Visiting airport lounges is usually a highlight of any trip, but my recent experience at the Korean Air lounge in Jeju Airport was a little different. I was pleasantly surprised to get access on a domestic flight thanks to my SkyTeam Elite Plus status, even though Korean Air is not one of the SkyTeam airlines that is implementing domestic lounge access. The lounge itself left me with mixed feelings.
Location
The lounge is located before security, right next to the Korean Air domestic check-in counters. While this makes it convenient for check-in formalities, it also means you’ll need to leave early enough to still clear security afterward. For a domestic terminal, though, it’s easy to find and tucked neatly away from the usual airport buzz.
Decor
The lounge is very small, but I’ll give it credit: it makes the most of its size. The seating is comfortable enough, and the space feels cozy rather than cramped. It’s not luxurious by any means, but it provides a quiet environment to sit down before your flight, which is already a step up from the often hectic main waiting areas.
Food and Drinks
This is where expectations meet reality. The food offering is limited to basic snacks—think packaged items and a couple of light bites. On the beverage side, you’ll mostly find soft drinks and coffee, with no alcohol or premium drink options available. It’s enough to tide you over but definitely not a culinary experience.
Final Thoughts
Korean Air markets itself as a 5-star airline, so I expected more. The lounge doesn’t really live up to that reputation—it feels much closer to the modest domestic lounges you find in Japan, which are functional but uninspiring. Still, I appreciated the surprise access with my SkyTeam Elite Plus status, and for a quick domestic hop, it was a nice enough place to relax before boarding.
