Star Alliance Lounge (Landside)

Star Alliance customers have their choice of two Star Alliance Lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport Terminal 1.

The Star Alliance landside Lounge is situated in Terminal 1 within the non-Schengen zone, immediately after passport control, but before security. The club welcomes elite and premium passengers flying with Star Alliance, as well as members of Priority Pass, a popular global airport lounge access program.

Customers traveling within Europe’s Schengen zone are welcome to use the Star Alliance landside Lounge, however they will need to carry their passport and should leave one hour before boarding in order to go through passport control and security. Passengers departing from gates 60-68 will find more conveniently-located Lufthansa lounges near their boarding gates.

Star Alliance Gold members and business class passengers bound for a destination outside Europe’s Schengen zone are welcome to visit the new Star Alliance airside lounge, which is located after security, in the satellite terminal, minutes from the departure gates.

Star Alliance Lounge (Landside) CDG design

The opening of the Star Alliance landside lounge in 2008 was the culmination of the world’s largest airline alliance’s efforts to create a mini-hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle, an airport heavily dominated by SkyTeam. The club serves all Star Alliance airlines, with a few exceptions such as Air Canada, which operates from Terminal 2.

The Star Alliance Lounge Paris was remodeled in 2014 and then in early 2019. The elegant lobby, situated on the 10th floor of the terminal, leads to a fresh but dark and cavernous space. The floor was originally designed as an office area with low ceilings, and the only daylight emanates from the adjacent outdoor patio.

The design of the two-level club aims to evoke the feel of a Parisian interior: somewhere in-between a café, with marble tables and booths outfitted with traditional French patterns and textures, and a traditional apartment, with hardwood floors throughout. Black-and-white photography celebrates the many sights of Paris. The mesh-like pattern of the screen that divides the lower-floor space evokes the web of streets of the French capital.

The décor is subtly elegant, if not quite authentic, but the conservative color palette is an unfortunate choice for a space that’s naturally dark.

Guests have their choice of seating options. Near the lobby is a large shared work table outfitted with numerous power outlets. Near the buffet area are inviting dining booths. In the center are comfortable couch-like seats, arranged in a smart layout that caters both to solo travelers and couples. Finally, more traditional individual seats are located along the wall opposite the buffet area. The layout achieves relatively high density without excessively sacrificing privacy, thanks to the low dividers throughout. All seats come with power outlets and USB ports, and many feature individual reading lights.

Near the window, under the staircase, is a more secluded work area. There are also a few nooks with additional seating.

The upper level, where the First Class lounge used to be located, now functions as an overflow space, though it is furnished somewhat more luxuriously. The upper floor benefits from additional daylight and features a few design highlights such as an adorable cozy nook with a fireplace, and a variety of sofas, high-backed chairs, and intimate seating options for couples.

First Class passengers benefit from an intimate cordoned-off area which accommodates about twelve guests. While hardly luxurious, the space is sparsely and elegantly furnished. Each passenger benefits from a comfortable amount of privacy with high-backed seats and individual coffee tables. Large photographs of Paris adorn the walls. While the aesthetics of the room are enjoyable, the long window wall along the patio makes all the difference, providing a comfortable amount of daylight as well as relaxing views.

Star Alliance Lounge (Landside) CDG amenities

A unique amenity of the Star Alliance Lounge is the outdoor patio, which welcomes guests year-round with cocktail tables and metal chairs that would be right at home at the Luxembourg or Tuileries. Umbrellas are available at the reception desk. The concept has its appeal, but it’s worth noting that the space functions primarily as a smoking area, and is enclosed an all sides and thus doesn’t feature views of any kind.

The buffet offers a selection of hot and cold appetizers, salads and entrees, as well as soft and alcoholic drinks. In the morning, patrons will find warm French pastries, smoked salmon, and scrambled eggs, among other breakfast items. Throughout the day, soups, salads, mini sandwiches and hot dishes are available. While the spread doesn’t quite showcase French gastronomy, it’s nevertheless enjoyable and substantial. A wide selection of self-serve alcoholic beverages is also available.

In the First Class section, patrons can help themselves from a slightly higher-end selection of alcoholic beverages, as well as bottled water to go. There’s also a small buffet with a hot entrees.

Bathrooms are located on both floors. Two spacious shower suites are situated on the lower level and are outfitted with a toilet, shower, sink, hairdryer, heated towel rack, and baby changing facilities. A bath towel and bath mat are provided, and shower gel is available in a wall-mounted dispenser. Inquire with the receptionist who will provide a key in exchange for your boarding pass.

Other amenities include fast Wi-Fi as well as a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Star Alliance Lounge (Landside) CDG bottom line

The Star Alliance Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport is not luxurious by any stretch—the lack of natural light and crowds at peak times can be underwhelming—but the design is pleasant, the food selection enjoyable, and the showers, outdoor patio, and convenient work spaces make for a well-rounded line-up of amenities. For First Class passengers, there’s not much to look forward to besides a quieter and substantially more private area.

Make sure to leave early in anticipation for the long walk to the satellite gates and security controls. Passengers flying within Europe’s Schengen zone will need to go through passport control upon exiting.

For more details, read our blog post: Inside the newly remodeled Star Alliance Lounge Paris