Made in a mold: review business class Asiana lounge in Seoul

I have no idea how much longer this review will make sense, It is unclear once the merger between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines is finalized what will happen.

The former, the one that will survive, operates from T2, while Asiana from T1 at the main airport in South Korea's capital city. If it is clear that brand and fuselage of the company that now participates in Star Alliance will disappear, nothing is yet known about how operations will be reorganized.

Location

At T1 Asiana has 3 lounges, located in three different areas of the terminal so as to more conveniently serve all the gates in the main body.

I have visited two: the East and Central, the review however will be one since they are exactly the same except for a few minor differences.

As the names hint, one is in the eastern part of the terminal, while the other is in the central part. The only difference is that the location of the first one also has the Business Suite That is, the room reserved for those flying business class.

Access

The lounges are accessible to everyone, or almost everyone. For those who hold a Star Alliance Gold-equivalent card and travel in any class, while the business lounge is reserved for those flying business class.

Asiana, however, also opens its doors, in all its halls, to Priority Pass holders, and so if you depart from this terminal you will not be disappointed. It is a Korean custom since even KAL lounges around the world are all accessible to PP titiolarians.

The lounge

As mentioned, they are all identical. In all or most of them. Past the turnstiles is an area with tables and power outlets good for working and bathrooms.

Then you enter the lounge proper.

Here it is an open space overlooking the runway.

On the opposite side of the track there are partitions with small chairs and footrests and then two boxes with massage chair.

The central part is relaxation, with lounge setup where there is alcohol island, the TV area in the central part, and then the restaurant area near the buffet.

At the opposite end from the entrance is the buffet area.

Food & Beverage

The buffet is so-so. It is not much different from what Korean offers in the nearby lounge.

A counter with a hot and cold offering, salads and snacks. A fountain with soft drinks, an area with juices, and little more.

Richer is the opposite area, that of alcoholic beverages. In addition to spirits, there is also a range of still and sparkling wines.

In conclusion

Definitely boring, sure they are clean, bright, and most importantly able to accommodate many people, but everything else is lacking and rilfects to 100% the "cold" but professional service that Asiana offers aboard its aircraft.

• Priority Pass

The verdict

Nice lounge and the fact that there are more rooms is a very good thing. Little imagination, but a lot of substance, which then is what counts. Asiana does not sell dreams, but solid certainties (at least as long as it is there)

6.5

Pro

• The view

Against

• Poor gastronomic offerings
• Boring