Traveling relaxed? Take advantage of an airport lounge during your business trip!
As a business traveler, you fly all over the world, find yourself in a different time zone every time, and are therefore awake at times you normally sleep. You sometimes have to deal with a transfer, wait time, delays, and in the meantime you want to get some work done. This is the time to head for an airport lounge!
What is an airport lounge?
An airport lounge is a space at the airport equipped with every convenience so that travelers can begin their air travel rested. This lounge is accessible only to members, invited guests and sometimes for an additional fee. In some cases, the lounge can also be used for passengers who want to freshen up after air travel, prior to a business meeting.
It is useful to know that there are two types of airport lounges:
- Airline lounges
Airlines often have their own airport lounge at their home airport. For KLM it is Schiphol Airport, for British Airways it is London Heathrow and for Air France it is Paris Charles de Gaulle. The airlines go out of their way to pamper the traveler. In addition, some airlines also have their own lounges at airports that are of strategic importance or to which they operate several flights a day.
- Lounges from the airport or other providers
Airlines often fly to dozens of destinations worldwide. Because not every one of these destinations is visited equally often, airlines cannot operate their own lounges at every airport. To meet lounge needs, independent parties offer their own lounges. Qualitatively, these lounges vary by destination. A lounge in a developing country or small airport can be compared to a canteen but other lounges are again equipped with all the luxuries and conveniences.
How do you get into a lounge?
For Business and First Class passengers, lounge access is included in the ticket price. For holders of airline alliance loyalty programs with a certain status or an Airport Privium or Fast Pass, access is often allowed free or at a reduced rate. In addition, at independent lounges it is often possible to purchase access at the door through a day pass.
Lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Do you also want to spend the waiting time usefully when you are at Schiphol Airport? And do you want to board the plane in a relaxed manner? Then make use of one of the lounges at Schiphol Airport. There are several possibilities.
For example, the Privium Club Lounge (before security) and Privium Airside Lounge (after security) are open and accessible daily if you have a membership. The benefits of a Privium Plus membership are:
- Fast check-in and fast security and border passage;
- Access to the Privium Club Lounge and Airside Lounge;
- Always front parking and access to the Privium Excellence garage.
More information on what the Brexit means for Privium members with a British passport can be found here.
Privium Club Lounge
In the lounge you have the opportunity to work pleasantly, take a rest, have a bite to eat and drink and there is an extensive buffet. There is also free Wifi and a selection of national and international newspapers. The Privium Club Lounge is located between departure hall 1 and 2, diagonally behind counter row 9. The Privium Airside lounge is located after security on Holland Boulevard near Pier E. The entrance is behind Dutch Bar & Kitchen.
Note: The Privium Club Lounge West is closed until mid-2021 due to remodeling.
The KLM Crown lounge
This lounge is open to anyone with a KLM flight or an international flight operated by SkyTeam and is accessible on the day of departure. Access is free for Business Class passengers, Platinum and Gold Flying Blue members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members. Other travelers can enter the lounge for a fee.
Aspire lounge 26 of 41
Another option is the Aspire lounge of the global aircraft handler Swissport. Here you can work or relax quietly for a fee. The lounge offers workstations, free Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines. A variety of snacks and drinks are also available. It does not matter which airline you travel with, which frequent flyer program you have or which class you fly for the use of this lounge.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to start a business trip relaxed and rested. Our Business Travel Consultants help you with your next lounge reservation, worldwide!
Travel Well
Jetty Terhaar
Manager of Operations Rotterdam
Update: This blog first appeared on Feb. 02, 2021 and was updated with new information on Sept. 12, 2022.
Sources:
- ikvliegveel.nl
- insideflyer.co.uk
- schiphol.com
