What Is the Best Priority Pass Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport?

What Is the Best Priority Pass Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport?

As I am writing this, I am sitting in the Asiana Business Lounge that is just one of several Priority Pass lounges at Seoul Incheon airport. Priority Pass members can access seven lounges at the airport – five in the main terminal and two in concourse A.

Priority Pass lounges in main terminal:
Asiana Business Lounge
Matina Lounge (East Wing)
Matina Lounge (West Wing)
Sky Hub Lounge (East Wing)
Sky Hub Lounge (West Wing)

Priority Pass lounges in concourse A:
Asiana Lounge
KAL Lounge

During a three and a half hour layover I had on my way from New York to Tokyo, I was able to visit three of the lounges in the main terminal – the Asiana Business Lounge, and one of each the Matina Lounge and Sky Hub Lounge. Continue reading to find out which of them I found to be the best Priority Pass lounge at the airport.

Sky Hub Lounge

Sky Hub Lounge (West Wing).
Matina Lounge (West Wing)

Matina Lounge (West Wing).
Asiana Business Lounge

Asiana Business Lounge.

Below is an overview of what each of the lounges offers to help you better plan your next transit through Incheon in case you are a Priority Pass member (or have any other way to access the lounges).

Sky Hub Lounge (West Wing)

My first port of call during the layover was the Sky Hub Lounge located in the West Wing of the main terminal. It is located on the fourth floor of the terminal, and the easiest way to get there is to take either the elevator or escalator up opposite to Gate 42. The lounge is right behind “Transfer Desk C.”

Lounge Overview

The lounge is fairly small and features a large seating area near the food and beverage section, as well as a slightly secluded relaxation area. During my visit, it was fairly busy and as such, it wasn’t very relaxing.

Sky Hub Lounge

Entrance.
Sky Hub Lounge

Main seating area.
Sky Hub Lounge

Main seating area.
Sky Hub Lounge

Relaxation area.

Food & Beverage

In terms of food selection, this is definitely the best Priority Pass lounge at Incheon airport. Besides the cup noodles which are offered in all three lounges, there is a selection of salads, soups and hot meals, and even a DIY bibimbap section.

Sky Hub Lounge

Beer tap and juices.
Sky Hub Lounge

Soft drinks.
Sky Hub Lounge

Wine.
Sky Hub Lounge

Soda, hot drinks, and cup noodles.
Sky Hub Lounge

Cornflakes, fruits, and bread.
Sky Hub Lounge

Salad bar.
Sky Hub Lounge

Sweet pumpkin soup.
Sky Hub Lounge

Jjamppong (Korean spicy seafood soup).
Sky Hub Lounge

Penne rose pasta.
Sky Hub Lounge

Bulgogi (meat) with mushroom.
Sky Hub Lounge

Honey glazed potato fries.
Sky Hub Lounge

Fried chicken teriyaki rice.
Sky Hub Lounge

Potato gratin.
Sky Hub Lounge

Fried chicken with spicy sauce.
Sky Hub Lounge

DIY bibimbap section.

Matina Lounge (West Wing)

The second lounge I visited was the Matina Lounge in the West Wing of the main terminal. It is located in the same area as the Sky Hub Lounge – you just need to walk further past the Transfer Desk. Alternatively, if you are accessing it directly from the departure floor, it is easiest to take the escalator opposite to Gate 43.

Lounge Overview

The lounge is part of the Transfer Hotel. It features one seating area with dining tables and chairs, without any sofas or lounge chairs. Besides the main dining area, there is a separate quiet working area as well as a “business center” with some computers available for use.

While the lounge has a shower, it is subject to payment. As such, it is better to take a shower in the Asiana Business Lounge, or even at the “public” showers offered for free to all transit passengers.

Matina Lounge

Entrance.
Matina Lounge

Main seating area.
Matina Lounge

Quiet work area.
Matina Lounge

Business center.

Food & Beverage

Matina Lounge offers a good selection of meals including a variety of salads and main hot meals. Similarly to the Sky Hub Lounge, the lounge is too small and busy to be relaxing. However, the decent meal options make it a good alternative to the Sky Hub Lounge.

Matina Lounge

Soft drinks.
Matina Lounge

Cup noodles, hot and cold soft drinks.
Matina Lounge

Snacks.
Matina Lounge

Salad bar.
Matina Lounge

Hot food area.
Matina Lounge

Spicy fish cake soup.
Matina Lounge

Egg fried rice.
Matina Lounge

Seafood yaki udon.
Matina Lounge

Buffalo wings.
Matina Lounge

Chop steak.
Matina Lounge

Chicken curry.

Asiana Business Lounge

The last Priority Pass lounge I visited during the layover was the Asiana Business Lounge. Unlike the previous two lounges, this lounge is airline-operated. The Asiana Business Lounge is located on the 4th floor as well, however, in a different part of the terminal. To access it, take the escalator near Gate 28.

Lounge Overview

There are plenty of seating options in the lounge – ranging from the dining area with tables and chairs, through lounge chairs facing a pair of flat screen TVs or a piano and counter-style seating facing with apron view, all the way to cubicles with electric massage chairs. The lounge also offers showers and a business center with PCs.

Being the largest of the lounges and offering the widest variety of seating options, this lounge seemed like the best place to relax. At least during my layover.

Asiana Business Lounge

Entrance.
Asiana Business Lounge

Reception.
Asiana Business Lounge

A380 model in front of the reception.
Asiana Business Lounge

Overview of the seating area.
Asiana Business Lounge

Relaxation area with TVs.
Asiana Business Lounge

Counter with apron view.
Asiana Business Lounge

Seating around the piano.
Asiana Business Lounge

Massage chair cubicle.

Food & Beverage

While there are some snacks and hot meals, the selection cannot be compared to the food offered in the Sky Hub Lounge and in the Matina Lounge. On the other hand, this seemed to be the best Priority Pass lounge at Incheon for the people who drink alcohol as the selection here seemed to be the widest.

Asiana Business Lounge

Soft drinks.
Asiana Business Lounge

Alcoholic drinks.
Asiana Business Lounge

Nuts and cookies.
Asiana Business Lounge

Chips and pretzels.
Asiana Business Lounge

Cereals.
Asiana Business Lounge

Cup noodles.
Asiana Business Lounge

Salad bar.
Asiana Business Lounge

Bread.
Asiana Business Lounge

Vegetable fried rice.
Asiana Business Lounge

Sauteed vegetables in tumeric.

So, What Is the Best Priority Pass Lounge at Incheon Airport?

If you have a Priority Pass membership and a layover in Seoul, in my opinion, the Sky Hub Lounge and Asiana Business Lounge are the two that are worth a visit.

Depending on how hungry you are, I suggest visiting the Sky Hub Lounge for a bite either first or after visiting the Asiana Business Lounge which is good for relaxing and waiting for your flight.

The only time I would visit the Matina Lounge would be in case the food selection in Sky Hub would not be to my taste. Based on my experience, however, that seems quite unlikely.

Finally, if you have one of the limited Priority Pass memberships, and can only visit one lounge, I would suggest the Asiana lounge. While it does not offer the best food of the three, I think overall it is the best Priority Pass lounge at Incheon airport.

8 thoughts on “What Is the Best Priority Pass Lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport?”

    1. Hi Jo,

      Are you a Priority Pass member? If so, it does not matter which airline you are flying.

      If you are not a Priority Pass member then you have to either be a Star Alliance Gold member flying Star Alliance or be traveling in Star Alliance’s business/first class.

      Hope this helps.

      Keishi

    1. Thanks for your comment. Completely agree – had a similar experience in Busan recently. Asiana and Korean lounges had no “real” food (just some sandwiches and cup noodles at best) while the Sky Hub had a great buffet with two soups, numerous mains, etc!

  1. Hi there. Is the asiana lounge exclusive for asiana airline passengers? I’m flying out Incheon via Korean air and I’m a priority pass member. Thanks

    1. Hi Jerico,

      Priority Pass updated its access policy and nowadays only passengers traveling on Asiana can access the Asiana lounge. You can still access the KAL Lounge, Sky Hub Lounge, etc. with your Priority Pass regardless of the airline you are flying.

      Hope this helps.

      Keishi

      1. SU YIN HAZEL WONG

        OZ752 Singapore to Incheon then connecting AC64 10 hours later.
        Travelling Economy Class may I pay to use any of the Lounges?

  2. This review was helpful – thank you for writing it. I’m writing my short review from the SkyHub lounge where I used my Priority Pass select card with no issue. The above directions were spot on (follow the signs for transfer hotel/desk and take the elevator to the 4th floor. Once you get out of the elevator, walk straight out and veer slightly to the right around the bend… the lounge will be on the left.). The food here was better quality compared to Asiana, but as the post detailed, there is much to be desired in terms of ambiance. I really came to try the food! Ha.

    Yes, there is a ‘make your own’ bibimbap station, but the toppings were lacking. The soups (pumpkin porridge and miso), mini salad bar, fruit station, hot foods (spicy chicken, fried rice, steamed tofu and veggies) were all good – for business class standards.

    I didn’t try any of the instant hot noodles, but there looked to be a decent selection. Overall, I’d recommend this lounge for the food.

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