Korean Air absorbs Asiana on Dec. 17: what it means for lounges, miles and Star Alliance

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines become one airline on Dec. 17, 2026. On that day, Korean Air absorbs all of Asiana's planes, staff and routes, and Asiana stops flying under its own name. The day before, Dec. 16, Asiana leaves Star Alliance.

For anyone who flies through Seoul, that changes a lot: which lounges you can use, which alliance your miles belong to, and which airline your status counts with. Here is what has been confirmed, what is still unclear, and where to wait at Incheon in the meantime.

The timeline

Korean Air set the date in a May announcement, calling the result an "integrated flag carrier." The last approvals came in August. Korean Air's board ratified the deal on Aug. 12, and Asiana shareholders voted it through with more than 99% in favor, according to Korean Air's release. Korea's transport ministry had already given conditional approval in June.

The low-cost airlines are merging too. Jin Air will take over Air Busan and Air Seoul, Upgraded Points reports.

Korean Air says it is still working through systems, training, terminal moves and "lounge renewals." It has not said what the merged airline's cabins or livery will look like.

Asiana leaves Star Alliance on Dec. 16

This is the part with real deadlines. Based on Asiana's own FAQ, as summarized by Upgraded Points:

• You can earn Star Alliance miles on Asiana flights that depart on or before Oct. 15, 2026. That date has passed for most trips.
• Star Alliance awards on Asiana must be flown by Dec. 16. Some partner programs need you to book and fly even sooner, as early as Oct. 31. Asiana says partner awards after Dec. 16 won't be honored, even if you hold a ticket.
• Star Alliance Gold members keep access to eligible Star Alliance and Asiana lounges through Dec. 16.

After that, Asiana's flights become Korean Air flights, and Korean Air is in SkyTeam. Korean Air's partnerships, including its Delta codeshare, carry on. Asiana's do not.

What happens to Asiana Club miles and status

Asiana Club members can move their miles to Korean Air's SKYPASS at a 1:1 rate. Miles earned from partners, such as credit cards, convert at 1:0.82. Asiana Club members can also keep using the Asiana award chart from Dec. 31, 2024, for another 10 years.

Elite status maps across like this:

Korean Air says it is still finalizing the loyalty plan with Korea's Fair Trade Commission, so check the details before you move any miles.

Korean Air's lounges in Terminal 2

Korean Air has been getting ready. In April it opened a rebuilt First Class Lounge and a new Prestige Class West Lounge in Incheon's Terminal 2, as part of a KRW 110 billion overhaul, Runway Girl Network reported. Floor space across its T2 lounges grew from 5,105 to 12,270 square meters, and seats from 898 to 1,566.

The new First Class Lounge is 921 square meters, with an open hall and 11 private suites. The Prestige West Lounge is the biggest single lounge at Incheon, with more than 420 seats, live cooking and a full bar.

On Lounge Frog, the Korean Air First Class Lounge and the Prestige Lounges East and West all rate 4.6. The Prestige Garden Lounge (East) rates 4.0. Our listings show SkyTeam elites and, for now, Star Alliance Gold members on Asiana flights getting into the Prestige lounges.

What happens to Asiana's Terminal 1 lounges

Our listings still show four Asiana lounges in Terminal 1, including the Asiana Business Lounge (Central), rated 4.4, and the Business Lounge (East), rated 4.7. Their future after Dec. 17 has not been set out in any Korean Air release we could find.

Star Alliance travelers should not be left without a lounge. Points, Miles & Bling reports that the Asiana Business Lounge (West) in Terminal 1 will become a Star Alliance-branded lounge, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. Until it opens, Terminal 1 also has the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge for Star Alliance Gold members. Upgraded Points counts 14 Star Alliance airlines that will still fly to Incheon after Asiana leaves.

Priority Pass members have options in both terminals. The Matina Lounge East in Terminal 1 rates 4.7, and the Matina Lounge in Terminal 2 rates 4.4.

What we don't know yet

Korean Air has not said which Asiana lounges close, or when. It has not shared plans for the merged airline's cabins. We will update this story as Korean Air posts more on its newsroom. For Korean Air's fleet plans, see our story on its 103-jet Boeing order.