The small Salzburg Airport has long lacked a lounge for premium travelers, despite ongoing demand from both airlines and passengers. Indeed, while the charming Austrian town is hardly a mainstream business destination, the city where Mozart was born boasts a rich history which attracts architecture and music lovers. Seminars and conferences fill up hotels on a regular basis, and the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws tourists year round.
Lack of real estate — a rather typical challenge — has prevented Salzburg Airport from ever offering an lounge. The solution, as is often the case, turned out to be the relocation of office space. Yet, only so much space could be carved out, so the brand new Business Lounge unveiled earlier this month is rather intimate at 80 sq. m. (an equivalent of approximately 800 sq. ft.) with a maximum capacity of 25 patrons. That’s cozy and exclusive for sure, although time will tell if the capacity is sufficient.
The gorgeous design by DERENKO features hardwood floors and leather seats, designer lamps, and warm tones throughout, which create a cozy and luxurious vibe. The lounge offers great views on the tarmac and benefits from plenty of daylight.
Business Lounge – Salzburg, Austria (SZG)
Patrons will enjoy a solid range of amenities for a lounge this size, including a bathroom, a business center, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a selection of newspapers and magazines. The facility will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Food wise, snacks will be available all day, along with a breakfast spread with pastries in the morning, and sandwiches and desserts after 11:00 a.m. A daily cold or hot dish will also be available. On the beverage front, the buffet offers coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine, sparkling wine, international spirits, and local schnapps.
The lounge is owned and operated by Salzburg Airport and will initially welcome British Airways and Turkish Airlines premium passengers, though the sign at the door already shows Lufthansa and Austrian — indeed, the airport is finalizing an agreement with the Lufthansa Group. Air Berlin is also expected to join very soon too.
Passengers flying any airline in any class of service may also purchase a one-time pass for 36 euros, which is in line with typical one-time lounge access fees, although the value of the fee will depend on the extent of the catering options over time. At this point, there is no word from global lounge access providers such as Priority Pass and Lounge Club regarding access for their members. While we’d love an alternative to paying the one-time access fee, the reality is that with a capacity of just 25 customers, it’s unclear whether the lounge can support additional traffic.
Either way, the opening of the Business Lounge at Salzburg airport is a major milestone in the history of the airport, and we’re excited to see the addition of a gorgeous club for premium passengers.
Pictures © Copyright Salzburg Airport