Star Alliance Lounge

Star Alliance Lounge – Paris CDG (Airside)

Opened late 2023, the Star Alliance Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport Terminal 1 is situated after passport control and security, in the newest wing of the terminal near gates 10-38. The club caters to Star Alliance Business and First Class customers and Star Alliance Gold passengers traveling beyond Europe’s Schengen zone.

To access the Star Alliance lounge, follow signs to gates 10-38, pass through passport control, traverse the long underground hallway, and then clear security. You’ll find yourself in a high-end Duty-Free area. Make a right towards gates 10-26 and take the elevator to the upper floor, where the lounge is located. (Do not follow signs to gates 26-38 as there is no access to the Star Alliance Lounge from the left side of the terminal.)

Star Alliance Lounge – Paris CDG (Airside)

During peak times, the small, slow elevator can be a bottleneck. Unfortunately, there are no stairs in the public area.

The Star Alliance Lounge features convenient subway-style entry gates. As a Star Alliance Gold customer or premium passenger, scan your boarding pass for entry. You can invite a guest if eligible. United Club members may need to check in with the receptionist and present their physical or digital United Club card.

Note: The original Star Alliance Lounge, which was located outside security, closed early 2024. The new Star Alliance Lounge is located after security and is not accessible to passengers traveling within the Schengen zone. The new Star Alliance Lounge does not accept Priority Pass.

Star Alliance Lounge CDG design

Opened in 2023, the Star Alliance airside lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport might surprise travelers familiar with the old and outdated Terminal 1. The terminal, notorious for its 1970s vibe, low ceilings, and dark, cramped spaces, underwent a remarkable makeover during the COVID pandemic. A new, state-of-the-art satellite building now caters to non-Schengen passengers and incorporates a central security checkpoint.

Star Alliance Lounge CDG Parisian-inspired decor

Situated on the upper level of the new terminal, the Star Alliance Lounge was crafted in a bespoke space (unlike the former club, which is located in a converted office space) and boasts fantastic views.

Spanning 14,000 square feet (1,300 square meters), the Star Alliance Lounge Paris can accommodate 300 guests in elegant surroundings. The decor pays homage to Parisian architecture with subtle accents such as crown moldings, hardwood floors, and art pieces inspired by the French capital. Dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the space and offer spectacular tarmac views. Spotless, luminous, and effortlessly elegant, the Star Alliance Lounge Paris boasts one of the alliance’s most inspired designs.

Cocktail bar at the Star Alliance Lounge Paris

The club features several areas, each with a distinct vibe. Generally, guests seeking quiet and privacy will want to turn left upon entering the lounge, while those looking for a more dynamic ambiance may head straight for the wine bar and dining area on the right side.

The main area near the lobby is outfitted with traditional lounge seats and side consoles, with power outlets and USB ports within arm’s reach. Immediately across the lobby, a striking, sculptural cocktail bar is flanked by an intimate sitting area with plush couches. A quote from celebrated French author Marcel Proust, “Le seul, le vrai, l’unique voyage, c’est de changer de regard” dominates the space, continuing the Star Alliance tradition of incorporating famous phrases from local artists and authors in their airport lounges’ decor.

Star Alliance Lounge Paris CDG tea garden

At the heart of the lounge, the elegant wine-tasting room has a distinctive ambiance, with darker tones, a striking wine wall (another signature feature of Star Alliance Lounges), and semi-private nooks.

On the far-right side, the vibrant dining room, inspired by Parisian cafes and brasseries, features ample seating against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows.

On the left side of the lobby are several quieter spaces. The serene “salon de the” (“tea garden”) is furnished with banquette seating and recliners with ottomans overlooking the tarmac. Adjacent is a well-appointed work area with tabletop seating, eight cube chairs, and four spacious and soundproof private individual workspaces.

Star Alliance Lounge Paris terrace

The Star Alliance Lounge Paris also features an attractive indoor-outdoor garden. A large, brightly lit space, furnished with communal tables and indoor plants, flows into a rooftop open-air deck. The terrace features comfortable seats and greenery, though sadly it is located opposite the tarmac and thus lacks any noteworthy views. And unlike the Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles, you won’t find fire pits or an outside bar; the deck primarily serves as a smoking area and can feel a bit dreary on overcast days.

Power points are located at virtually every seat, including in the dining room. There are also several convenient, albeit slow, wireless charging spots.

Gazing at the expansive views, wandering through the luminous space, contemplating the elegant furnishings, it’s difficult not to be impressed with the Star Alliance Lounge Paris. Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 1 has come a long way, and the Star Alliance Lounge is the star of the show. The floor plan strikes the right balance between efficiency and privacy. The decor tastefully celebrates the French capital. The variety of spaces and ambiances should meet any traveler’s mood and requirements. And the solid array of amenities matches the elevated design.

Star Alliance Lounge CDG amenities

Buffet at the Star Alliance Lounge Paris CDG (Airside)

Star Alliance offers a hot buffet with rotating seasonal menus and French specialties, all prepared freshly on-site. The spread is generous, yet the fare isn’t especially impressive. Catering might be the one area where the new lounge isn’t a marked improvement over its predecessor.

Guests will also find an assortment of fruit juices, a Coca-Cola Freestyle dispenser offering a seemingly unlimited array of soda concoctions, a Vivreau water dispenser, three espresso machines, and a selection of teas by French maker Thés de la Pagode.

In terms of alcoholic beverages, Star Alliance offers a selection of wines from the South of France chosen by winemaker Gerard Bertrand, as well as a signature bar with an assortment of liquor and spirits. All alcoholic beverages are self-served.

Star Alliance Lounge Paris CDG shower suite

Four beautifully appointed, marble-clad shower suites are available, outfitted with a luggage rack, a toilet, a designer sink, and a rain shower with eye-catching brass fixtures. The rooms are stocked with Clarins bath products and boast individual thermostats, multiple plush towels, and soothing spa-like background music.

The spacious bathrooms are well-maintained and feature a large (albeit non-private) changing area.

Other amenities include fast Wi-Fi, a VIP room, and access to a variety of newspapers and magazines over the lounge’s Wi-Fi network.

Star Alliance Lounge CDG bottom line

Star Alliance Lounge Paris indoor garden

The beautiful Star Alliance airside Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport marks the dawn of a new era for CDG’s maligned Terminal 1. Fresh, spacious, luminous, elegant, modern, and well-appointed, the Star Alliance Lounge is effortlessly stylish. And unlike its dark, pre-security predecessor, the new club is situated a few minutes away from the departure gates and features excellent tarmac views.

Nevertheless, Star Alliance has missed a few opportunities. The food and beverage selection is generous but somewhat unimpressive. We’d welcome the addition of fresh fruit juices and a handcrafted coffee bar, a feature that is rapidly becoming popular at high-end airport lounges worldwide. Along the same lines, while some guests enjoy pouring their own alcoholic beverages, the addition of an expert bartender would give the experience more cachet.

Finally, unlike its predecessor, the Star Alliance Lounge Paris (airside) does not have a private First Class area. While this isn’t a surprise in light of the declining First Class footprint worldwide, Singapore Airlines still offers daily First Class service to Singapore and beyond.

In any case, the Star Alliance is a lovely place to wait for a flight and enjoy a last taste of French art and design.