 5 minutes; compared to previous experiences at roughly 10 ~ 12 minutes. Elite/Status/Priority lanes do not exist and that says something!
+ The airside concessions at Terminal 2 easily meet/exceed any international airport departure terminal in the U.S.A. ~ Korean Beauty Skin Care Shop, Duty Free Cigarettes at ~ $25/carton (YES, per carton!), Korean Cultural Experience Center, Video Games Arcade, relaxation areas, smoking lounges, art installations, dining for all ages, convenient stores, etc.,
+ If your goal is to NOT hoard the lounge amenities because it’s “free,” then please kindly follow along as I share how Korean Air has improved the lounge experience at Terminal 2 (compared to 50+ visits to the Main Terminal and Satellite Terminal KAL Lounges) in the following ways:
- expanded << Western >> menu options,
- expanded << Korean >> buffet items,
- “Quiet Environment” KAL Lounges thanks to lounge agent “discretion” + additional lounge access conditions/restrictions policy,
- Fewer seating = privacy/exclusivity/quieter experience, reduced capacity/greater comfort,
- Softer LED Lighting/Modern Design/Privacy “Suites”/Loungers+Ottomans for improved relaxation.
+ Baggage Claim is an uneventful affair apart from the helpful << AirStar >> robot to assist you with passenger assistance, airport-related queries, selfie-taking, and a friendly “wink” to send you on your way!
+ Beyond the Customs Declaration checkpoint, is the public area a.k.a. “Landside.” You will find currency exchange desks, SIM rental for your mobile phone, portable wi-fi device rental, ATM, 7-eleven, meeting point, access to public transportation services, additional outdoor smoking lounges, bus connections to Terminal 1, restaurants, complimentary day/half-day/quarter day tours for transit passengers interested in visiting Incheon/Seoul/Gangnam/Dongdaemun/Namsan/etc.,
~ I hope I was helpful explaining my experience as an arriving and departing passenger at Incheon Airport. Please kindly message me should you require additional assistance. =]
+ This was my experience as a non-transit passenger beginning my day at Incheon Airport. My final destination was Los Angeles, California.
+ Prior to check-in, I located a helpfully-placed (complimentary) baggage trolley station at curbside, an (enclosed) outdoor smoking lounge, and a free wi-fi signal; all within moments of arrival. Impressions were positive.
+ Check-in area was spacious and relaxed ~ ticket counters were well-staffed; check-in queues were nil. The departure gates were occupied by several A380’s, 777’s, A330’s, and the lone Aeroméxico 787 ~ one might think the passenger loads are near-empty because it was so quiet at the check-in area; however, I’m inclined to believe there were more transit passengers that evening because even the security checkpoints were quiet.
+ Security staff was friendly and efficient. The process took < 5 minutes; compared to previous experiences at roughly 10 ~ 12 minutes. Elite/Status/Priority lanes do not exist and that says something!
+ The airside concessions at Terminal 2 easily meet/exceed any international airport departure terminal in the U.S.A. ~ Korean Beauty Skin Care Shop, Duty Free Cigarettes at ~ $25/carton (YES, per carton!), Korean Cultural Experience Center, Video Games Arcade, relaxation areas, smoking lounges, art installations, dining for all ages, convenient stores, etc.,
+ If your goal is to NOT hoard the lounge amenities because it’s “free,” then please kindly follow along as I share how Korean Air has improved the lounge experience at Terminal 2 (compared to 50+ visits to the Main Terminal and Satellite Terminal KAL Lounges) in the following ways:
- expanded << Western >> menu options,
- expanded << Korean >> buffet items,
- “Quiet Environment” KAL Lounges thanks to lounge agent “discretion” + additional lounge access conditions/restrictions policy,
- Fewer seating = privacy/exclusivity/quieter experience, reduced capacity/greater comfort,
- Softer LED Lighting/Modern Design/Privacy “Suites”/Loungers+Ottomans for improved relaxation.
+ Baggage Claim is an uneventful affair apart from the helpful << AirStar >> robot to assist you with passenger assistance, airport-related queries, selfie-taking, and a friendly “wink” to send you on your way!
+ Beyond the Customs Declaration checkpoint, is the public area a.k.a. “Landside.” You will find currency exchange desks, SIM rental for your mobile phone, portable wi-fi device rental, ATM, 7-eleven, meeting point, access to public transportation services, additional outdoor smoking lounges, bus connections to Terminal 1, restaurants, complimentary day/half-day/quarter day tours for transit passengers interested in visiting Incheon/Seoul/Gangnam/Dongdaemun/Namsan/etc.,
~ I hope I was helpful explaining my experience as an arriving and departing passenger at Incheon Airport. Please kindly message me should you require additional assistance. =]
Mar 3, 2019, 7:54 pm
#138
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: ATL
Programs: Skypass, IHG
Posts: 161
October 2018 ~ Incheon Airport, Terminal 2
+ This was my experience as a non-transit passenger beginning my day at Incheon Airport. My final destination was Los Angeles, California.
+ Prior to check-in, I located a helpfully-placed (complimentary) baggage trolley station at curbside, an (enclosed) outdoor smoking lounge, and a free wi-fi signal; all within moments of arrival. Impressions were positive.
+ Check-in area was spacious and relaxed ~ ticket counters were well-staffed; check-in queues were nil. The departure gates were occupied by several A380’s, 777’s, A330’s, and the lone Aeroméxico 787 ~ one might think the passenger loads are near-empty because it was so quiet at the check-in area; however, I’m inclined to believe there were more transit passengers that evening because even the security checkpoints were quiet.
+ Security staff was friendly and efficient. The process took < 5 minutes; compared to previous experiences at roughly 10 ~ 12 minutes. Elite/Status/Priority lanes do not exist and that says something!
+ The airside concessions at Terminal 2 easily meet/exceed any international airport departure terminal in the U.S.A. ~ Korean Beauty Skin Care Shop, Duty Free Cigarettes at ~ $25/carton (YES, per carton!), Korean Cultural Experience Center, Video Games Arcade, relaxation areas, smoking lounges, art installations, dining for all ages, convenient stores, etc.,
+ If your goal is to NOT hoard the lounge amenities because it’s “free,” then please kindly follow along as I share how Korean Air has improved the lounge experience at Terminal 2 (compared to 50+ visits to the Main Terminal and Satellite Terminal KAL Lounges) in the following ways:
- expanded << Western >> menu options,
- expanded << Korean >> buffet items,
- “Quiet Environment” KAL Lounges thanks to lounge agent “discretion” + additional lounge access conditions/restrictions policy,
- Fewer seating = privacy/exclusivity/quieter experience, reduced capacity/greater comfort,
- Softer LED Lighting/Modern Design/Privacy “Suites”/Loungers+Ottomans for improved relaxation.
+ Baggage Claim is an uneventful affair apart from the helpful << AirStar >> robot to assist you with passenger assistance, airport-related queries, selfie-taking, and a friendly “wink” to send you on your way!
+ Beyond the Customs Declaration checkpoint, is the public area a.k.a. “Landside.” You will find currency exchange desks, SIM rental for your mobile phone, portable wi-fi device rental, ATM, 7-eleven, meeting point, access to public transportation services, additional outdoor smoking lounges, bus connections to Terminal 1, restaurants, complimentary day/half-day/quarter day tours for transit passengers interested in visiting Incheon/Seoul/Gangnam/Dongdaemun/Namsan/etc.,
~ I hope I was helpful explaining my experience as an arriving and departing passenger at Incheon Airport. Please kindly message me should you require additional assistance. =]
+ This was my experience as a non-transit passenger beginning my day at Incheon Airport. My final destination was Los Angeles, California.
+ Prior to check-in, I located a helpfully-placed (complimentary) baggage trolley station at curbside, an (enclosed) outdoor smoking lounge, and a free wi-fi signal; all within moments of arrival. Impressions were positive.
+ Check-in area was spacious and relaxed ~ ticket counters were well-staffed; check-in queues were nil. The departure gates were occupied by several A380’s, 777’s, A330’s, and the lone Aeroméxico 787 ~ one might think the passenger loads are near-empty because it was so quiet at the check-in area; however, I’m inclined to believe there were more transit passengers that evening because even the security checkpoints were quiet.
+ Security staff was friendly and efficient. The process took < 5 minutes; compared to previous experiences at roughly 10 ~ 12 minutes. Elite/Status/Priority lanes do not exist and that says something!
+ The airside concessions at Terminal 2 easily meet/exceed any international airport departure terminal in the U.S.A. ~ Korean Beauty Skin Care Shop, Duty Free Cigarettes at ~ $25/carton (YES, per carton!), Korean Cultural Experience Center, Video Games Arcade, relaxation areas, smoking lounges, art installations, dining for all ages, convenient stores, etc.,
+ If your goal is to NOT hoard the lounge amenities because it’s “free,” then please kindly follow along as I share how Korean Air has improved the lounge experience at Terminal 2 (compared to 50+ visits to the Main Terminal and Satellite Terminal KAL Lounges) in the following ways:
- expanded << Western >> menu options,
- expanded << Korean >> buffet items,
- “Quiet Environment” KAL Lounges thanks to lounge agent “discretion” + additional lounge access conditions/restrictions policy,
- Fewer seating = privacy/exclusivity/quieter experience, reduced capacity/greater comfort,
- Softer LED Lighting/Modern Design/Privacy “Suites”/Loungers+Ottomans for improved relaxation.
+ Baggage Claim is an uneventful affair apart from the helpful << AirStar >> robot to assist you with passenger assistance, airport-related queries, selfie-taking, and a friendly “wink” to send you on your way!
+ Beyond the Customs Declaration checkpoint, is the public area a.k.a. “Landside.” You will find currency exchange desks, SIM rental for your mobile phone, portable wi-fi device rental, ATM, 7-eleven, meeting point, access to public transportation services, additional outdoor smoking lounges, bus connections to Terminal 1, restaurants, complimentary day/half-day/quarter day tours for transit passengers interested in visiting Incheon/Seoul/Gangnam/Dongdaemun/Namsan/etc.,
~ I hope I was helpful explaining my experience as an arriving and departing passenger at Incheon Airport. Please kindly message me should you require additional assistance. =]
Nobody in the airport knew where rental car counter was, including the information counters, when I asked on a previous trip. Kiosk map search was a joke. After some prolonged lost in B1, wandered into AJ Parking and finally somebody knew (after yet another round of asking around by the staffs at the AJ Parking office).
https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/map/mapInfo.do#
Mar 21, 2019, 8:48 pm
#139
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
I find most everything about Korean Airlines to be fully acceptable. My only issue is the Prestige Lounges. When my wife and I entered the Prestige lounge in JFK it was almost empty. The lounge and facilities were fine. However, after about a half hour or so every seat was taken and it looked like a bus station. Noticed on the A380 upper deck that it was less than half full. So, most of those people in the JFK lounge were not flying in business class. Also in the Prestige lounge Terminal 2 ICN we couldn't even get a seat until a couple of people left. The lounge was packed and the noise level was worse than the outside terminal. After a few minutes we left and sat in the terminal just to get some peace and quiet. I cannot believe that all of those people were flying business class. But, maybe they were and I guess Korean needs to get more lounges, larger lounges, or restrict the lounges to people flying business class only.
Mar 22, 2019, 6:14 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
I find most everything about Korean Airlines to be fully acceptable. My only issue is the Prestige Lounges. When my wife and I entered the Prestige lounge in JFK it was almost empty. The lounge and facilities were fine. However, after about a half hour or so every seat was taken and it looked like a bus station. Noticed on the A380 upper deck that it was less than half full. So, most of those people in the JFK lounge were not flying in business class. Also in the Prestige lounge Terminal 2 ICN we couldn't even get a seat until a couple of people left. The lounge was packed and the noise level was worse than the outside terminal. After a few minutes we left and sat in the terminal just to get some peace and quiet. I cannot believe that all of those people were flying business class. But, maybe they were and I guess Korean needs to get more lounges, larger lounges, or restrict the lounges to people flying business class only.
Mar 24, 2019, 3:30 am
#141
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mid Atlantic
Programs: Delta Plat, one-time United Plat, Amex Plat, Marriott Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, Bus Pass
Posts: 1,237
Here's a question: why is so much of the food in the Prestige lounge Chinese and not Korean? Sweet and sour pork etc.
Mar 24, 2019, 9:25 am
#142
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
They did not, but I credited the flight to Skymiles, so they had my status on file as STE+ already. Maybe that explains it. It was a zero-friction check-in at the lounge, I showed them my boarding pass and the super friendly and smiling agent waved us in.
Mar 24, 2019, 8:08 pm
#143
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: ALL Gold, MPC Silver
Posts: 175
Sweet and sour pork in Korea is one of those dishes that people will expect to see at a buffet here, and besides, it's been extensively incorporated into the local culture. The same could be said for other Chinese or pseudo-Chinese dishes like chop suey(잡채) or jhajiangmien(짜장면).
Mar 25, 2019, 7:14 am
#144
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mid Atlantic
Programs: Delta Plat, one-time United Plat, Amex Plat, Marriott Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, Bus Pass
Posts: 1,237
Sweet and sour pork in Korea is one of those dishes that people will expect to see at a buffet here, and besides, it's been extensively incorporated into the local culture. The same could be said for other Chinese or pseudo-Chinese dishes like chop suey(잡채) or jhajiangmien(짜장면).
Apr 5, 2019, 12:57 am
#145
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BWI
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 767
Ja Jiang may have Chinese origins but it is definitely a Korean dish imho. Had two bowls this trip.
Apr 24, 2019, 9:14 am
#147
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Made my first visit to the new lounge. West one. Big. Lots of seats. I arrived way early from my house just to enjoy. Arrived at like 2:30-3ish. Empty. As I was leaving around 5ish, SLAM FULL presumably with all the KE evening flights and Delta action, too.
Food was fine IMO, but I’m used to eating Korean buffets haha. The sandwiches were actually good - but again maybe I’ve just been in Korea too long. Nothing really I hated.
Oh one thing I hated - the ajosshis that hogged the massage chairs in the Relaxation room. For like an hour. All 3 of them.
FYI - if you smoke. From west lounge it’s a LONG walk to Gate 247 public smoking area where she told me to go: East lounge would be way easier for that.
Food was fine IMO, but I’m used to eating Korean buffets haha. The sandwiches were actually good - but again maybe I’ve just been in Korea too long. Nothing really I hated.
Oh one thing I hated - the ajosshis that hogged the massage chairs in the Relaxation room. For like an hour. All 3 of them.
FYI - if you smoke. From west lounge it’s a LONG walk to Gate 247 public smoking area where she told me to go: East lounge would be way easier for that.