SEOUL – As the cold grip of winter settles over Korea, making travel to warmer climes all the more appealing, the nation’s two largest airlines, Korean Air (KAL) and Asiana Airlines (OZ), have announced the return of their highly popular Coatroom Service. This complimentary service allows passengers to conveniently store their heavy winter coats at the airport before departing for tropical or warmer destinations, running for three months from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.
The Coatroom Service is a crucial offering for passengers who find themselves burdened by thick outerwear while flying to places where such clothing is unnecessary. By offering a hassle-free storage solution, the airlines aim to significantly enhance the overall passenger experience and comfort, particularly during the peak winter travel season.
Korean Air: Expanding Service to Incheon T2 and Gimhae
Korean Air's service is strategically positioned to serve passengers departing from both Incheon International Airport (ICN) Terminal 2 (T2) and Busan Gimhae International Airport.
Incheon International Airport (T2): KAL passengers departing from Incheon can utilize the service by presenting their boarding pass at the Hanjin Express counter located within the "Baggage Storage, Parcel & Wrapping" area near Gate 1 on the 3rd floor of T2, after completing check-in. The retrieval process is equally streamlined, with stored coats available at the Hanjin Express office near Gate 1 on the 1st floor upon return, upon presentation of the storage receipt. Crucially, the Incheon service operates 24 hours a day, offering maximum convenience regardless of flight schedule.
Busan Gimhae International Airport: International passengers flying Korean Air from Gimhae can check in their coats at the Jimcarry Baggage Storage on the 3rd floor of the International Terminal, also requiring a valid boarding pass. The operational hours for the Gimhae service are from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Asiana Airlines: Partnership and Terminal Transition
Asiana Airlines has partnered with Clean-up Air to provide its Coatroom Service.
Incheon International Airport (T1): Currently, the service is available at the Clean-up Air facility on B1 (Basement 1) of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 (T1).
Terminal Relocation: Following Asiana's planned move to Terminal 2 (T2) on January 14, 2026, the service will continue seamlessly at the Clean-up Air store located near the Ground Transportation Center entrance on B1 of T2.
Service Details and Usage Policy
Both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines adhere to a standard usage policy designed to accommodate short-term vacationers:
Free Storage Limit: The service is complimentary for a maximum period of 5 days.
Item Limit: Each passenger is limited to one coat per person.
Extended Storage: Should passengers require storage for longer than the five-day free period, additional charges will apply for the extended duration.
Commentary: A Competitive Edge in Passenger Service
The re-introduction of the Coatroom Service underscores the competitive nature of the Korean aviation market, particularly in passenger amenities. Both carriers have historically leveraged this service as a key differentiator during the winter months. According to industry analysts, such value-added services play a significant role in customer loyalty and perceived service quality.
"For an average traveler heading to Southeast Asia for a week, dragging a bulky padded jacket or a heavy wool coat through the airport is highly inconvenient," noted Dr. Lee Mi-ran, an expert in Aviation Management at Seoul National University. "By strategically placing these services at key transport hubs—especially Korean Air's 24-hour operation at ICN T2—the airlines are removing a major pain point and offering a seamless transition from the Korean winter to a holiday destination. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about passenger-centric operations."
Furthermore, the integration of these services with established logistics providers like Hanjin Express (Korean Air) and specialized cleaning services like Clean-up Air (Asiana Airlines) ensures professional handling and accessibility. As the industry continues to recover post-pandemic, focusing on heightened customer convenience remains paramount, and the coatroom service stands as a tangible commitment to making winter travel easier for thousands of outbound Korean tourists. The service is expected to be heavily utilized by families and individuals seeking brief getaways during the late autumn and early spring transition periods.
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