All Star Alliance passengers flying through Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport can now pay to use the alliance's premium lounge at the airport from this month. The lounge becomes the fifth Star Alliance lounge worldwide to extend this privilege to all of its alliance passengers, regardless of their booked class of travel.

Lounge access opens up

Last week, Star Alliance announced that it would be extending access to its airside lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) beyond the usual Gold status and premium cabin travelers. The airline group, the largest of all the major airline alliances worldwide, now offers paid access to all passengers traveling on a Star Alliance partner airline flight departing the airport.

While access to the lounge remains complimentary to all Star Alliance Gold members, as well as those traveling in both first and business class on member airlines, the lounge now allows access to all Star passengers for an entrance fee of EUR50 (US$53). Currently, 14 members of Star Alliance operate services from Schiphol Airport, connecting the city to 20 destinations across 16 countries.

This latest move follows four other Star Alliance-branded lounges (separate from airline lounges) worldwide that have already opened up access to all Star passengers. The Schiphol facility follows those located at Rome (FCO), Rio De Janeiro (GIG), Buenos Aires Ezeira International Airport (EZE), and Los Angeles International (LAX) airports. The remaining lounge, yet to offer paid access, is located at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG).

The lounge is located airside in Departures Hall 2, on the upper level next to gate area D. The lounge is open according to the Schengen flight schedule of Star Alliance airlines. Passengers can access the lounge after passing through security for Schengen region flights.

Read all the latest European aviation news with Simple Flying

The lounge's finer details

According to a Star Alliance's statement, the lounge is described as offering "a sleek and contemporary space inspired by Holland's ever-changing skies and landscape." The lounge features original Dutch furniture and artworks, which combine to bring a degree of regional flair to the surroundings for passengers using the lounge.

The facility, which can accommodate up to 150 passengers, offers free WiFi, with separate spaces for business and leisure travelers. These include individual personal work booths, a communal worktable, a bar, dining, and lounge areas.

The serviced bar offers guests a wide range of drinks and refreshments in the afternoons and evenings, while the kitchen and buffet provide a range of hot and cold meal options with a local twist.

Speaking at the announcement of this latest development in Star Alliance lounge strategy, Christan Draeger, Vice-President of Customer Experience for Star Alliance, said,

"We are pleased to announce that our Amsterdam lounge has become the latest Star Alliance-branded lounge to offer pay-per-use entry. With this, all passengers passing through Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on Star Alliance carriers now have the option to relax in our stylish, weel-appointed lounge, regardless of cabin class or membership status."

Mr Draeger went on to add,

"The lounge is especially convenient for passengers travelling within the Schengen zone who want to kick back and enjoy a meal or get some work done comfortably before they boad their flight."

Online lounge access booking is available

All Star Alliance passengers can pre-book and purchase lounge access vouchers on Star Alliance's website. Subject to availability at the time of booking, the passenger should receive a confirmation email with an accompanying QR code which is valid for the day and time selected during the booking process.

Once at the airport, the passenger scans the QR code at the lounge entrance and walks in. Vouchers are priced from EUR50 (US$53) for three hours of lounge use. Passengers will also receive a further discount on this price if they are a member of any Star Alliance member carrier's frequent flyer program.

Star Aliiance's global presence

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first global airline alliance. The Star Alliance network offers over 10,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 184 countries.

Since its inception, Star has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network of all the major alliance groups. Its stated focus is to "improve customer experience across the Alliance journey."

The current member airlines are Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

An important Star hub

Although Amsterdam may not appear in the top five airports in terms of the number of Star Alliance operators, given its convenient location in central mainland Europe, the airport is clearly seen as an important hub for the airline group.

While other airlines operating at Schiphol provide their own lounges (KLM, British Airways), this development now allows all Star Alliance passengers a quiet space to relax before boarding their flight.

Other third-party lounges are also provided at the airport, which offer paid-for access, including the Privium and Aspire lounges located within the terminal building.

Would you pay €50 to access one of Star Alliance's five lounges? Let us know in the comments!

• 

  Star Alliance

  Business Type:

  Airline Alliance

  Date Founded:

  1997-05-14

  CEO:

  Jeffrey Goh

  Headquarters Location:

  Frankfurt, Germany

  Airlines:

  Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines