Review: Lufthansa Senator & Business Lounge Frankfurt, this is what services look like at the time of covid
Lufthansa was one of the first airlines to reopen its lounges, the process happened in stages and was [...]
Lufthansa
FRA
Lufthansa was one of the first airlines to reopen its lounges; the process happened in stages and differed from airport to airport. Currently in Frankfurt, the German airline's main hub, all lounges are open.
In this article:
The rules of lounge access
To gain access to the first class lounge, you must travel with a first class ticket on a Lufthansa or Swiss flight (access is not allowed if you are flying other Star Alliance airlines).
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For entry to the Senator Lounges, however, it does not matter what class you are traveling in, but you must hold Senator status or higher or alternatively hold Gold Star Alliance status, as in my case thanks to my TAP card.
Finally, to gain access to the business lounges, one must travel in business class or higher with one of the Star Alliance companies or hold Gold Star Alliance status.
The fact that the lounges have reopened does not mean that everything is the same as before; in fact, the health emergency has caused a drastic reduction in both service offerings and food and beverage, as well as highlighting an issue of diminishing capacity.
First of all, it should be explained that Lufthansa has 7 lounges at the German airport. One dedicated exclusively to first class passengers. Two dedicated to Senator status holders and two to Business passengers. These two types are also accessible by Gold Star Alliance status holders.
Differentiation allows(goes) Lufthansa to offer a more sought-after product to frequent flyers rather than occasional business class passengers. However, the pandemic has filed down the differences, and today internally the offering is virtually identical.
When I arrived in the late afternoon of mid-August, waiting for my connection to Riga, I headed for the Senator Club.
No magazines, no buffet, lots of chairs/chairs not usable due to social spacing. The menu is identical, and on my visit consisted of a few snacks packaged in glass single-serving portions, while an attendant served tomato soup, chicken casserole, and pea puree.
On the opposite side, the bar offered a reduced supply of wine, champagne and spirits. While beer and soft drink tappers, as well as hot drink machines, were freely accessible.
The three main lounges are located close to each other in the airport's main concourse. On one side is the senator club, the largest of the lounges, and on the other side are the business and first class lounges.
I had a chance to visit the lounges twice in a few days.
My second visit was during morning hours, far fewer people in the lounge and a chance to find a very comfortable seat with a view of the runway.
Reduced menu at breakfast as well with the hot offering featuring only scrambled eggs and stewed beans. Cheese or charcuterie sandwiches also available.
Rather limited buffet offerings and always in single portions. Late in the day the menu changed, stop breakfast and go for lunch with pasta with sauce and chicken.
Always excellent WiFi connection with fiber-optic performance and a mind-blowing upload speed, which also allows you to upload heavy files without any problem.
Always active bar offering both coffee and drinks, wines and spirits served by a lounge attendant.
In conclusion
Considering the current environment of airports, which are now sparsely crowded, the benefit of lounges is not as valuable compared to before, but the ability to be able to sit quietly in a seat, take advantage of power outlets (WiFi is free throughout the airport), as well as being able to munch on something is still a no small advantage.
Specifically, the Senator is certainly more beautiful, brighter and spacious, but the offerings are identical to those for Business passengers.
Last but not least, the airport's only Priority Pass lounge, one of the worst I have ever visited, is outside the controls and has not yet reopened.
Pro
- Clean and spacious with plenty of seating (although limited by covid19)
- Beer tap and open bar
Against
- There is a lack of imagination, but being German it is no surprise
- German cuisine is not world famous