Air France KLM Lounge
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Air France KLM Lounge – Washington Dulles (IAD)
The Air France Lounge was completely remodeled early 2019. The cramped and tired facility made way for a modern and attractive space with a new overflow lower level, a separate dining room, and a luminous private area for La Premiere (First Class) customers.
The white entrance blends with the minimalistic terminal décor and would be easy to miss, if it weren’t for the line that occasionally snakes outside the door — the club can be busy at peak times. Air France customers may check in at one the automated kiosks, while other guests should inquire with one of the customer service agents.
Air France KLM Lounge IAD design
The Air France KLM Lounge at Washington Dulles airport received a major facelift early 2019, and by all accounts, the French flag carrier has hit a home run.
Air France KLM Lounge – Washington Dulles (IAD)
The bright, airy, and luminous 7,000 square-foot open space boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic tarmac views. It’s a prime vantage point over Dulles airport’s storied main terminal and vintage mobile lounges.
Playful colors, smooth lines, and curves give the space a fresh and lively vibe. A sculptural showcase bar with a wine wall seamlessly separates the tucked-away La Premiere area from the main lounge space. At the center, dramatic light fixtures delineate a convivial dining area with circular booths.
The décor is resolutely modern without being excessively minimalistic. The space is ultra-functional, with power outlets at every seat, and a variety of seating options catering to multiple needs. Guests have their choice of plush sofas, convivial egg chairs and tabletop seating along the windows, and dining tables. Privacy is limited—the floor plan is definitely efficient—but the remodeled lounge feels far less cramped than the former space.
On the left side of the lobby is a dining room with a large communal table and 10 tables for two. The room was designed for Air France’s defunct a-la-carte restaurant service, and is now open to all lounge guests.
Air France KLM Lounge Dulles bar area
A new overflow basement level opens in the afternoons when the crowds swell. The designers have incorporated innovative Italian-made fake skylights that simulates daylight in order to enhance guest wellbeing. In addition to additional traditional seating and dining spaces, the downstairs room features noise-buffered private alcoves.
The alcove in the rear of the lounge, opposite the lobby, is typically cordoned-off for VIPs or left vacant, an odd choice considering that Air France offers a much more private and better-appointed separate zone for La Premiere customers.
Air France KLM Lounge IAD amenities
The Air France KLM Lounge at Washington Dulles airport features a well-rounded line-up of amenities aimed at international travelers.
Buffet at the Air France KLM Lounge Washington Dulles
Guests will find a selection of snacks, finger food, sandwiches, fruit, and treats with a French flair. The ham sandwiches made with French baguette are a highlight, as is the expansive bread selection. While the real china and silverware are a nice touch, the spread is relatively modest overall, though Air France offers a broader selection in the evenings, outside Priority Pass hours.
The beverage selection is notable, on the other hand. Air France offers Taittinger Champagne, draft beers on tap, an assortment of red and white wines, as well as an expansive choice of liquor and spirits. Unfortunately, soft drinks are not self-service and must be ordered from the bar. Espresso machines and tea are also available.
Air France Lounge Washington Dulles dining room
For guests who wish to freshen up, the Air France Lounge at Washington Dulles airport features one shower suite. It is prudent to inquire early as there may be a wait at peak times. The regular bathrooms are slightly under-dimensioned for the lounge, and when we visited they were not in pristine condition (compared to the rest of the space which was spotless.)
Other amenities include secure Wi-Fi and a selection of international newspapers and magazines.
Private area for Air France La Premiere passengers at the Air France Lounge Washington Dulles
Air France La Premiere (First Class) passengers may retire to a dedicated area tucked in behind a door marked “Private.” (Note that Hippocampe members do not have access to the First Class area.) The premium space was designed back when Air France routinely operated an Airbus A380 between the US and French capitals, and as such is comfortably oversized for the intimate four-passenger First Class section of the airline’s Boeing 777.
The La Premiere area is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, a sofa, designer chairs, and two elegant dining tables with prime tarmac views. Guests receive personal service, a-la-carte dining, and premium beverages.
Air France KLM Lounge IAD bottom line
The newly-renovated Air France Lounge at Washington Dulles airport has multiple facets, and your experience may vary.
Air France KLM Lounge – Washington Dulles (IAD)
Throughout the day, Priority Pass members and other pay-in guests will find an elegant and well-appointed space with expansive tarmac views, a shower suite, a modest but enjoyable snack selection, and a superior complimentary bar. The club can get busy at peak times, though the 2019 addition of a new basement level has mitigated the issue.
Air France customers will enjoy the slightly more expansive food selection with a French flair, while business class passengers departing on the evening flight to Paris will be treated to a complimentary a-la-carte dinner, served restaurant-style in an elegant dining room.
Air France La Premiere customers are invited to retire to a well-appointed private area with superior views, personal attention, and table service.
Overall, the Air France Lounge Dulles remodel is spectacular, and the new lounge is one of the better clubs at Washington Dulles airport. It beats, by a long shot, the dominant carrier United’s rundown membership-based clubs, but is a far cry from the luxuries of United’s exclusive Polaris Lounge for business class customers. Compared to other carriers located in Concourses A-B, Air France has newer facilities than British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Etihad, but stops short of offering a-la-carte dining ahead of every flight unlike its competitors. Should Air France extend meal service hours, the French flag carrier would have a winning product.
- The modern and airy design.
- The expansive tarmac views.
- The generous alcoholic beverage selection.
- The restaurant service (only for business class passengers departing on the evening flight.)
- The crowds at peak times.
- The inconsistent product (pre-flight dining is exclusive to the evening flight.)
- The small bathrooms and single shower suite (inquire early.)
Air France KLM Lounge at Washington, DC - Dulles (IAD) welcomes:
- Pay-in customers: relax at the lounge no matter what airline you’re flying. Purchase access now and save time and money.
- Air France La Premiere passengers departing on a same-day flight.
- Air France Hippocampe (HIPP) passengers departing on a same-day flight.
- Air France and KLM Business Class passengers departing on a same-day flight.
- Air France Economy and Premium Economy Class passengers departing on a same-day flight, for a fee payable in cash or miles.
- Air France Flying Blue Gold, Platinum, and Club 2000 members departing on or connecting to/from a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member, in any class of service (+1 guest)
- International First and Business Class passengers departing on or connecting to/from a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline.
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members departing on or connecting to/from a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline, in any class of service (+1 guest)
Notes:
- Guests must be traveling on any flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline. Member must remain with the guests at all times during the visit.
- Lounge access will be provided only at your departure airport and not on arrival, unless you are connecting to a domestic flight or other qualifying international flight.
Cards accepted
Delta Sky Club
When flying Delta or a partner airline
DragonPass
No access at peak hours
Lounge Key
No access at peak hours
Priority Pass (Standard, Standard Plus, Prestige)
No access at peak hours
You may have access to Air France KLM Lounge as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details, or use our lounge access wizard to find out if you have access.
SkyTeam
Access for eligible customers traveling on any SkyTeam member airline.
 | Aerolineas Argentinas (AR) |  | Aeromexico (AM) |  | Air Europa (UX) |
 | Air France (AF) |  | China Airlines (CI) |  | China Eastern (MU) |
 | Delta (DL) |  | Garuda Indonesia (GA) |  | ITA Airways (AZ) |
 | KLM (KL) |  | Kenya Airways (KQ) |  | Korean Air (KE) |
 | MEA Middle East Airlines (ME) |  | SAS (SK) |  | Saudia (SV) |
 | TAROM (RO) |  | Vietnam Airlines (VN) |  | Virgin Atlantic (VS) |
 | Xiamen Airlines (MF) |
Other airlines
 | Emirates (EK) |  | Icelandair (FI) |
3.0 / 5, based on 48 reviews
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Overall ratings
Available for PP at 11am on a weekday. Nice breakfast/snack spread. Mostly full of customers for the Korean airline’s midday flight.
A pretty standard lounge with some food at the buffet and full service bar. Not great, not terrible. Please note they discontinued the pre-flight dinner service on the AF27 departure so don’t count on that
Post-COVID, they are pretty much back to not accepting PP, except maybe in the morning. I would not expect to get in after noon unless flying business class on Skyteam. And the main room is usually very crowded, though the downstairs (windowless) room usually is not. Good but simple buffet, good wine and champagne. I like the jambon beure.
After a very bad experience with AirFrance charging us nearly $700 in heavy baggage fees that we were not expecting (We booked through Delta and followed Delta’s baggage allowance rules.) we were told that my husband’s credit card would get us free access to the AirFrance KLM lounge near our International Departure gate. Upon entering into the lounge the mail attendant told us that what we had would not allow us to come in. We explained what the gate attendant told us and I suggested he look at my husband’s credit card to see what was possible. He did not want to look at his credit card. He kept looking at our ticket and saying the same thing over and over again. Finally I asked him very calmly what could be done. For instance, could we just pay for entry? I cannot stress how calmly and politely I did this because I was determined not to get angry and treat him poorly because we’re all human beings just trying to get through this life. After asking him this, he turned to me and said slowly and quietly, “Madam, PLEASE! I am trying to get you in this lounge.” I was shocked. I was not being rude or trying to get something for free and he treated me as if I had just unloaded on him.
As a note to AirFrance when training their employees on how to deliver customer service, not raising your voice does make you polite or helpful. You can be rude and condescending quietly with both your words and your tone. I will never forget how condescending that man was and it will keep me from flying Air France again. So far the experience has been terrible and we have not even left Dulles yet.
Visited at 12:30 on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Only about a dozen people in the main lounge area, perhaps 1/6 full. Did not visit what looked like a business area or a reserved area. Nice and quiet in the main area with the TV not turned up too loud.
Check-in was easy and quick with my digital Priority Pass card. Scanned the bar code, I signed off, and I was in.
Lounge is reasonably spacious, the open layout and enormous windows make it feel light and airy. The view of the historic Dulles tower is remarkable.
Furniture was very comfortable and outlets were ample. Design is light and modern with very cool light fixtures.
Cold buffet had a reasonable selection – sandwiches, small salad bar, one soup, charcuterie, yogurt, and AMAZING French bread. (Apparently finishing salt is a thing?) Plenty for a light but filling meal. Also some canned sodas available.
There was a small hot plate portion of the buffet with vegetables and lukewarm pizza. Will stick to the cold buffet in the future.
House wines at the bar are all French of course – I had a Sancerre and it was delightful. Quick and pleasant service.
Overall a solid and lovely lounge option especially if you are in the A/B terminal. I still want to try the other Priority Pass lounges at Dulles but I would definitely come back!
It is really back to the pre-Covid quality in the review above. Champagne is Taittinger. My favorite PP lounge in IAD.
A pleasant but overly crowded lounge, offering a shower and an assortment of sandwiches, though no real food.