All Rome Fiumicino lounges: locations, access rules and evaluation [agg. 2023].
After summarizing the lounges in the Milan Linate and Malpensa airports, today we take stock of the [...]
![All lounges at Rome Fiumicino: location, access rules and evaluation [updated 2023]](https://staging.theflightclub.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/lounge_fco-1200x900.jpeg)
FCO
After summarizing the lounges present in the airports of Milan Linate and Malpensa, today we take stock of the situation at Italy's main airport: that of Rome Fiumicino.
In this article:
In 2019, the last year before the covid-19 outbreak, more than 50 million passengers passed through the two terminals. Much has changed since then: Alitalia went bankrupt and is now the main hub of ITA Airways. In addition, the Terminal 1, or Pier A as it is otherwise known, is totally renovated and today FCO is one of the most modern airports in Europe and the world.
Inside the two terminals are eight lounges plus one accessible outside the terminal, for a total of nine lounges: three in Pier A and five in Pier E, the one for intercontinental flights and flights to non-Schengen destinations. In the coming months, as many as 3 new lounges will open, also in continuity with the improvement of services throughout the airport.
Rome Fiumicino's Terminal 1 lounges.
Terminal 1-or Pier A-is the one designated for domestic and European flights, for destinations to Schengen area countries. There are currently three lounges here, plus two under construction.
Hangar by ITA Airways
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This is the brand new lounge of ITA Airways. open to April 2023. Accessible to business class passengers and elite status holders in ITA Airways' Volare program in the main body of Terminal 1.
It is not accessible to travelers who do not fall into the above categories.
Primeclass
Primeclass Lounge opened in April., the first of this brand in Italy. It is located in the mezzanine area along with the other lounges. Open kitchen, armchairs and seats of different titos, bar counter and silence box, as well as an area for taking a nap.
It can also be accessed with Priority Pass in arrival lounge mode and not only on departure.
Plaza Premium
This lounge also just opened and hopes to replicate the good work done at Fiumicino Terminal 3. Counter bar, open kitchen and superior service are the features of this lounge opened in the mezzanine area.
Free access for American Express Platinum holders.
Star Alliance Lounge
This is a lounge owned by the Star Alliance. It is located in the same area as the other lounges, i.e., in the old area of T1, which is the most inconvenient to reach given its remoteness from the main body of the terminal.
Worldwide there are a total of 6 Star Alliance lounges, theand others are in Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Paris (CDG) and Rio De Janeiro. These lounges serve passengers from the various airlines that use the Roman airport. Given its location, it can also be used for flights to non-Schengen areas, always keeping an eye on the clock and the time needed to reach the gate in a timely manner. Of the various SA lounges I have visited, it is definitely the worst.
Access is allowed to business class travelers on one of the Star Alliance airlines or holding Gold SA equivalent status in their respective loyalty programs.
Prima Vista Lounge
This lounge is located in front of the ITA Airways lounge and a few meters before the Star Alliance entrance. It is an independent lounge and being affiliated with the priority pass network is the busiest of the three.
This is definitely the worst of the three lounges currently available at T1. Often crowded, many users have reported to us poor food offerings. I pass there often and confirm the decidedly lower level compared to the rest of the lounges at FCO.
To gain access you only need to be a Priority pass holder, Dragon Pass, Lounge Buddy, but it also has direct agreements with some airlines that use this contract lounge for premium and frequent flyer passengers, notably Iberia and Finnair.
The lounges in terminal 3 at Fiumicino
Fiumicino Terminal 3 is where long-haul and direct flights out of the Schengen area take place. This is where flights to England, North Africa and, of course, all intercontinental routes depart from Italy's main airport.
In total there are 5 lounges plus one under construction.
Plaza Premium
One cannot help but start with this independent lounge that was recently Voted the fifth best independent lounge in the world. I personally think it is a nice lounge with good service, but it does not deserve to be in the world top 5. Perhaps in the European top 10 would be a better placement.
The lounge is located on the upper floor of the terminal, past the customs check and through duty free, we go up the escalator and and behind us we will have the entrance to this lounge.
Access is allowed free of charge to holders of American Express Platinum and to travelers departing with one of the carriers that has an agreement with the lounge, based on ticket and status. It is also possible to gain access for a fee, but it is not a practice I would recommend, at least if you don't have to wait many hours at the airport.
Piazza di Spagna ITA Airways
This is currently the main ITA Airways lounge, as for the others are the old repainted Alitalia lounges. In recent months, the service has definitely improved and today it is a complete lounge, although significantly less than what other premium carriers offer at their home airports.
Of course even Saudia has, in the Jeddah lounge, the pizza oven., but the quality of ITA is much better. However, it is logical to expect something better when we think about what carriers such as KLM, Air France and British Airways offer in their respective HUBs.
Our rating had been 6.5/10, today I would say we went up to 7/10.
FCO's other lounges
Since it is not my main departure airport, I have not yet been able to visit the other lounges. Although I have Gold status with British Airways, I have never transited with an Oneworld airline from FCO, and the same I have never departed with Emirates to Dubai from Rome.
Then there is a Prima Vista lounge in the satellite of Terminal E, currently, it is only open in the morning because there are no other flights departing in the afternoon. And a Prima Vista is in the process of opening in the central body of the non-Schengen terminal.
In conclusion
The level of lounges at Fiumicino is on average higher than at Malpensa. However, there is no match for what Amsterdam or London offer. What is sure to change will be the openings scheduled in the coming months.
