Primeclass Lounge

Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2024 Olympics, it’s been quite the shake-up at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Some terminals have undergone major construction, closing for months at a time—and causing a game of musical chairs in the process.

After an extended closure, Terminal 2A came back to life early 2024, but several airline lounges remain closed as of writing. To fill the gap, the primeclass Lounge opened in May 2024.

The club is operated by TAV, a global airport services powerhouse, of which Groupe ADP, Charles de Gaulle airport’s parent company, is a major stakeholder. TAV Operations is also behind the flagship “Extime Lounge” brand, which features two locations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2B-2D. The fact that the Terminal 2A lounge was branded as “primeclass” in lieu of “Extime” suggests that the airport authority may not have deemed Terminals 2A-C worthy of a major investment in the ground experience.

The primeclass Lounge CDG is situated at the junction between Terminals 2A and 2C, in the common lounge area immediately after the common security checkpoint and passport control. The club welcomes airline-invited guests, TAV Passport cardholders, and pay-in customers.

There’s another pay-in lounge next door—the Paul Maxence Lounge—but neither club accepts Priority Pass.

Primeclass Lounge CDG design

The primeclass Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2AC is a bit of a time capsule. The club is the reincarnation of the defunct Etihad Lounge, which was mothballed back in 2018 when Etihad exited the lounge business.

The primeclass Lounge still sports the middle eastern carrier’s original décor and furnishings. At first glance, the facility feels high-end. Etihad’s residential design was, indeed, a hallmark of elegance and sophistication back in its heyday.

Upon a closer look, though, you can’t help but notice scruffs and marks and other unmistakable signs of wear and tear. Service cuts are also obvious; the empty magazine racks stand as a testament of days gone by. More problematic is the overall lack of power outlets: the club was designed before personal electronic devices became ubiquitous. While the décor remains attractive, the primeclass lounge could use a refresh.

The lounge is roughly divided into a sitting area and a dining area. Upon entering, you’ll find yourself in the “living room”, a beautifully-crafted space outfitted with plush carpeting, tastefully-decorated bookcases, oversized armchairs and sofas, and large coffee tables. Soft lighting and Earth tones foster a restful ambiance conducive to rest and relaxation. If only there were more power outlets…

The dining room stands in sharp contrast with the sitting area. It’s bright, bold, and geometric, with white flooring and sharp pops of orange and golden hues. The windows reveal a glimpse of the tarmac, as well as close-up views over the legendary—albeit outdated—architecture of Terminals 2A and 2C. There is a tantalizing small outdoor space, but sadly it’s designated as an emergency exit and thus off-limits to lounge patrons.

Again, the main issue is the absolute dearth of power outlets. The only power points are along the window-side high-top seats, and when we visited, the lounge staff was using some of them to charge their own devices.

The other two areas of note are a tiny business center with two work carrousels (a blast from the past) and a semi-private nook, which used to serve as a VIP space back in Etihad’s days. While it’s still labeled as “Reserved”, you’re probably welcome to sit there anyway.

Overall, the primeclass Lounge Paris Charles de Gaulle is a nice and enjoyable space, just a bit past in prime and in need of a touch-up. Let’s explore the amenities.

Primeclass Lounge CDG amenities

Under Etihad’s management, the lounge used to be a haven of luxury and service. The transition to a pay-in lounge naturally came with some service cuts, though the primeclass Lounge still punches above its weight as an independent club.

The culinary offerings are the main highlight. Quality varies throughout the day. Breakfast is your typical international buffet, with staples such as scrambled eggs, sausage, baked beans, and fried potatoes—along with French pastries. It’s nothing to write home about. On the other hand, the hot lunch buffet is quite enjoyable. The spread includes French specialties such as blanquette de veau (veal), poulet sauce forestiere (chicken), salmon, and several vegetable dishes, all prepared freshly on site in the lounge’s kitchen. The dessert bar steals the show with a delectable pear tart and other treats. There’s also a fruit stand with bananas, pears, apples, and oranges, as well as a cooler with yoghurt and other “grab-and-go” options.

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, the offering is a mixed of a mixed bag. You may notice a selection of liquor and spirits, but in reality the only available options are a couple of red and white wines, as well as a sparkling wine—which, gasp, isn’t even Champagne. It looks like the lounge is setup to pour more premium options should one of the airline customers pay for the service, but when we visited, requests for cocktails as simple as a bloody mary were flatly denied.

On the non-alcoholic front, you’ll find a cooler with juices, soda, spring water, and even a few luxuries such as San Pelegrino sparkling water. We love the ability to grab a bottle of water to go ahead of a long flight.

While the primeclass Lounge technically has two shower rooms, they’re a leftover from Etihad’s days and not an official amenity. If you ask the front desk, they’ll tell you that the lounge doesn’t have showers. But in fact, you’ll find showers in the handicapped bathroom stalls, and they’re quite spacious and well-maintained. Should you choose to make use of this unofficial amenity, you’ll need to bring your own towel (body wash and shampoo are available.)

Other amenities include two prayer rooms as well as a fun and colorful family room outfitted with games, toys, and a flat-screen TV.

Primeclass Lounge CDG bottom line

The primeclass Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at Terminals 2A-2C is a pleasant and enjoyable lounge featuring an elegant seating area and a generous hot buffet. The staff is helpful and tries their best to help customers despite the language barrier, and does a great job at fetching guests ahead of each departure.

Perhaps more importantly, the primeclass Lounge is relatively quiet. The club isn’t particularly exclusive, considering that anyone can buy their way in. But the only accepted membership card is the rather elusive TAV Passport card, which helps minimize crowding.

With that said, the focus on “value engineering” is unfortunate. The airport has resurrected a decade-old space without making any improvements or adding power outlets. The magazine racks sit empty. The showers are technically out of service. The bar is primarily a display piece, with very few options actually available. This makes the primeclass Lounge an excellent option for short-haul flights, but a slightly underwhelming amenity for intercontinental travel.

Paris Airport should consider merging the primeclass Lounge with the adjacent Paul Maxence Lounge and building out a premium Extime Lounge. The space has so much potential.

Note that the furthest gates in Terminals 2A and 2C are roughly 15 minutes away. Be sure to allocate enough time to reach your gate.