Review: Asiana Lounge (Domestic) at Seoul Gimpo

In 2018, Asiana Airlines opened a new lounge in Seoul Gimpo Airport’s Domestic Terminal. More than five years later, I finally had a chance to check it out prior to boarding a flight to Jeju on my recent trip to Africa.

Continue reading this review to see what the lounge was like.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Airport.

Location & Opening Hours

The most important change Asiana Airlines (and Korean Air) made when renewing its domestic lounge at Seoul Gimpo was moving the lounge from the public area to airside, i.e. to the area after security check. With that, one does not need to account for (and guess) the time it will take to clear security check when planning the time to leave the lounge.

Getting to the lounge is easy. Once you clear security, turn right and you will see an elevator, which will take you to the floor above the main departures level.

While there were no opening hours posted on the lounge’s door, according to the Star Alliance website, the lounge is open daily from 5AM to 8PM. If that is indeed the case, that would cover most but not all Asiana Airlines’ domestic departures out of the airport.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Location
The new lounge is located after security check.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Location
Elevator leading to the lounge.

Entry Requirements

The domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Airport follows the standard Star Alliance lounge access policy.

The following passengers departing on an Asiana Airlines (the only Star Alliance airline using the terminal) flight out of the airport’s domestic terminal can use the lounge free of charge:

While prior to the lounge’s move and renewal Priority Pass members could use the lounge too, that is not the case anymore.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Reception
Reception.

Layout, Seating & Other Facilities

Next to the reception were eight baggage storage lockers that could fit any size carry-ons. To the left of those was a short hallway that led to the lounge, which consisted of one room.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Baggage Storage
Baggage storage lockers.

Looking from the entrance into the lounge, there was a small buffet counter with a limited selection of drinks and snacks (more on that later) on the left side.

It was separated from the rest of the lounge by a wooden partition.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Buffet
Buffet.

The main seating area in the middle of the lounge consisted mainly of rows of lounge chairs. While there was a large TV mounted on the wall bordering the area, the chairs were placed perpendicular to it.

Additionally, along the partition separating the area from the buffet was a bench lined with tables and chairs.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Seating
Main seating area overview.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Seating
None of the seats were facing the TV.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Seating
In addition to lounge chairs, there were also some dining tables.

Lastly, along the windows, which overlooked part of the terminal’s exterior and parking lot, was a counter. While the views were not exciting, the windows at least let some natural light into the lounge.

At two of the seats along the counter, laptops were available for guests to use. That said, essentially everyone has their own connected device on them at all times these days, I wonder how much usage they see and whether the lounge would be better off without the laptops essentially blocking two seats.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Seating
Counter along the windows.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Seating
Laptop available for use by guests.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo View
The rather uninspiring view from the lounge.

As one would expect from a lounge that opened just a few years ago, there were plenty of power outlets and USB-A charging ports.

It was especially nice that the power outlets were universal, eliminating the need for plug converters for travelers from most countries.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Power Outlet
Power outlet.

One last thing worth noting is that while there were no showers, there were restrooms inside the lounge.

Drinks

The domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo offered a limited selection of soft drinks. There were no alcoholic drinks.

A variety of soda (Chilsung Cider, Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Lime, Mountain Dew, and two flavors of Tams Zero) were available from a dispenser. Additionally, there were orange juice, apple juice, and water in pitchers.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Soda
Soda dispenser.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Juices
Water and juices.

For those preferring a hot drink, there was an espresso machine.

Black, green, and peppermint (I appreciated that one) tea were available as well.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Coffee
Coffee.
Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Tea
Tea.

Food

Given that the lounge serves passengers departing on sub-one-hour domestic flights, there was, unsurprisingly, no proper food to speak of. That said, there was a selection of packaged snacks including mini muffins and crackers.

Domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo Snacks
Snacks.

Domestic Asiana Lounge Seoul Gimpo Summary

Like the old domestic Asiana Lounge at Seoul Gimpo, the new one continues to be nothing to write home about. That said, that is to be expected from a domestic lounge in a country where flights are mostly an hour or so long. Still, the lounge, which was modestly occupied during my visit, provided a comfortable space to get some work done for a couple of hours before catching my flight.

What is more, the fact that it was moved airside made for a much less stressful stay as I did not need to think about what time to leave the lounge in order to clear security and reach my gate on time.

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