Airport business lounge. Access to airport business lounges - possible options What is an airport lounge

It's good when planes fly strictly on schedule. Then it is enough to show up at the airport at the time of check-in for the flight (and for those who managed to do this online, at the time of boarding) and not languish over a long wait. But force majeure circumstances occasionally arise, and you have to wait for a flight for several hours. Then the question arises, how to spend this time more comfortably?

Waiting rooms

Air terminals have publicly accessible departure lounges. But not all of them are convenient for long stay there. The places in them are usually sedentary, and you won’t be able to truly relax. It will be especially uncomfortable for people with health problems, pregnant women and passengers with children.

To have a snack while the plane is delayed, you will have to leave the waiting room and go in search of a cafe or at least fast food outlets. It is not a fact that during this time your chair will not be occupied, and you will not have to look for a new one.

The common halls of airports are, in fact, a “passage yard” where people are constantly scurrying about and there is a din. Such conditions cannot be called comfortable - neither relax in silence, nor concentrate on reading. And not all waiting rooms have free Wi-Fi.

Another thing is the lounges. Among airport lounges, the business lounge is the most comfortable place to relax. VIP persons who can rightfully use the services of such waiting rooms are business class passengers.

The delights of business lounges

Priority fares for air tickets apply to the creation of amenities not only in the cabin of the aircraft, but also while waiting for the flight in the terminal. Business class passengers can visit special lounges that provide the opportunity to enjoy maximum comfort:

• there are comfortable soft chairs and sofas where you can relax;

• in the prestigious recreation area there is a buffet where cold or hot snacks, aromatic coffee and other drinks (including alcohol) are served, for which you do not have to pay - everything is included in the ticket price;
• being in silence and solitude, you can read entertaining literature or watch TV, which is installed in the business lounge;
• VIP passengers are provided with showers where they can freshen up free of charge;
• some lounges offer the services of a hairdresser, cosmetologist or massage therapist;
• Children have not been forgotten here either - most business lounges have game rooms;
• The lounge will also provide a comfortable stay for nursing and pregnant women.

The prospect of such a break during a long wait attracts many passengers. Airport business lounge services may also be available to economy class ticket holders (subject to availability and availability) if they pay this service lounge administration at the rate established by the specific airport.

Note! One of the options for gaining access to the business halls of the world is to become one of the members of the “club” Priority Pass.

Comfort with Priority Pass

Having economy class tickets in hand, but being the holder of a Priority Pass or its electronic version in the smartphone application, passengers enter the lounge area of ​​a number of hubs.

All the delights of such a holiday become available to them. At the same time, the passenger can relax here with his family or invite friends with him (no more than 10 people in total), who will help brighten up the waiting time.

People on a business trip will find it more comfortable to work here. They will be provided with office equipment: a computer (if you don’t have a laptop with you), a copy machine and scanner, and a fax. Free internet is available in all business lounges.

The lounges have a conference room where you can hold a business meeting, negotiations or arrange a meeting with colleagues. To be able to enjoy the benefits of priority lounges, you should inquire about how to obtain a Priority card.

How to apply for a card

The Priority Pass card itself is neither a credit nor a debit card. This is something akin to a club business card confirming participation in the priority recreation program. There are several options for purchasing it:

• Most Russian banks offer it to their clients who are holders of Gold level plastic and above;
• The client can take the initiative by submitting an application for membership in the program to his bank;

Important! Registration of Priority Pass by the bank is free for the client.

• Another option to get a card is to visit the website www.prioritypass.com and apply for its issue; this will already cost money and will cost from 99 €/year. To do this, you need to have a cash account of one of the banks participating in the program, from where annual fees and payments for lounge visits will be withdrawn in the future (if this implies a tariff).

In the future, in order to enter the priority lounge and use its services, it is not necessary to present the card itself - you can download the application to your smartphone from the same website.

How to use the card

When visiting the business lounge, you do not have to pay in cash - at the entrance you scan the code of your Priority Pass card (or application on your smartphone). This is followed by the debiting of funds from the bank client’s main card according to the tariff in force in a particular financial institution. Each bank sets its own conditions for using the service, which need to be clarified in advance:

• some cards provide a fixed number of visits to the business lounge by the client himself free of charge;
• other banks reward customers with free unlimited data for a year;
• third option - each visit is paid, with a fixed price of 24 € / person.

When visiting airport business lounges using a card received online, slightly different rates apply (they are chosen by the client):

• basic option - 24 € will be debited from the main account (and for guests too) for each visit to the business lounge; This tariff costs 99€ per year;
• the average level, the price of which is 249 € / year, gives the cardholder 10 free visits to the lounge throughout the year, but for each guest you will have to pay 24 €;
• the third tariff is the highest, for 399 € per annum, which allows the client unlimited access to the business lounge throughout the year without payment, but guest visits are paid here too.

Note! The opportunity to enjoy comfort for free many times throughout the year at airports around the world is quite a profitable purchase for those who often use airplanes.

Some nuances

Before ordering a Priority Pass card, you should take into account some of the nuances associated with this program:

• Not all airports in the world (and in Russia as well) participate in the program, so you should first go to the website www.prioritypass.com and carefully study the list of hubs with available prestige lounges;
• Some major airlines (such as Emirates) have their own lounges at international airports, and here the Priority Pass program will not be effective;
• Each airport has its own list of amenities for such lounges; It’s better to know in advance what you can expect; to do this, you should visit the website of the hub where you plan to wait for the flight;
• When planning a relaxation in the business lounge, you should take into account the time of day - some lounges are not open at night (for example, in Spain);
• You should also take into account the waiting time for your flight - a standard visit to the business lounge is usually determined by 4 hours; after they expire, the countdown for the next visit begins, which is not very profitable with paid tariffs.

Note! The priority lounge card is linked to your main bank account.

If the Priority Pass tariff involves paying for your own visits, as well as for invited guests, then you need to monitor the availability of funds on the main card. Due to their shortage, the lounge administration has the right to refuse to provide you with comfortable services.

Rules for using business lounges

The lounge is a comfortable area for waiting for a flight. And the conditions here are created not only by the airport administration. It’s not enough just to get into a comfortable zone - visitors must follow the rules of behavior in it:

• the main advantage of these recreation areas is silence; if the company accompanying the visitor becomes noisy, the administration has the right to remove them from the lounge;
• Passengers with small children may be asked to leave the VIP lounge if they cause discomfort to others;
• the availability of free alcohol may affect the inadequacy of some visitors - they will also have to leave the business lounge early;
• the name of the lounge itself determines the dress code in appearance– women in swimsuits, men in shorts and beach slippers have the right not to be allowed into the business lounge;

• Fans of “nicotine sticks” should check whether there is a smoking area before relaxing in the lounge.

Important! Each violation of the rules has its own moral or material consequences. If a Priority card holder who violates the conditions suffers damage, then neither the administration of the business lounge nor the airport operating company will be held responsible for this.

Review of business lounges at major Russian airports

A number of Russian airports participate in the Priority Pass program and provide services to passengers under various conditions. The table below shows short review lounges of some Russian hubs indicating a number of restrictions.

Brief overview of business lounges at a number of Russian airports

Business lounges are an opportunity to brighten up the hours while waiting for a plane with maximum comfort, which you should not refuse.

Video

There are several types of airport terminal lounges. The first is the regular area, in which all passengers from economy to business class are located. The second is the lounge area, which can be accessed using a special card or for guests who have a high class of service on the plane.

Business lounges provide passengers with additional privileges. VIP clients relax, work and have lunch in peace and quiet. Every avid traveler should know how to get to the business lounge at the airport. To do this, you need to buy a business class ticket or become a member of the international Priority Pass program.

Services

The best lounges in the world offer passengers an excellent opportunity to visit the lounge area using the Priority Pass card.International program participants can use premium service while waiting for their flight.

At airports in business lounges with Priority Pass you can get the following privileges and services:

1. Passengers relax on comfortable armchairs and sofas. Lounge areas provide slip boxes. This option is paid separately and is not available in all luxury lounges.
2. Free press and newspapers are freely available. There are magazines in national and English languages.
3. Meals in the halls are free. In most cases it is a buffet. Some lounges offer restaurant menus and food is delivered.
4. Coffee, tea, water and carbonated soft drinks are free. Alcohol is only available to persons over 18 years of age and is available for a fee. Only local beer or wine can be taken for free.
5. Before departure, you can freshen up in the shower room and put your thoughts in order. But the shower is not always free, and you will also have to pay for swimwear.
6. Most lounges offer meeting space if you need to hold business meetings that weren't previously scheduled. The meeting room is always provided for a fee. In rare cases, business class passengers can use it for free. It all depends on the administrator of the hall, who sets the restrictions.

Particular comfort is felt in the business lounge when there are connecting flights and you need to wait a long time for the next boarding of the aircraft.

Travelers also have a toilet, flight display, TV, telephone, copy equipment and areas for charging electronic gadgets at their disposal.

Economy class

Access to airport business lounges is possible when flying in economy class.How to get to the business lounge?

To do this, you need to become a member of the international Priority Pass program.

If you travel frequently and use regular lounges, sign up for a Priority Pass card soon and get additional privileges.

Economy class passengers have two options for accessing terminal lounges. Namely, apply for a card included in the premium package, or register yourself on the company’s official website.

Registration of a package of services at the bank

It is better to get access to business lounges through a financial institution. It gives you not only the opportunity to use all premium services, but also additional benefits.

Such as an insurance policy, participation in loyalty programs, receiving discounts in some stores, the ability to accumulate miles and exchange them for air tickets with a high class of service or passes to premium lounges.

To gain access to business lounges, you will need to meet certain conditions that the financial institution will require. Passengers who have paid for annual service can access the lounges using Priority Pass.

Also, these conditions may be different. For example, maintaining an average monthly balance on all card accounts of a package of services in the amount of 2 million rubles. or spending on the card in the amount of 50 thousand rubles + the average monthly balance should be 500,000 rubles.

The conditions in each bank are different, so read them carefully and choose for yourself the best option. How much the service costs should be checked with the employees of the organization itself.

The card, which is issued by the issuing bank, as part of the service package, can be debit and credit. Credit cards are issued only to solvent clients who are already 18–21 years old.

The club itself Priority card Pass is issued free of charge. For its reissue in case of loss, theft, damage or expiration cash are not charged.

To visit the business lounge, you only need to present your club membership card; no payment product is needed. If a client has 2 to 8 visits per month available, but not all passes are used, they are not transferred to the next month.

Neither the airport terminal nor the Priority Pass program is responsible for the number of lounge passes issued by the bank. Therefore, all such issues should be resolved with the financial institution.

The Priority Pass card can be obtained when registering for a package of services or connecting premium cards of the Mastercard/Visa system in the following Russian banks: VTB 24, Rosbank, B&N Bank, Alfa, Raiffeisen, Promsvyaz, Unicredit, Sberbank and many others.

Self-registration

Economy class passengers can also gain access to airport business lounges by registering in the program themselves.

Becoming a member of the club is easy and simple. You need to go through a simple registration, select the appropriate tariff plan, pay for the service and receive a Priority Pass card by mail in a month.

Business Class

The third way to gain access to airport lounge areas is to purchase a high-class ticket on the plane.

Visiting the lounge area is free, the cost is already included in the amount paid for the air ticket. An additional entrance fee may be charged to accompanying persons.

Preferred Client

The airport lounge also accommodates passengers traveling to other countries via Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld.

These airlines provide the opportunity to visit lounge areas for free; you just need to issue a plastic card, which gives you the right to receive privileged service at the airport terminal.

These cards accumulate miles, which can be spent not only on passes to the lounge area, but also on other good services. For example, to upgrade the class of service on an airplane, to check in at business class counters (without queues).

Companion

You can get free airport lounge access with the right travel companion.

To visit the lounge area, you can ask your companion if he has a Priority Pass card. Some banks allow access to business lounges not only for holders free of charge, but also for one accompanying person or the person with whom he is flying.

To visit the lounges, the holder just needs to provide a Priority Pass card and mention his companion. This applies not only at Sheremetyevo Airport, but all over the world.

If the card holder passed for free, plus he was charged $27 for a companion, he should contact the issuing bank’s hotline and resolve this issue peacefully. The hall staff do not have sufficient qualifications to help you with this.

There are many ways to visit airport lounges for free. Choose the one that is most convenient for you and use it, enjoying the comfort and aromatic coffee alone in a large airport.

It’s hard to believe, but having visited 120 countries and flown on 110 airlines, I have never been to an airport business lounge, although I have had the opportunity more than once. You understand that blogging involves small privileges in the form of such trifles. But since I always arrive at the airport at the last minute, barely having time to reach my gate, there is no time to relax. And even if I didn’t have much time, I usually go to the far end of the airport at the gate, where there is no one, and there I open my laptop in splendid isolation. Last night at St. Petersburg Pulkovo airport two factors came together: incredibly, I arrived at the airport an hour and a half before departure and secondly, I had a business lounge card from Korean Air, with which I am flying to Seoul. At first, out of habit, I moved away from the noise and bustle; I sat down and looked at my watch - it was a full 15 minutes before boarding began. And why am I sitting here next to the toilet, and even with the wi-fi not working? Let's go to the business lounge!

You definitely won’t believe me, but I’ve really never been to such places and didn’t even know that you can eat for free here. And since I arrived in St. Petersburg in the morning from Istanbul and since then have been running around to meetings and haven’t had lunch, the question is quite relevant. The girl looked at me in surprise, “Of course, everything is free.” Can I print out the boarding pass for tomorrow's flight? Of course you can. The girl looked around anxiously, probably thinking that she was being filmed hidden camera. But no, I really was in the business lounge for the first time in my life and had no idea what they were doing here.

Multi-colored chairs and tables, departure board. And I was still worried that I would go into the lounge and miss boarding my flight. And while I was having a snack, I walked outside the lounge twice and looked at the scoreboard. Until the girl suggested that there was exactly the same board here. What an embarrassment for a traveler’s gray hair!

Quite a good buffet, where you can not just “starve a worm”, but have a passable lunch -

Numerous wines and what a shame that I don’t drink alcohol. Juices are another matter, I tried them -

Can I take a bottle of mineral water with me..? Just kidding, I didn’t torment the girl with stupid questions, she clearly decided that she was being played.

I printed out the boarding pass, because as soon as I arrived in Seoul I would have to prepare for the next flight to Osaka, Japan, and there the low-cost airline would cease to be such without a boarding pass.

What can I tell you? The business lounge is definitely a good thing for those who have a long layover, or if you arrive at the airport too early. Or you didn’t have time to grab a bite to eat in the city while rushing to the airport. I liked this particular Korean Air lounge, everything was comfortable, civilized, practical, working wi-fi (there were some problems at the airport itself). My experience with such things is extremely small, but I remember how, in 2012, I found myself in Qatar for 17 hours between Qatar Airways flights and went to the business lounge. What can I tell you? There were a lot of people there, smoky, noisy. Add to this the fact that the noisy Arabs and Indians ate everything edible from the buffet, then... there was no point in paying 25 dollars for this mess. But in St. Petersburg everything is a solid A, so I responsibly recommend it.

And this is what they served on Korean Air on the flight from St. Petersburg to Seoul. I chose Korean food, which turned out to be not at all spicy and even tasty. I remember a trip to Korea a couple of years ago, when my main problem became food. Everything was hellishly spicy and not very tasty, see? No, everything was different on board -

Another unusual thing: in the seat pockets there are stickers “Do not wake up”, “Wake up for meals” and “Wake up for Duty Free". Stick a piece of paper on the back of your chair and you can be sure that they won’t bother you for no reason -

I arrived in Seoul around two o'clock in the afternoon local time, and walked 15 minutes from the terminal to my hotel. Surprisingly, staying close to the airport costs a modest $40 for an entire room -

Actually, the view from my window is international Airport Seoul and Incheon railway connecting it with the city -

And tomorrow I’m flying from here to Japan, the main thing is not to oversleep. It's going to be a difficult day!

p.s. After the fact, I learned that Korean Air and Asiana airlines offer their passengers free excursions in Seoul and the surrounding area (link). Unfortunately, they all leave only in the first half of the day, so arriving after two, I did not have a chance to catch an excursion.

p.s. 2 Do you know who I thank to get on the Korean Air flight? But thanks these guys.

p.s. 3 Since not all readers have an account in Livejournal, I duplicate all my articles about life and travel in social media, so join us:
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This Turkish flag carrier's lounge consistently ranks among the best in the world. This is understandable: in a spacious room with a real library, in addition to standard services, there is the opportunity to play billiards, video games or even get a massage.

• Location: Airport named after Ataturk, international terminal, departure hall (2nd floor).
• Operating mode: around the clock.
• Service: free wifi, cinema room, suites for sleep and relaxation, billiard table, library, video games, golf simulator, massage.
• Available to: airline business class passengers Turkish Airlines, holders of Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus cards, Star Alliance cards (28 carriers included) of the Gold category.

Sydney, Australia: Qantas International First Lounge Sydney

VIP passengers most often praise the Qantas lounge for its interior design, relaxed atmosphere and quality of food in the restaurant.

• Location: International Airport Kingsford Smith, Terminal 1, Level 4.
• Operating mode: 05:00-22:00.
• Service: Wi-Fi, Apple computers, suites for sleep and relaxation, meeting rooms, library, spa, massage, showers.
• Available to: first class passengers of Qantas and Emirates airlines, members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty program with Platinum and Platinum One status, members of the Oneworld loyalty program (13 carriers) with Emerald status.

New York, USA: Virgin Atlantic New York Clubhouse

The Virgin Atlantic lounge features an area with futuristic armchairs and a large semicircular sofa. Guests are offered free food and drinks. To relax in one of the world's busiest airports, you can order one free spa service, such as a haircut, massage or manicure.

Helsinki, Finland: Almost@home Lounge

This lounge area turned out as if the interior samples and restaurant in IKEA stores were made by Finns, only at the airport. The name speaks for itself: they strive to provide guests with a cozy atmosphere and the most “homely” conditions possible - even to the point that you can wear woolen socks knitted by the lounge workers, or take something from the food (for example, a bowl of soup) with a large open kitchen. Even the dedicated area for business travelers in the Almost@home Lounge is called the “home office” - here you can comfortably sit with a laptop on wide armchairs, and there is a corner for making coffee and tea.

• Location: Helsinki Airport, next to Gate 32.
• Operating mode: Mon-Fri 5:30-23:30.
• Service: relaxation areas with kitchen, living room and library, area for working on laptops, office corner with computers and PlayStation.
• Access:€48 entry fee, pre-booking possible by phone and via the airport's mobile app.

Taoyuan, Taiwan: The Infinity lounge

Taiwanese airline EVA Air's futuristic-designed lounge caters primarily to business travelers, with high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets, computers and fax machines.

• Location: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Terminal 2, Departure Area 4F.
• Operating mode: daily 04:30-23:30.
• Service: free Wi-Fi in the recreation area, business center (desktop PCs, fax, telephone), TV, reading area with newspapers and magazines, showers.
• Available to: EVA Air business class passengers and BR Royal Laurel, Premium Laurel classes, first and business class passengers of Star Alliance member airlines (28 carriers).

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: VIP Lounge Punta Cana

The lounge area was opened at the Punta Cana airport in February 2018. It differs from previous lounges by having a swimming pool on the outdoor terrace overlooking the parking lot and the runway. For added relaxation, each guest is offered two free local alcoholic drinks.

• Location: Punta Cana International Airport, Terminal B, 3rd floor, next to Gate 24.
• Operating mode: daily 08:00-21:00.
• Service: Wi-Fi, TV, fax, showers.
• Available to: Priority Pass program members. Stay time is limited to two hours.

Note: Data as of May 2018.

Every year I have up to a hundred different flights. Despite this, I have never flown business class in my life, and I have been to airport business lounges twice. I don't see any point in overpaying.

It turns out that you can enter these business lounges completely free of charge. So why not take advantage of this? Now I’ll tell you how.

1 I usually arrive at airports two hours before, or even earlier. Not for the sake of reinsurance, but rather to save time. Let me finish my chores at home an hour earlier and work at the airport. I go through the pre-flight formalities and go to the cafe.

2 In general, it's convenient. I’ll pay even 10 euros for coffee and a sandwich, at least not on a bare bench in the waiting room. But sometimes the cafes are crowded, the airports are small, there are also crowds milling around duty free... how can you concentrate?

I have long heard about the miracles that happen in business lounges. They feed and water there for free, there are no crowds. But the main thing is there is Wi-Fi! Actually, his frequent absence from the cafe is the main inconvenience when waiting for a flight.

3 Most often, VIP/CIP lounges belong to an airline or alliance, and access is available to business class passengers, as well as frequent flyers with “elite” bonus cards. It is possible to accumulate the required number of miles, but this is only if you fly really often, and with the same company. And of course, no one will let you into the S7 hall if this time you are flying Transaero, no matter what card you have.

There is a clever card that allows you to go to such halls, regardless of the company, and without any loyalty programs. Pay the money once a year, buy a Priority Pass, and in almost every airport one of the business lounges with which the system has an agreement will open its doors.

The card has only one drawback - it costs 400 euros per year (the version with unlimited visits to the halls). But there is one way to get it for free!

4 A month ago I opened an account with UniCredit bank with the Prime service package. Together with the MasterCard Black card, they issued just that same Priority pass, which allows you to go to business lounges around the world, plus take one guest with you. You don’t need to be flattered by free cheese, you will have to pay for servicing the bank tariff, but there are a lot of useful things there, and withdrawal of money all over the world without commission, and 10% cashback, and insurance, both medical and for trip cancellation.

5 The girl at the business lounge counter swiped my card, smiled and gave me instructions for accessing the Internet.

6 What is this place like? It seems that in the Soviet interpretation this is called a “waiting room” increased comfort” or “hall of official delegations”. A separate flight waiting area, where there is no fuss and crowds. In all other respects, they can differ greatly from each other.

7 For example, it is accepted that there should be drinks and snacks for guests, and they will be in any room, the question is which ones. Somewhere they will put a sandwich, somewhere salads. It happens that they don’t skimp on passengers and hire a cook who cooks steaks on demand. But this is only in the Emirates or Singapore, of course.

8 At the international terminal of Turkish Antalya they offered tea, coffee, soda, fresh salads and even a couple of hot dishes.

9 Some people pay for silence. There will be no screaming and running children, one of the main irritants at the airport.

10 Because there is a special playroom for them!

11 A nice bonus from the Turkish mobile operator, the ability to charge your phone if you forgot the charger at home.

12 Of course, there is a departure board. I heard that there are business lounges from where passengers are taken directly to the gate on a separate transport. But not at this time.

13 When I arrived at the landing, there were already crowds of passengers there. Somehow nervous, noisy. Of course, you can sit on a bench nearby for an hour and a half, plugging your ears with music and burying your face in your laptop, but relax in separate room nicer. Especially when it doesn’t cost any money, and I already use the card. It won't take long to get used to it!