Star Alliance opens new Amsterdam business class lounge

Star Alliance passengers jetting out from Amsterdam can now relax in an all-new business class lounge which opens its doors today.

Located in Schiphol Airport's Departures Area 2, the lounge – which is the eighth Star Alliance-branded lounge worldwide – is geared towards member airlines' flights to European destinations in the Schengen Zone.

And unlike the former Star Alliance Amsterdam lounge, the new space also manages to bring in some natural light and views over the airfield.

Working with Amsterdam-based architectural design firm D-Dock, the lounge sports a warm, elegant and contemporary vibe with subtle cues to its location.

"We’re trying to give a sense of Amsterdam, a vibrant and attractive city, and a sense of Holland,” Christian Draeger, Vice President for Customer Experience at Star Alliance, tells Australian Business Traveller.

At Schiphol, this means furniture and decorative pieces of Dutch origin add a local touch to the familiar Star Alliance lounge palette.

"With some restructuring of the airport, we had the opportunity to get a space which was really dedicated to being a lounge, with high ceilings and big windows, and a view onto the tarmac where customers have a sense of being at the airport,” Draeger adds.

The canny design includes plenty of AC and USB power outlets, even where you might least expect them – such as under the armrests of this banquette seating nook.

You might find some power outlets masquerading as armrests…

On the food and beverage front there's a serviced bar during afternoon hours, beer on tap, plus a buffet with hot and cold meal options.

Business travellers on the clock are well catered for, with fast and free WiFi plus individual work booths for a little extra privacy.

Business services such as printing and scanning are available upon request.

If work can wait, the wine bar and relaxation areas are perfect for anyone who needs to cool their heels for a while.

The Star Alliance Amsterdam lounge opens its doors to passengers in first or business class on Star Alliance members airlines, along with those holding Star Alliance Gold status and travellers with paid membership to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Club or the United Club programs.

The lounge primarily serves eligible customers departing on flights operated by Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss, and TAP Air Portugal.

Eligible travellers on other Star Alliance flights should note that the lounge is located in the airport's Schengen departures area, before passport control.

Brandon Loo

Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.