Lounge Reviews
Lufthansa Business Lounge Review Frankfurt Airport Schengen Area
Lufthansa treats their own frequent flyers and star alliance frequent flyers quiet differently, for example, if you are travelling on first class in and out of Frankfurt, you can’t use their senator lounge
Lufthansa treats their own frequent flyers and star alliance frequent flyers quiet differently, for example, if you are travelling on first class in and out of Frankfurt, you can’t use their senator lounge because is reserved for their first class and senator status holder only. You would be end up with the business class passengers and others who’ve used their frequent flyer status to get in the lounge for free, not to mention, the amenities is quiet different.
I was holding a business class ticket travelling within the EU, so my ticket was entitled to both Business Class lounge and Senator Lounge, and those 2 lounges are next to each other although the entrance are quiet a way to walk to.
The business class lounge has many nice features as a good business class lounge should have.
They offer a charging station there which supports like almost all kinds of phones and tablets, but they would only charge it for 15 mins, yet you can get it back as long as you please. You can set a digital code to lock your drawer.
The picture above shows the working area which you can work with you computers without being seen by too many people, hehe.
Here you have a phone booth area which you can lean on it to talk inside a semi-private block on the side, it’s quiet handy for people to use although I didn’t see a single person use it when I was there for like 5 hours.
They put very nice German elements into the lounge in a professional way, so it doesn’t get turned into German Tourist Market especially for Business travellers. The food and drink is very very nice I wish I could get back there as I am writing this. Another thing about catering inside the Business Lounge is that they have some hidden menus like cup noodles which you can only get it when you ask for it, and the nice staff will even show you ways to get hot water for it, very very thoughtful.
You have many drinking options from soft drinks, a variety of tea selection and most specially the german beers. You probably also see those after eight mint chocolates.
The view outside the huge window is also nice as you can see most of Lufthansa’s fleet right outside.
The German sausages, and breads with some sauces behind it, very nice !
World Clocks is quiet iconic at many places like airports and hotels.
Lufthansa’s very own frequent flyer shops can be purchased both by Euro and Miles, that’s very nice they sort of showcase it, but hardly anyone lays eyes upon them anymore.
Food selections again, salad bar and more of those, you know, German sausages.
They displayed twice the drinking counters or maybe even three times which I can’t confirm with pictures now so put in words it’s that they’ve placed it at several places at the lounge so it could be easy to reach for business travellers.
At the time I was at the lounge, it’s extremely crowded and busy so I don’t wanna people feel annoyed for taking pictures that includes them so here’s the only one I’ve got , but they do have ample seating areas and different kind of settings which is very spacious and nice.
They also offer showers and luggage storage if you are wondering if they have it since I didn’t feature it.
Bottom Line:
Lufthansa Business Class is very nice to spend time at if you are using them via their frequent flyers status, but for first class passengers and business class passengers, it could be a bit unfair or confusing if you are using the old sense of just staying at Business Lounge, Lufthansa has this very complicated rules for their own and other airlines’ travellers, so it could occur that you are not where you should be but it’s still good enough compared to many other airlines. It’s amazing how airlines kept efforts into this so we travellers can truly feel appreciated.
Let me know your experiences at Frankfurt Lounges.
Lounge Reviews
LOT Business Polonez Lounge + Star Alliance Elite Club Lounge Warsaw Chopin Airport, Poland Review
Business Lounge Polonez Sign
As the hub operator at Warsaw Chopin airport, LOT Polish Airlines’ lounge within the Schengen area is conveniently located right above the fast track security area. The lounge is not exceptionally big, and during my time of visit before my flight to Frankfurt, the entire lounge was overcrowded. I did managed to find a seat at the corner of the lounge, but no great pictures of different seating options were captured.
Business Lounge Entrance
Practical Info
- Location: Terminal A, Schengen area,mezzanine above departures level, close to gate 25/26, accessible by stair or lift;
- Opening Hours: 5:00 – 23:00;
- Wi-Fi access: Yes
- Admission: Business Class, Star Alliance Gold and above, Hon Circle Senator and FTL.
Business Lounge Newspaper Stand
The lounge was divided into two different areas, one for business class passengers and one for Star Alliance Gold elites. There’s another check-in agent at the elite lounge which will check your boarding pass again. The elite lounge also has slightly better food and drinks options.
Business Lounge Hanging Chair
Here’s the only picture I got at the Business Polonez Lounge, as the rest of the area are fully occupied.
Business Lounge Food Station Items
Polonez Lounge Snacks
Polonez Lounge Food Station
The food and drinks selection are already exceptional at the business lounge area, they have a different variety of options from fresh fruits to snacks and cold cut plate to warm dishes.
The entrance to the Star Alliance Elite Club lounge is quiet narrow, but once entered, you will have a more intimate and private area to relax in.
Star Alliance Elite Club Lounge Entrance
Seating Sofas
Wall Decor
Unfortunately, this part of the lounge was also packed during my visit, so the I only managed to grab some pictures of the seating area in the end hall of the lounge.
Service Area Overview
The elite club lounge offers more choices of warm dishes and better dessert options. Food and drinks at both lounges are being replenished at a fast pace, as numerous staff were constantly working at different stations in the lounge.
Another impressive features is that the lounge offers free spa treatment for all passengers, though they don’t offer full body treatments, you would be able to choose between facial, neck or foot. I was anxious to take off my shoes, so I went with the facial.
The lady who did the treatment was extremely nice, she told me that the lounge been doing the free spa treatment for two years now. Upon finish with the treatment you will also get a free sample of their partner brand’s cosmetic products.
Lounge Free Treatment Sign
Bottom Line
The lounge offers some quality food and drinks options for passengers, most passengers would be able to have a enjoyable visit with all the different features they managed to offer. You may also read my flight review with LOT Polish Airlines.
Short-haul Business Class Food Service
SAS Next Generation Lounge is a brand new lounge opened last year at Oslo airport, Norway. SAS claims that the lounge adopts innovative and technologically enhanced amenities to provide passengers with quality experiences.The renovation being done at SAS lounges at Copenhagen airport will follow the same concept.
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Entrance Side View
After soon one year of operation, I’ve come to review the first next-gen SAS lounge myself. Conveniently located right after security control, it allows both domestic and international passengers to access it if they desire to.
Practical Info:
Contracted Airlines:
SAS, Airlines within Star Alliance and Icelandic Air.
Opening Hours:
Opens: Approximately 60 minutes before the first scheduled SAS departure
Closes: Approximately 30 minutes before the last scheduled SAS departure
Paid Offers:
During online check-in: From DKK 179/NOK 229/SEK 239/EUR 24/USD 32, or 2800 EuroBonus points. If you are a EuroBonus-member you can pay with your points.
At the airport: Only DKK 219/NOK 279/SEK 289/EUR 30/USD 46 or 3000 EuroBonus points at SAS Self Service kiosk (by card only).
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Hallway
Facts :
300 seats, 9 bathrooms, 3 showers (+2 inside the gym) and 3 guest offices
A café with a qualified Barista,
A lounge host
“True traveler wall” digital screen
Gym
Spa service
Buffet and kitchen area
Scandinavian style living room with a small fireplace simulator
Innovation hub including a 3D avatar scanner (already gone)
Daylight booster room
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Sign
Entrance
The lounge is located at the second level of the departure floor, you may access it by lift or stairs. You will have to scan your boarding pass on the automated gates and then you will be greeted by their “first impression maker” – a lounge host. The host is also in charged of helping out with all your other inquiries as they are the only qualified staff from the airline.
You may use this lounge even if you are travelling on an international ticket as long as you make time for the secondary security check point and duty-free.
SAS Next Generation Lounge (Domestic) Oslo Entrance Gate
Right after entering, you will notice the massive digital screen showing live statistics about SAS.
SAS Next Generation Lounge (Domestic) Oslo Innovative Display
Another feature SAS is very proud to present to passengers is their Cafe bar with a proper barista who will greet you and make you the drink you would like. As scandinavian countries are among those who drink the most coffee, I would dictate that this could be a popular implementation of fake “new” service with hidden cost-cutting undertones.
SAS Next Generation Lounge (Domestic) Oslo Cafe Counter
Seating
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Entrance Seating Atrium Area
You will find the next-gen lounge seating are filled with the new Nordic smart-living solutions while the furnishing are leaning more towards IKEA standards.
The Scandinavian living room
Seating desks and chairs replacing 3D avatar scanner
Cafe bar high chairs
Desk and seating stools
Sofa seating area
Sofa seating
All in all, the new seating space looks great in picture, but in reality you would find the chairs are too tight against each other while the sofa are so huge that people can just lay down. When passengers are not travelling with a big group, the huge sofa set fits 20 people ending up being divided by 5 businessmen each “manspreading” their legs around.
Dinning Area
Food Station
The lounge is bringing guests with the new Nordic food experience. Still mainly cold dish offerings, they are also offering a slightly larger selection in the new lounge.
Smart Juice Dispenser
Cold complements
Breakfast Oatmeal
Breakfast Offering
Fruits for display
Service counter
Spices
Gluten-free corner
Coffee Machine
Food station layout
Yogurt and milk
Soda drinks machine
Beer and wine on tap
Tea offering
Cereals
Norwegian Bread
Overall the food and drinks offering at the new lounge is on par with all the other SAS lounges, while not extensively expanded, rather a new way to present the same thing.
Gym Area
A great highlight of the SAS next-gen lounge is the fully equipped gym they are offering to passengers through a partnership with SATS.
I hardly see any passenger using the gym during my visit. They used to even require pre-booking to use the facility, but now anyone can just drop-in if they desire so. Luckily SAS is not losing much financially by keeping the space empty as they can easily convert this space for more seating after their partnership ends with SATS.
Other hub operator airlines like Singapore and Emirates also offer gym facility in their lounges, but I do think days left for the gym at Oslo airport is limited.
Innovation Hub
Through another partnership with HP, SAS is able to combine a brand promotion deal and their business center together as guests can browse HP’s new products while surfing the net. Not a dumb way to save money, but the advertised 3D avatar scanner is already gone not after one year since their lounge opened, I do think that put some weight on their marketning gimmick here.
Daylight Booster
The lounge is equipped with ambient lighting – through another partnership with Philips. In addition to all the tasteful lighting placement throughout the lounge(which I really enjoy), a light room is being featured as well.
SAS Next Generation Lounge (Domestic) Oslo Daylight Booster Area
SAS Next Generation Lounge (Domestic) Oslo Daylight Booster Area Working Station
You may work in the light room while you absorb it all in. I’d rather call it a selfie room as there’s no dead corner once you shut the curtains. Maybe that way they can target millennials better? After all, they are travellers.
SAS Next Generation Lounge (Domestic) Oslo Daylight Booster Area Lighting Screen
Guest Office
There are three guest offices all the way in the corner of the lounge. These little insulated boxes are quiet standard for SAS lounges, but the new ones has even allowed curtains on the door so you can get full privacy if you want to.
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Oslo, Norway Guest Office Area
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Oslo, Norway Guest Office Setup
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Oslo, Norway Guest Office Interior
Showers
There are three proper shower suites in the lounge with two additional ones in the gym. The shower is spacious and sleek-looking. Shampoo and soap are placed in plastic dispensers.
Parternerships
- Lighting – Philips
- Porcelain – Figgjo
- Juice – Rynkeby
- Portable chargers – Concept Communication
- Innovation Hub – HP
- Gym – SATS
- Spa – Soleus
Conclusion
The SAS Next Generation Lounge at Oslo airport in many ways is a great improvement within their financial capabilities. Compared to the old cramped SAS domestic lounge at Oslo airport, the new lounge is definitely better in so many ways. The lounge allowed itself with great flexibility as some of the amenities in the lounge can come and leave as they want to. This is a smart way of cost-saving when the entire industry is shifting towards that direction. Most passengers will be impressed by the great new design of the lounge, but maybe instead of throwing money on things business passengers don’t need, offering a more extended food and drinks option can be a more honest way to improve passenger satisfaction. Maybe they are too poor to do so after cancelling the Beirut, Lebanon route shortly after they launched it?
SAS Next Generation Domestic Lounge Hallway Lightning
I was not able to test out their SPA offerings as well as their lunch and dinner food and drinks offerings, but in many ways, the lounge is creating more of a cafe vibe for passengers.
What’s your experience at SAS lounges?
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