Korean Air has reopened its Prestige East lounge at Incheon International airport with a self-service instant noodle library where travellers can prep their own ramyeon.

Korean Air has unveiled a renovated Prestige East lounge (Left) at Seoul Incheon International airport Terminal 2, placing a customisable ramyeon (the South Korean version of instant noodles) library at the centre of the experience.

The free ramyeon library allows passengers to choose from a range of instant noodles and toppings before cooking them on automated machines. The process is self-guided and quick, designed to fit easily into the pre-flight routine.

By giving travellers control over what they eat and how it is prepared, Korean Air is turning a cheap, familiar comfort food into a novel airport ritual. 

JETLAG NOODLES - COMING SOON

Globetrender founder Jenny Southan is so convinced of the alignment between instant noodles and travel that she has co-founded a new brand called Jetlag Noodles.

She is planning to sell wholesale to airlines, hotels, airport lounges and cruise ships from summer 2026. The concept has won approval from Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson, who says it's "a great idea!"

The revamped Korean Air lounge measures 1,553 sqm and has seating for 192 passengers, and the design takes cues from hotel lounges rather than traditional airport interiors, with open layouts, varied seating zones and clear separation between dining, work and relaxation areas.

Alongside the ramyeon library, the lounge introduces several new experiential spaces. One of these is Cooking Studio L’atelier, operated with chefs from the Grand Hyatt Incheon.

Here, passengers can book short, participation-based classes such as chocolate bark making. Reservations are made on site and the sessions are designed to be informal and accessible, even for travellers with limited time before departure.

Another addition is an arcade room aimed at families and younger travellers. It includes photo booths, claw machines, air hockey and car racing games. This area reflects a broader shift in airport lounge innovation, recognising that not all passengers want a calm, silent environment and that play can be part of the premium travel experience.

Shower facilities are available, as well as work-friendly zones designed for passengers who need to use laptops or take calls before boarding.

Digital services are also built into the lounge experience. Passengers using vouchers or mileage can reserve lounge access in advance through the Korean Air website or mobile app. First class and prestige class passengers, along with SkyTeam Elite Plus members, continue to receive priority access without needing to book ahead.

To reduce congestion, Korean Air has introduced real-time crowd monitoring. Data from automated entry gates is used to show current crowd levels on the airline’s digital platforms, helping passengers decide when to visit.

During busy periods, a mobile queuing system alerts passengers when seats become available. These tools are designed to make the lounge feel more predictable and less stressful, particularly during peak travel times.

The Prestige East (Left) Lounge is located on the fourth floor of Terminal 2, opposite Gate 253. Its reopening forms part of a wider expansion programme at Incheon Terminal 2, linked to Korean Air’s planned integration with Asiana Airlines.

The airline completed the first phase of its lounge renewal project in August 2025, opening a redesigned Miler Club, the Prestige East (Right) Lounge and two Prestige Garden lounges at either end of the terminal.

Further renovations are planned. Korean Air expects to complete updates to its First Class Lounge and Prestige West Lounge by the first half of this year. Once all projects are finished, the airline’s total lounge area at Terminal 2 will grow from 5,105 sqm to 12,270 sqm. Seating capacity will increase from 898 to 1,566 seats, almost doubling the number of passengers who can be accommodated at any one time.