The Airport Business Lounge at Domodedovo Airport appeared relatively recently and its main and only purpose is to serve Priority Pass card holders. The airport management acted wisely by dividing the halls into business class passengers and Priority Pass program participants. At Sheremetyevo, most lounges serve two traffic flows at the same time, which is why the lounges are overcrowded and this causes dissatisfaction among business passengers. They can be understood; class of service does not imply running around in circles in search of free space.

Over the past year, we have had the opportunity to stay in the business lounge of Domodedovo Airport three times, but we have never stayed here. The reason for this is the constant overcrowding of the hall. Twice when we planned to visit it, the reception staff warned that the hall was overcrowded. And once the line at the entrance eloquently made it clear that it was better not to even interfere.))

Priority Pass lounge location

The business lounge is located in the international departure area (IDA), after passport control and pre-flight inspection. The hall can be accessed from sectors A or B.

Working hours

The Airport Business Lounge is open 24 hours a day.

Description of the business lounge: conditions and services

The interior of the lounge is made in a modern style, which is not distinguished by frills. Instead of the usual leather chairs, there are wicker chairs a la country style with soft pillows.

The lounge offers its guests cold appetizers, hot meals, and desserts. I can’t say anything about the quality, since I haven’t tried it. The usual story with drinks is juices from packages, carbonated drinks. Alcohol is offered in the form of beer and wine. Only canned beer is freely available, no draft beer. Wine is poured on the bar counter.

The Airport Business Lounge offers standard services provided in luxury lounges - wi-fi, newspapers, television, flight displays, office equipment. There is no children's playroom. An interesting situation with the shower, formally there is a shower room and even works, but the business lounge does not provide sets (towels), so in fact no one uses the service. There is no smoking room in the business lounge, as in the entire Domodedovo airport.

This Turkish flag carrier's lounge consistently ranks among the best in the world. This is understandable: in a spacious room with a real library, in addition to standard services, there is the opportunity to play billiards, video games or even get a massage.

• Location: Airport named after Ataturk, international terminal, departure hall (2nd floor).
• Operating mode: around the clock.
• Service: free Wi-Fi, cinema room, suites for sleep and relaxation, billiard table, library, video games, golf simulator, massage.
• Available to: business class passengers of Turkish Airlines, holders of Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus cards, Star Alliance cards (includes 28 carriers) of the Gold category.

Sydney, Australia: Qantas International First Lounge Sydney

VIP passengers most often praise the Qantas lounge for its interior design, relaxed atmosphere and quality of food in the restaurant.

• Location: International Airport Kingsford Smith, Terminal 1, Level 4.
• Operating mode: 05:00-22:00.
• Service: Wi-Fi, Apple computers, suites for sleep and relaxation, meeting rooms, library, spa, massage, showers.
• Available to: first class passengers of Qantas and Emirates airlines, members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty program with Platinum and Platinum One status, members of the Oneworld loyalty program (13 carriers) with Emerald status.

New York, USA: Virgin Atlantic New York Clubhouse

The Virgin Atlantic lounge features an area with futuristic armchairs and a large semicircular sofa. Guests are offered free food and drinks. To relax in one of the world's busiest airports, you can order one free spa service, such as a haircut, massage or manicure.

Helsinki, Finland: Almost@home Lounge

This lounge area turned out as if the interior samples and restaurant in IKEA stores were made by Finns, only at the airport. The name speaks for itself: they strive to provide guests with a cozy atmosphere and the most “homely” conditions possible - even to the point that you can wear woolen socks knitted by the lounge workers, or take something from the food (for example, a bowl of soup) with a large open kitchens. Even the dedicated area for business travelers in the Almost@home Lounge is called the “home office” - here you can comfortably sit with a laptop on wide armchairs, and there is a corner for making coffee and tea.

• Location: Helsinki Airport, next to gate 32.
• Operating mode: Mon-Fri 5:30-23:30.
• Service: relaxation areas with kitchen, living room and library, area for working on laptops, office corner with computers and PlayStation.
• Access:€48 entry fee, pre-booking possible by phone and via the airport's mobile app.

Taoyuan, Taiwan: The Infinity lounge

Taiwanese airline EVA Air's futuristic-designed lounge caters primarily to business travelers, with high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets, computers and fax machines.

• Location: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Terminal 2, Departure Area 4F.
• Operating mode: daily 04:30-23:30.
• Service: free Wi-Fi in the recreation area, business center (desktop PCs, fax, telephone), TV, reading area with newspapers and magazines, showers.
• Available to: EVA Air business class passengers and BR Royal Laurel, Premium Laurel classes, first and business class passengers of Star Alliance member airlines (28 carriers).

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: VIP Lounge Punta Cana

The lounge area was opened at the Punta Cana airport in February 2018. It differs from previous lounges by having a swimming pool on the outdoor terrace overlooking the parking lot and the runway. For added relaxation, each guest is offered two free local alcoholic drinks.

• Location: Punta Cana International Airport, Terminal B, 3rd floor, next to Gate 24.
• Operating mode: daily 08:00-21:00.
• Service: Wi-Fi, TV, fax, showers.
• Available to: Priority Pass program members. Stay time is limited to two hours.

Note: Data as of May 2018.

Jetsetters know that a good airport lounge costs a lot, and not every hub can boast of having a truly proper lounge area for business class passengers. Our correspondent found out what the lounge industry is built on

The lounge area is the airline's calling card. A place where there might be a rock star, an oil tycoon or a picky art critic at the table next to you. This is a face-to-face product. And this face must be flawless. They spend exorbitant sums on the arrangement and reconstruction of the halls, and they wait in line for years for the right to have their own VIP representation.

The lounge begins with the environment. A psychological trick is triggered, a “lice check” - a passenger who suddenly appears on the doorstep must definitely want to stay. And preferably longer. On the one hand, the interior design should convey the aesthetics and philosophy of the airline, on the other hand, it should reflect the geographical location.

The best of the best in the lounge industry are honored annually at the Skytrax Airport Awards. About 50,000 frequent flyers and experts take part in the selection. The overall impression of the service and environment, as well as the quality of the required services, are assessed. Australia's Qantas, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific lounge, Dubai's Emirates and Abu Dhabi's Etihad consistently feature at the top of the list.

At the end of 2013, the Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt am Main Airport was recognized as the best European lounge. “Scope” is already in the name—the hall actually occupies an entire terminal, located in a shimmering, self-contained building. Everything here is grown-up: your own checkpoints, a security system and, if desired, express delivery to the plane in the style of pretentious clips of rap artists in a limousine. Or spacious single rooms in the form of black glass cubes, decorated with marble, with wardrobes, smooth leather armchairs, dozens of mirrors, a shower reminiscent of a fresh tropical downpour, and, of course, an alarm clock.

“The services provided to passengers vary depending on the location of the lounge area and the needs of travelers in a particular part of the world,” says Mei Mei Song, PR manager of one of the main operators in the market of Plaza Premium Lounge. “We collect serious expert data before than launching a new project. Much depends, for example, on the average time a passenger spends in the transit area. For example, Hong Kong is a large air hub, travelers spend long hours in it. We equipped our new lounge area here with small stands with built-in cameras so that guests can "We can chat easily via Skype or Facebook. We also use Oxyvital technology indoors, which enriches you with oxygen. This helps cope with illnesses and simply makes the passenger happier."

The permanent leader of all prestigious top lists is the lounge at Singapore's Changi International Airport with flocks of tropical butterflies, a pond with golden carp, live relaxing music and a gym. Residents of the luxury zone (as well as other passengers for a fee) can have a blast on the Slide@T3 attraction, a slide several floors high.

To build a lounge, you need to gather serious expert data. Much depends on the average time a passenger spends in the transit zone

In terms of appearance, one of the most spectacular lounges is the Turkish Airlines premium lounge, or CIP (Commercial Important Person Lounge) for short, at Istanbul International Airport. The main architectural elements of the interior were large windows, openwork arches and spherical partitions. Not without carpets! They added national flavor to the space.

Or another, diametrically opposed example - the interior of the Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse, designed under the direct supervision of the eccentric owner Richard Branson. The lounge club resembles either a VIP space station, or a billionaire’s own home, or was inspired by the Mad Men series and the aesthetics of the 1960s. The Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse boasts multiple cinemas, old-fashioned Pac-Man and Frogger video games and... a professional recording studio.

The specialist in luxury options for air passengers is British Airways. The multi-million pound boutique hotel-style complex at Heatrow Airport has been designed by design superstars Davies+Baron for business class passengers. The six local suites are furnished to match, with Swarovski crystal chandeliers, antique armchairs, fireplaces and designer life-size wooden horses. The conference room features real seats from Concorde high-speed airliners, long out of production but still a symbol of luxury in aviation.

The main draw of the Delta Sky Club is the spacious open terrace SkyDeck with an abundance of vegetation, developed in collaboration with the authoritative publication Architectural Digest, which allows you to watch hundreds of aircraft take off and land in real time. At the Euroairport Skyview Lounge at Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport, the visual experience is enhanced by a huge glass dome.

Often, waiting rooms resemble not a place for temporary shelter, but an exhibition of the achievements of contemporary art. Thus, the famous English designer Mark Newson designed the interiors of the Qantas First Lounge in Sydney. A big fan of postmodernism, he wanted to make the recreation area look like an art object. The walls of the library's reading room were covered with flashy red varnish, and the central hall was covered with a vertical garden of 8,500 plant species.

There is a permanent exhibition of contemporary Asian art in the private zone of Changi International Airport; in the Concorde Premium Lounge, world masterpieces from the private collection of British Airways are on display for passengers.

An important component of the lounge industry is the kitchen. Dear guests need to be fed and fed well. “In our new lounge in Hong Kong, we have created a very fun stand with dining tables, where you can order traditional hot dishes of local cuisine, prepared according to an individual recipe for each passenger, based on their preferences,” say the Plaza Premium Lounge. “An absolute hit is the noodles.” with fish balls and XO sauce. Loved by celebrities and highly praised by restaurant critics. The broth is based on a mixture of the freshest fish of the highest quality, and the sauce is made from a mixture of chili peppers, garlic, Chinese ham and other ingredients. Passengers ask every time where You can purchase our XO to be sure to take it with you.

Air France La Premiere Lounge offers a menu of gourmet dishes designed by Alain Ducasse himself. In the restaurant of the award-winning chef and restaurateur of our time, they promise exquisite table service, waiters in white with bow ties, and a delicate truffle or grape snail “wrapped” in wine to take with you on the plane to while away the flight. An à la carte menu is also available in the Etihad Airlines lounge. “You can do this in the very center of our kitchen, sitting at the chef’s table,” the airline says.

An important component of the lounge industry is the kitchen. Dear guests need to be fed, and fed well

At the Australian Qantas, the kitchen is run by TV star Neil Perry, who often gives master classes. And at two Heatrow lounges in London is the culinary world's other big boss, Gordon Ramsay. Next door to the Hell's Kitchen restaurant is the Oxygen Bar. During a 10-minute session, you will be able to saturate your lungs with oxygen, “flavored” with the aroma of citrus fruits or clean air. A good tone for many lounges is a sophisticated wine gallery. The Etihad Airways First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport features a champagne bar with sparkling drinks from brands such as Billecart-Salmon or Brut Blanc de Blancs from the exclusive collection. And in the Lufthansa First Terminal Lounge there are 80 varieties of whiskey. It is not surprising that time spent in the lounge becomes an independent, enjoyable and memorable episode of the trip.

It's good when planes fly strictly on schedule. Then it is enough to show up at the airport at the time of check-in for the flight (and for those who managed to do this online, at the time of boarding) and not languish over a long wait. But force majeure circumstances occasionally arise, and you have to wait for a flight for several hours. Then the question arises, how to spend this time more comfortably?

Waiting rooms

Air terminals have publicly accessible departure lounges. But not all of them are convenient for a long stay there. The places in them are usually sedentary, and you won’t be able to truly relax. It will be especially uncomfortable for people with health problems, pregnant women and passengers with children.

To have a snack while the plane is delayed, you will have to leave the waiting room and go in search of a cafe or at least fast food outlets. It is not a fact that during this time your chair will not be occupied, and you will not have to look for a new one.

The common halls of airports are, in fact, a “passage yard” where people are constantly scurrying about and there is a din. Such conditions cannot be called comfortable - neither relax in silence, nor concentrate on reading. And not all waiting rooms have free Wi-Fi.

Another thing is the lounges. Among airport lounges, the business lounge is the most comfortable place to relax. VIP persons who can rightfully use the services of such waiting rooms are business class passengers.

The delights of business lounges

Priority fares for air tickets apply to the creation of amenities not only in the cabin of the aircraft, but also while waiting for the flight in the terminal. Business class passengers can visit special lounges that provide the opportunity to enjoy maximum comfort:

• there are comfortable soft chairs and sofas where you can relax;

• in the prestigious recreation area there is a buffet where cold or hot snacks, aromatic coffee and other drinks (including alcohol) are served, for which you do not have to pay - everything is included in the ticket price;
• being in silence and solitude, you can read entertaining literature or watch TV, which is installed in the business lounge;
• VIP passengers are provided with showers where they can freshen up free of charge;
• some lounges offer the services of a hairdresser, cosmetologist or massage therapist;
• Children have not been forgotten here either - most business lounges have game rooms;
• The lounge will also provide a comfortable stay for nursing and pregnant women.

The prospect of such a break during a long wait attracts many passengers. Business lounge services at the airport may also be available to holders of economy class tickets (subject to availability and availability) if they pay for this service to the lounge administration at the rate established by the specific airport.

Note! One of the options for gaining access to business lounges around the world is to become one of the members of the Priority Pass “club”.

Comfort with Priority Pass

Having economy class tickets in hand, but being the owner of Priority Pass or its electronic version in the smartphone application, passengers begin to enter the lounge area of ​​a number of hubs.

All the delights of such a holiday become available to them. At the same time, the passenger can relax here with his family or invite friends with him (no more than 10 people in total), who will help brighten up the waiting time.

People on a business trip will find it more comfortable to work here. They will be provided with office equipment: a computer (if you don’t have a laptop with you), a copy machine and scanner, and a fax. Free internet is available in all business lounges.

The lounges have a conference room where you can hold a business meeting, negotiations or arrange a meeting with colleagues. To be able to enjoy the benefits of priority lounges, you should inquire about how to obtain a Priority card.

How to apply for a card

The Priority Pass card itself is neither a credit nor a debit card. This is something akin to a club business card confirming participation in the priority recreation program. There are several options for purchasing it:

• Most Russian banks offer it to their clients who are holders of Gold level plastic and above;
• The client can take the initiative by submitting an application for membership in the program to his bank;

Important! Registration of Priority Pass by the bank is free for the client.

• Another option to get a card is to visit the website www.prioritypass.com and apply for its issue; this will already cost money and will cost from 99 €/year. To do this, you need to have a cash account of one of the banks participating in the program, from where annual fees and payments for lounge visits will be withdrawn in the future (if this implies a tariff).

In the future, in order to enter the priority lounge and use its services, it is not necessary to present the card itself - you can download the application to your smartphone from the same website.

How to use the card

When visiting the business lounge, you do not have to pay in cash - at the entrance you scan the code of your Priority Pass card (or application on your smartphone). This is followed by the debiting of funds from the bank client’s main card according to the tariff in force in a particular financial institution. Each bank sets its own conditions for using the service, which need to be clarified in advance:

• some cards provide a fixed number of visits to the business lounge by the client himself free of charge;
• other banks reward customers with free unlimited data for a year;
• third option - each visit is paid, with a fixed price of 24 € / person.

When visiting airport business lounges using a card received online, slightly different rates apply (they are chosen by the client):

• basic option - 24 € will be debited from the main account (and for guests too) for each visit to the business lounge; This tariff costs 99€ per year;
• the average level, the price of which is 249 € / year, gives the cardholder 10 free visits to the lounge throughout the year, but for each guest you will have to pay 24 €;
• the third tariff is the highest, for 399 € per annum, which allows the client unlimited access to the business lounge throughout the year without payment, but guest visits are paid here too.

Note! The opportunity to enjoy comfort for free many times throughout the year at airports around the world is quite a profitable purchase for those who often use airplanes.

Some nuances

Before ordering a Priority Pass card, you should take into account some of the nuances associated with this program:

• Not all airports in the world (and in Russia as well) participate in the program, so you should first go to the website www.prioritypass.com and carefully study the list of hubs with available prestige lounges;
• Some major airlines (such as Emirates) have their own lounges at international airports, and here the Priority Pass program will not be effective;
• Each airport has its own list of amenities for such lounges; It’s better to know in advance what you can expect; to do this, you should visit the website of the hub where you plan to wait for the flight;
• When planning a relaxation in the business lounge, you should take into account the time of day - some lounges are not open at night (for example, in Spain);
• You should also take into account the waiting time for your flight - a standard visit to the business lounge is usually determined by 4 hours; after they expire, the countdown for the next visit begins, which is not very profitable with paid tariffs.

Note! The priority lounge card is linked to your main bank account.

If the Priority Pass tariff involves paying for your own visits, as well as for invited guests, then you need to monitor the availability of funds on the main card. Due to their shortage, the lounge administration has the right to refuse to provide you with comfortable services.

Rules for using business lounges

The lounge is a comfortable area for waiting for a flight. And the conditions here are created not only by the airport administration. It’s not enough just to get into a comfortable zone - visitors must follow the rules of behavior in it:

• the main advantage of these recreation areas is silence; if the company accompanying the visitor becomes noisy, the administration has the right to remove them from the lounge;
• Passengers with small children may be asked to leave the VIP lounge if they cause discomfort to others;
• the availability of free alcohol may affect the inadequacy of some visitors - they will also have to leave the business lounge early;
• the very name of the lounge determines the dress code in appearance - women in swimsuits, men in shorts and beach slippers have the right not to be allowed into the business lounge;

• Fans of “nicotine sticks” should check whether there is a smoking area before relaxing in the lounge.

Important! Each violation of the rules has its own moral or material consequences. If a Priority card holder who violates the conditions suffers damage, then neither the administration of the business lounge nor the airport operating company will be held responsible for this.

Review of business lounges at major Russian airports

A number of Russian airports participate in the Priority Pass program and provide services to passengers under various conditions. The table below provides a brief overview of the lounges of some Russian hubs, indicating a number of restrictions.

Brief overview of business lounges at a number of Russian airports

Airport name	Lounge location	Opening hours, hours of stay and number of guests	To whom is it available?	Terms and restrictions
Pulkovo-1	Sector V on the 3rd level	Around the clock 3 hours stay no more than 2 invitees	For passengers from domestic and charter flights	The card can be used for 1 child under 2 years old Smokers are not allowed in the lounge
Domodedovo	On the 2nd floor in the departure area	All day long 6 hours visit the number of guests is unlimited		Children under 2 years old - no charge Children under 12 years old – 50% discount There is a games room Transfer delivery to a remote ramp
Vnukovo	In Terminal B, on the 3rd floor in the departure area	Around the clock the number of visitors is unlimited	For passengers on international flights	Preschoolers (under 6 years old) can enter for free There is a games room in the hall There is a duty free area next to the lounge There is a special corner for smokers
Sheremetyevo	On the 2nd tier of Terminal C, gate No. 11 (at the Irish Bar)	Around the clock visiting time – 3 hours	For passengers on international flights	Children under 2 years old are admitted free of charge There is a separate area for smokers
	On the balcony in the left wing of the 3rd floor of Terminal F, at gate No. 3	Around the clock passengers are allowed to visit the lounge 2 hours before departure		Hall with maximum amenities There is a smoking area
	On the 3rd tier of Terminal E, at gate No. 37 (next to passport control)	Around the clock Duration of visit – 3 hours		Children under 12 years old are admitted free of charge There is a play area and a room for the mother of the child There are special rooms for smokers

Business lounges are an opportunity to brighten up the hours while waiting for a plane with maximum comfort, which you should not refuse.

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Cozy chairs, free food, alcoholic drinks and even champagne. You can get all this for free, even if you only fly a couple of times a year. So how can you get free lounge access?

Gift from a friend

You most likely have a friend who flies very often (yes, such people exist). Whether he does this for work or just a fan of aviation does not matter. Another thing is important - if he reaches the highest status in the loyalty program, then with some airlines he receives a card of a lower level as a bonus. It is not so cool, but still, most often it gives access to business lounges (for example, Platinum at Aeroflot-Bonus gives a Gold level card as a gift, members of the Gold level of the British Airways Executive Club loyalty program can receive two level cards if certain conditions are met Silver and Gold level card). Of course, many people sell such cards (I’ve seen prices ranging from 20,000 to 45,000 rubles, although the big question is whether it’s legal), but what kind of friends are they if they can’t give you such an accepted and sweet little thing, say, for your birthday ?

Ask for it

Another banal method that works. Yes, many frequent flyers travel alone, but they can use their card to trick a guest. Why not take advantage of this? No, this is not a call to stand in front of the business lounge with a “Please let me in” sign (although this method probably works), but a recommendation to look for someone who can let you into the lounge at the right time. Read the specialized thread on the Vinsky forum or FlyTalk by TravelRadar. Yes, sometimes you have to arrive at the airport a little earlier, but is the opportunity to get into the business lounge for free worth it?

Business lounge at Nizhny Novgorod airport.

Bank card

Okay, you have no friends and communication is not your thing? Then everything is simple - some banks also give cards (or Lounge Key) in addition to their bank cards, which allow you to visit business lounges. But this is not always free, plus you have to pay for the bank cards themselves. But there is one interesting banking product that is not only free, but also allows you to visit business lounges.

I'm talking about VTB Bank and the Privilege package. There's a lot there, but here's what you need to know: there is a "Travel" option - after spending 55,000 per month on a bank card, you will not only get the opportunity to visit business lounges up to eight times in the next month for free, but also the card will be serviced for you for free. Sounds cool? Undoubtedly! What are the pitfalls? It is one, but significant: from April 1, the free threshold will be increased to 100,000 rubles, and the number of free visits will be reduced to two per month. But even despite this, the card can be beneficial. Although, I am sure that among the readers there will be few who are willing to spend at least 100,000 rubles every month using a bank card.

UPG 22/03: An alternative solution may be the Otkritie Bank Universal Card. In the Premium tariff plan, it can also be free, provided that you receive at least 200,000 rubles per month into your account and spend more than 50,000 rubles. Having fulfilled this condition, you will receive not only free plastic from the bank, but also a Priority Pass with unlimited access for owners and guests for the next month. As you can see, this offer can be even more profitable if you have the opportunity to transfer at least 200,000 rubles to your card account every month (or keep at least 600,000 rubles in all bank accounts).

Business lounge at Ufa airport.

Flex tariff

You've probably read about a case in Asia when one passenger bought a first class ticket, came to the lounge, ate and drank there, after which he changed the date of the ticket and repeated this simple trick for a long time. Then he was caught and that's a completely different story. However, the point is that practically no one (except the carrier, conscience and common sense) is stopping you from using the same method of getting into the hall.

How does it all work? In business class (in first class too, but less frequently) there are fares that can be returned without penalty even after the plane has departed and you have not arrived at the boarding point (this is called No Show). You can buy such a ticket, use it to get into the business lounge, and then fly on another flight or get back to the city (some European airports have this option), and then get the full price of the ticket back. Ideally, if you buy such a ticket with a credit card, then you don’t even lose anything, managing to return the funds before the end of the grace period.

S7 Airlines business lounge at Domodedovo airport.

Of course, if you don’t spend 55,000 or 100,000 rubles with a bank card, then this method of “freezing” tens of thousands of rubles on a credit card will seem like something out of the realm of the impossible and unthinkable, and even smacks of fraud. But these are the rules, and if you use them, then no one bothers you to enjoy the hospitality of the next lounge completely free of charge. Although, remember that that guy from Asia was punished? Here. Therefore, know that this method exists, but do not use it!

As you can see, these are very simple (in my opinion) ways to get into the business lounge for free. In some cases, they don't require much effort and can come in handy, especially if you only fly a few times a year. Use it!