Korean Air is currently investing quite a bit in its passenger experience, seemingly finally realizing that the carrier has been sort of second rate among its Asian peers. Along those lines, the airline is refreshing in its lounge network. While this includes a full overhaul of lounges at Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN), we’re also seeing the carrier’s largest outstation lounge get a much needed makeover.
In this post:
Korean Air unveils refreshed lounge for LAX
For quite some time now, the Korean Air Lounge Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been closed, so that it can undergo a full redevelopment. There’s now an exciting update, as the lounge will reopen as of March 6, 2026, following a $45 million and 22-month redevelopment.
The Korean Air Lounge LAX now spans two levels, and consists of three spaces — the First Class Lounge is on the sixth floor, while the Miler Club and Prestige Class Lounge is located on the fifth floor. The lounge spans a total of 1,675 square meters (18,000 square feet), making it around 25% larger than the previous facility.
As it’s described, the lounge’s design features floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony terrace with views of the airport interior, creating an open and comfortable environment for passengers. The interior design maximizes natural light, with warm wood textures and premium stone materials intended to embody a refined interpretation of “modern Korean luxury.”
The new Korean Air First Lounge has been designed to deliver a personalized, elevated experience, with two private suites for relaxation, a la carte dining with made-to-order dishes, and a full-service bar with bartender made cocktails.
The new Korean Air Miler Club and Prestige Class Lounge also offer an open-kitchen live station concept, where chefs prepare fresh dishes on site. Guests can also enjoy locally inspired offerings, like Southern California craft beers and a signature Los Angeles coffee blend. Miler Club passengers can also order from a dedicated menu from their seats, using a QR-code digital ordering system.
The lounge is also zoned to accommodate diverse passenger needs, with dedicated business areas, family seating spaces, and showers for pre-flight refreshment. This lounge follows standard SkyTeam lounge access rules — the first class section is open to first class passengers, the business class section is open to business class passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members, and the Miler Club is open to select elite members of Korean Air’s loyalty program.
This will be one of two Korean Air lounge locations in the United States to get a refresh this year, as an updated lounge is also expected for the new Terminal One at New York (JFK), which is long overdue.
Here’s how David Pacey, Korean Air’s EVP and Chief of Inflight Service and Lounges, describes this:
“With the opening of this flagship lounge, Korean Air will further elevate its presence at LAX while delivering a more refined and differentiated premium travel experience. We will continue to invest in our services and infrastructure to exceed the expectations of our global customers.”
Huge credit to Korean Air for this new lounge!
I’m delighted to see Korean Air open a new lounge at LAX. I’ve gotta say, Korean Air’s lounges at JFK and LAX might have been the two weakest overseas outstation lounges of any airline that I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying a lot (especially the JFK facility — it’s just grim).
So to see the LAX location get a full overhaul is exciting, as this looks like a massive improvement over the old lounge, in terms of design, food, service, and more.
Bigger picture, it’s worth noting how Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at LAX has seen such an improvement when it comes to SkyTeam lounges. The terminal used to just have the Korean Air Lounge, which has now undergone a full overhaul. However, on top of that, we’ve also seen the opening of the Air France Lounge and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, both of which are great additions.
So SkyTeam flyers really have a lot of choices, and on top of that, select SkyTeam premium passengers can also visit the Delta One Lounge, which is exceptional. I suspect the Korean Air Lounge will continue to be the primary contract lounge for most SkyTeam airlines and for some independent carriers.
Bottom line
Korean Air has finally unveiled its new lounge at LAX. Not only is it roughly 25% bigger than before, but it also has an all-new design, plus an elevated selection of food and drinks. This lounge was previously really underwhelming, so this looks to me like a huge improvement… I look forward to checking it out!
What do you make of the new Korean Air Lounge LAX?
It seems this KE lounge and the AF lounge are two lounges that non-US skyteam elite plus holders will be able to access on US domestic itineraries...am i correct?
Still no kimchi in the buffet
You must have visited the LH lounge at CDG or the Copa one at BOG, and I'm baffled as to how the KE ones in the USA could've been any worse.
I really miss the Priority Pass days at this lounge (especially before the time-of-day restrictions). Even with those lousy triangle sandwiches and upholstery desperately in need of a cleaning it was a nice treat. Great sitting out on the terrace.
I agree, but the literally unwashed masses is what made the place absolutely filthy. I see they still stuck with the "easy to spot dirt" color scheme; I'm hoping they maintain this lounge better.
Beautiful lounge, warm and inviting decor
SkyTeam probably has the best lounges overall at LAX now.
Qantas' First Class lounge use to be what's up, but I've read lots of reports that it's gone very downhill, not as good as it's used to be.
The problem with the Qantas first class lounge at LAX is its sterile, post-industrial decor. The food is acceptable.
Confirmed, Lee: the windows and furniture is dusty. The bathrooms and shower is dated. The table service feels like a fairly mid diner. It needs a refurb.
Who gets access to the Miler Lounge? Is that better or worse than the prestige?
@ Mike -- Sorry, I added mention of that to the post. The Miler Club is for specific elite members in Korean Air's loyalty program, so it's not as good as the first class lounge, but better than the business class lounge.
You miss the China Eastern lounge at ICN to be the wordy outstation lounge. That’s the worst and dirtiest lounge. I don’t know why they open and operate such an outstation lounge, and it’s the only outstation lounge operated by any Chinese airlines.
@ Steve Guan -- I haven't had the pleasure, guess I need to check it out!
A significant proportion of traffic to ICN is sent by Chinese airlines, with most departing from the satellite terminal where the lounge is located. It is hardly surprising that they use a separate lounge for their passengers (in order to save money).
Only China Eastern uses that lounge, and China Southen and Air China send their passengers to other lounges. The MU lounge is so bad and everyone have access can also enter the KE lounge nearby, which is still much better... There are many popular posts on chinese social app Rednote sharing how awful the lounge is and how everyone shall go to the KE lounge. I don't think they save much money.
We can only hope the new one at JFK new T1 will be as nice or nicer!
And AF is not going to have a lounge at the new JFK T1? If so the new KE lounge may get quite crowded, unless AF is contracting with Plaza Premium?
Existing T1 AF lounge is decent (and Priority Pass access, at times); however, true J on AF should have D1 access at T4. I’m surprised if AF didn’t plan for anything at the new T1, though, might it make sense for them to move-in with the rest of SkyTeam at T4, and maybe non-SkyTeam should move to the new T1? Eh, I don’t make the rules, clearly…
AF will have a large brand new lounge at the new JFK T1 (shared of course with KL and SK)