Passing through Berlin's Tegel Airport in May 2019, I had a brief opportunity to visit the AirportClub lounge - the airport's only contract lounge. Spoiler alert: There isn't very much in this lounge...

Arrival

The AirportClub lounge isn't too difficult to find - but at the same time it isn't easy. Located landside before Security Checks and Passport Control, the lounge is probably closest to Gate A15. Tegel - at least for Terminal A - is unique in that security checks happen specifically only when it's close to flying time and contained to one or two gates. I've since figured out that KLM flights to Amsterdam are always at Gate A11 while Air France flights to Paris are at A10.

As Tegel's Terminal A is hexagonal 'ring', the lounge is located on the "inside" of the ring, on the second floor (or 1st Floor for Europeans). Head up using the elevator or stairs and you'll find the lounge located at the end of the hall on the right hand side.

Reception is quick and easy, at least for Priority Pass holders, with a simple scan of your card (or digital card in my case). Of the few visits I've had here I think some staff have asked for a flight number. On this last visit to the lounge no questions were asked about flight details. I had just arrived from Amsterdam and was using it as an arrivals lounge.

The seating is simple and straightforward with very little selection. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

Upon entry, you'll notice just how small this lounge is. My guess is that there are about 40 to 50 seats for guests. Nevertheless, the seating, as you can see in the photos, is quite comfortable. Against the wall there are a few workstation-type seats with electrical outlets at every desk space.

Food and beverage

This is one of the most disappointing lounges for food and beverages. As you can see in the first food photo below, guests are constrained to some small dishes of refrigerated food. On this particular day it was something in between a sausage and a meatball as well as some small finger sandwiches. Further down the line you'll see a basket of apples and then a sweet lemon loaf at another table. And that's really all there was for food!

The not-so-diverse food selection. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying
There was very little in terms of food. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying
The standard tea and coffee station. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

For beverages, the situation was a little more standard. The coffee machine is similar to what you might find in most lounges and the tea selection was also quite inline with other lounges. Soft drinks, some in glass bottles, from the fridge along with some juices and beers.

A standard selection of beverages. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

Conclusion

So, essentially that's it for the Tegel AirportClub lounge. What more can I say? The WiFi worked and staff were nice, but I definitely wouldn't pay to enter this lounge unless I absolutely wanted a soft couch to sink in to for a few hours.

Until that magical day when Berlin's Brandenburg Airport opens, we are stuck with this.