Incheon Airport: Gateway To Seoul And Beyond

Incheon International Airport, also known as Seoul-Incheon International Airport, is located in the city of Incheon, South Korea. It is approximately 30 miles west of central Seoul and is the largest airport in South Korea. The airport is a hub for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Polar Air Cargo, and it served a total of 57.8 million passengers in 2016. Incheon Airport features a variety of amenities, including shopping, dining, banks, a spa, an ice skating rink, a casino, and free Wi-Fi.

Incheon Airport's location

Incheon International Airport is located in the city of Incheon, in South Korea. It is situated west of Incheon's city centre, about 48 kilometres or 30 miles from Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea. The airport is on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands, which are part of the Jung-gu administrative district of Incheon.

Incheon Airport is one of the largest airports in Asia and the largest in South Korea. It is a major hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. The airport is served by over 90 commercial airlines and is the main hub for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Polar Air Cargo.

Incheon International Airport is a relatively new facility, with construction beginning in 1992 and the airport opening in 2001. It features two passenger terminals, connected by the underground "Starline" train, and a Landside Connecting system (bus shuttle) for airport employees and passengers. The airport has a capacity of 62 million passengers and 5.8 million tonnes of cargo annually, contributing to its reputation as one of the busiest transit airports in the region.

Incheon Airport offers a range of amenities for passengers, including shopping, dining, banks, currency exchange, a spa, children's play areas, a golf course, a casino, an ice skating rink, a theatre, free WiFi, a medical centre, and pharmacies. The airport also has a transit hotel for passengers with long layovers or delayed flights.

The airport's history

Incheon International Airport is located west of Incheon's city centre, in South Korea. The airport is 48km (30 miles) west of Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea. The airport is named after the city of Incheon and is located on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands. A shallow sea originally separated the two islands, but the land was reclaimed for the construction project, connecting the once-separate islands. The airport is 52km from downtown Seoul and 15km from Incheon, allowing it to operate 24 hours a day without causing airplane noise pollution to residents.

In 1986, Korea hosted the Asian Games, entering the global top 10 in international air transportation performance. When the Summer Olympics were held in Seoul in 1988, there was a rapid increase of 1 million international flight passengers from the previous year. Korea's international air transportation showed rapid growth, especially after the implementation of the overseas travel liberalisation policy in 1989. The Gimpo International Airport was expanded to keep up with the growth, but it was not enough to meet the increasing demand for air travel.

In March 1989, the New Airport Construction Promotion Committee narrowed its range of options for the airport construction site to 22 areas in Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, then again to 7 locations, including Yeongjong Island. Yeongjong Island was chosen as the site for the new airport in June 1990. The construction of the Incheon airport began in November 1992 on reclaimed land between Yeongjong Island and Yongyu Island. It took eight years to finish, with an additional six months for testing. The airport was officially opened on 21 March 2001.

Incheon International Airport is the main hub for Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Polar Air Cargo. The airport is also a hub for international civilian air transportation and cargo traffic in East Asia. In 2016, the airport was the fifth-busiest airport in the world and third in Asia by cargo traffic. The airport served a total of 57,849,814 passengers in 2016. The airport has continued to expand, with a second passenger terminal constructed in the airport's northern field, completed in 2017. The terminal opened on 18 January 2018 and is designed by Gensler.

Terminals and boarding gates

Incheon International Airport is located west of Incheon's city centre, on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands. The airport is about 48 km (30 mi) west of Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea.

Incheon International Airport has 111 boarding gates in total, with 44 in Terminal 1, 30 in Concourse A (connected to Terminal 1), and 37 in Terminal 2. The airport was constructed to share the demand for air transport in the 21st century and to serve as a hub airport in Northeast Asia. The terminals are connected by the underground "Starline" train. A Landside Connecting system (bus shuttle) is also used for airport employees and departing passengers who arrive at the wrong terminal.

Terminal 1 is larger and has more airlines operating out of it. Airlines that fly out of Terminal 1 include Emirates, Asiana Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Jin Air, and Jeju Air. Concourse A is connected to Terminal 1 and has 30 gates.

Terminal 2 is home to Korean Air, Delta Airlines, Air France, KLM, Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, China Airlines, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and XiamenAir, and more.

In December 2023, a Oneworld-branded and operated lounge opened in Incheon Airport Terminal 1 to serve passengers flying on seven of the alliance's 13 member carriers: American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and SriLankan Airlines.

Amenities and services

Incheon International Airport is located west of Incheon's city centre, on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands. The airport is approximately 48 kilometres (30 miles) west of Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea.

Incheon International Airport offers a wide range of amenities and services to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers. Here is a detailed overview of the amenities and services available:

Transportation and Navigation

The airport provides a seamless travel experience with a free shuttle bus service connecting the terminals and the nearby Grand Hyatt and Ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport hotels. Additionally, the Airport Railroad facilitates efficient transfers between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, ensuring convenient navigation within the airport complex.

Standard Amenities

Incheon Airport offers a comprehensive range of standard amenities, including air conditioning, food and beverage options, conference facilities, disabled access, flight information monitors, newspapers, television, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Relaxation and Entertainment

The airport prioritises the comfort and well-being of its passengers by providing Relax Zones, Nap Zones, Stretching Rooms, and Shower Rooms. For passengers seeking additional pampering, the Prana Spas in Terminal 2 offer massages and self-care treatments. The airport also features an ice skating rink, indoor gardens, and a video game centre for recreational activities.

Medical Services

Incheon Airport ensures the availability of medical services near Gate 25 (level 2) and Gate 43 (level 3) of Terminal 1, as well as near Gate 108 (level 2) of Terminal 2. Inha University Hospital, located in the basement floor West of the Public Area of Terminal 2, operates daily, providing extended hours during weekends and holidays. Multiple pharmacies can be found in both the Public Area and Duty-Free Area of Terminal 2.

Luggage Services

Hanjin and T-Luggage offer convenient luggage storage and delivery services between a subway station in Seoul and Incheon International Airport. This allows travellers to explore Seoul luggage-free before departing from the airport.

Kids' Facilities

Dedicated kids' play areas are available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, providing a fun, colourful, and safe environment for children to enjoy while waiting for their flights. Terminal 2 also features multiple kids' play zones in the Duty-Free Area, complete with a café for parents to relax.

Other Services

Incheon Airport caters to a range of other passenger needs with facilities such as a golf course, private sleeping rooms, a casino, the Museum of Korean Culture, and a post office. Additionally, laundry services, coat storage, shoe repair, and luggage shipping options are available at the Transportation Centre in Terminal 2.

Transport to and from the airport

Incheon International Airport is located on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands, west of Incheon's city centre. The airport is approximately 48 km (30 mi) west of Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea.

Incheon International Airport is accessible via various transport options, including private cars, taxis, limousines, and airport shuttle buses. The airport is well-connected to the surrounding areas, with several transport options available for departing passengers and airport employees who need to travel between terminals.

The airport's two passenger terminals are linked by the underground "Starline" train, providing easy transfer for passengers needing to change terminals. In addition, a Landside Connecting System (bus shuttle) is available for those who need to move between terminals and don't want to use the train.

For travellers wishing to use public transportation to and from the airport, there is a shuttle bus service that connects the airport with various destinations. This can be a convenient and cost-effective option for getting to and from the airport.

In addition, travellers can opt for private transfers, which offer a more personalised and luxurious experience. Private cars, taxis, and limo services are available to book, providing a comfortable and hassle-free journey to or from the airport. These options may be particularly appealing to those who prefer a more exclusive travel experience or have specific travel requirements.

Frequently asked questions