Review The Loft Brussels Airlines. For Skytrax, it's the best in Europe, and I can't argue with that
This was my first post-pandemic visit to the Brussels Airlines lounge in the Belgian capital's Terminal A [...]
Brussels Airlines
Star Alliance
BRU
This was my first post-pandemic visit to the Brussels Airlines lounge in the Belgian capital's Terminal A, and I must say that it is always a great VIP lounge-it deserves all the awards it continues to receive year after year.
Europe's Leading Airline Lounge 2022
In this article:
For the fourth consecutive year, THE LOFT at Brussels Airport, designed and operated by Brussels Airlines and Lexus, has been named "Europe's Leading Airline Lounge 2022" at the prestigious Skytrax World Travel Awards. The award is voted on by both lounge guests and travel industry professionals.
Access
Brussells Airlines, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, obviously participates in the Star Alliance. Access is therefore allowed to all business class passengers flying with the national airline of Belgium and all other partner carriers.
To gain access, if you fly economy you must have Senator status in the Miles&More loyalty program or Star Alliance Gold level in one of the alliance airlines. Then there are airlines from other alliances, such as Finnair or Air Baltic, that have specific arrangements to allow their passengers entry. In my case I was traveling on a super basic economy ticket, but having Gold status with Singapore Airlines I was greeted with a smile.
Location
In Terminal A, the Schengen flight terminal, there are two lounges and they are in the same area. Coming out of the duty free and past the food court, you come to the gate area.
The lounge is located on the second floor, just in front of the escalators, impossible to miss or get confused since the Diamond Lounge, the one used by ITA Airways and accessible to Priority Pass owners, is at the end of the corridor.
Small premise.
If there is any picture of ITA Airways Who is reading this review, I highly recommend taking cues in all respects from this room for the realization of the new lounge at Rome Fiumicino. End premise
The lounge
Those who read my reviews have understood what for me are the fundamental points that a lounge must have to please me, and this one has them all. It overlooks the runway (if you are departing on a morning flight it gives a beautiful light) and has some Huge windows, also present on the opposite side, the one that looks at the terminal and where the restaurant area is. This means that the lounge will always be lit, and for me that is one of the key aspects.
The hall is very large And it has all kinds of seating. From armchairs to sofas, bar chairs to stools. Hard not to find what you are looking for to be comfortable before your flight.
The Loft, to my knowledge, Is also the only official lounge of a company to be sponsored. In this case by Lexus, the luxury car brand of Toyota. The hall is beautiful, tastefully decorated and well organized, and most importantly, it offers everything you need.
For HON guests, the highest level of the Miles&More program, a secluded area of the lounge is reserved. Good attention since in Frankfurt these passengers can also take advantage of the dedicated first class terminal
Services
There are showers and two nap rooms where you can take a nap. There are plenty of power outlets and wireless cell phone charging points, which are incorporated into the furniture. There is a corner to work on computers and print documents.
There is a dedicated children's room, starring smurfs. There are several luggage storage rooms, high-performance wi-fi, and plenty of staff to ask for any needs.
Food & Beverage
From an official lounge I expect a quality proposal, and I must say that The Loft passes the test brilliantly. It's better than Air France's new lounge, of ITA's lounges and also what Lufthansa's Senator and Business lounges offer.
There are three islands. The main one serves a buffet, with hot and cold offerings, salad bar, desserts, and products for people with food intolerances.
Breakfast is not the perfect time to evaluate the culinary proposal, however, already from this important meal we can see what the rest of the menu might look like.
A second island, also circular, houses the main lounge bar. All self-service, even though it's 7 a.m. there are bottles of wine and super spirits available. As well, of course, as juices, soft drinks, and various water tappers.
Excellent that there is almost no plastic in the whole lounge. Bravo Brussels.
On the opposite side of these two islands, there is a third area that offers a sort of "best of" what is in the main buffet. This is an excellent solution for reducing crowds and dividing mouths to feed.
There are then two areas that house vending machines for hot drinks. This is the only real "flaw" of The Loft: it lacks a real bartender behind the counter; if there was this service, offered for example by ITA Airways or other airlines, then the lounge would be a 10+.
One counter, however, is there, and it is a very special area since it is the one that houses the maître chocolatiers of the well-known Belgian house Neuhaus: since late morning they have been at work before the eyes of the passengers, unfortunately, however, not early in the morning.
In conclusion
This lounge has been awarded four times in a row as the best in Europe and I have to say that it is a deserved award if we look at continental Europe. Otherwise, I think the best on our continent is Turkish's in Istanbul. The size of the two carriers, however, is by no means comparable, and that is why The Loft deserves recognition from Skytrax.
Pro
- The light
- The furniture
- The gastronomic offerings
- Schedules
Against
- A real bar with a bartender is missing
- It would take a couple of lounges for people who don't want to be around people