Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - KQ Simba Lounge (NBO)

Does anyone know what is required to access the Kenya Airways Simba lounge in Nairobi? I will be flying NBO-JNB in first class on KQ, also Skyteam Elite+. Will I be able to access the lounge?

KQ does not have First class only business.

A business ticket will get you into the lounge. A Gold or Platinum ST card when travelling in economy will not but will get you into and even more basic lounge upstairs..

The lounge is pretty basic to say the least: do not have high expectations!

Sorry, I meant business. Is the lounge really that bad? I thought it was relatively new... are there other lounges in NBO that are more desirable? KLM mentions on their website only "Kenya Airways – KLM Lounge Simbala Lounge (C-class only)", and Northwest makes no mention of any partner lounges in Nairobi (only the AF lounge in JNB).

What is the difference between the Business Class lounge and the "upstairs" lounge for Elite Plus pax in Y? I will be coming in around 5am on the JNB-NBO flight before connecting to an AMS flight. Do they have shower facilities at all? free wifi?

Do they have shower facilities at all? free wifi?

There are showers in the Simba lounge and very slow wifi (when it works). Never been to the Elite+ lounge upstairs.

The upstairs lounge also has slow, free wifi. It also appears there is a lounge for Y pax connecting on KQ where they get a breakfast voucher although it looked more like a cafeteria or DMV waiting room! But, the "Premier Lounge" upstairs is just as shabby albeit with leather seating. The Simba Lounge looks quite nice, the small buffet in the center offers basic snacks and drinks are well-stocked in the fridge. I think there were two Internet stations in addition to the wifi. It is just such a small lounge for NBO as their hub and it is quite far from the gates compared to the Diners Club lounge which is across from some of the gates.

Why arent Y pax allowed into the KQ Simba Lounge at NBO? It only seems fair that SkyTeam Elite Plus pax get access to the lounge since KQ Elite Plus pax get access to other partner lounges. Is it still the case that partner airline Elite Plus pax in Y are directed upstairs to that despicable holding room?

Why arent Y pax allowed into the KQ Simba Lounge at NBO?I suspect it is a capacity issue.

Is it still the case that partner airline Elite Plus pax in Y are directed upstairs to that despicable holding roomThe holding room, which is for all non-elite economy class transfer pax, is next door to the Elite lounge.

Johan

From what I remember, all the lounges have basic sandwiches, wine, and beer...although the thought of that awful Premiere lounge upstairs for Elite Plus pax would drive someone to drink after sitting there for a few hours!

Oh and the constant run-down announcement where they list the dozen flights departing within the next hour literally every 10 minutes is the most annoying thing!

The Simba Lounge is for J class passengers only. It has seating capacity for maximum 40 pax including bar stools. In the mornings it is packed as there are so many departures. I always go to the Java coffee house, and pay for a decent coffee.

Above simba is the "old" lounge which was for both J class, and Elite members. This is now for Elite Members only.

Next to it, is the holding area for Y passengers who are entitled to meal vouchers, etc.

will the new terminal offer news lounges (elite plus and premier world passenger)?

Slightly different question - I am flying LHR - NBO - JNB. The LHR flight gets in 45 minutes before the first JNB flight (I'm ticketed on a flight two hours after that). Will I need to pass through any sort of passport control in NBO? Do you think there is any chance of getting on that earlier flight on a standby basis? I won't have any checked bags.

What are the guest policies for the lounges in NBO for award travel in biz class, but no other SkyTeam status?

Slightly different question - I am flying LHR - NBO - JNB. The LHR flight gets in 45 minutes before the first JNB flight (I'm ticketed on a flight two hours after that). Will I need to pass through any sort of passport control in NBO?

No.

Do you think there is any chance of getting on that earlier flight on a standby basis? I won't have any checked bags.

I have no idea, but there is a transit desk right before you get to the ramp that takes you to passport control (and the lounges), so you could ask there.

What are the guest policies for the lounges in NBO for award travel in biz class, but no other SkyTeam status?

The Simba Lounge only allows J class passengers (award and paid). If you have a guest that is in Y, they will not be allowed in. The other lounge follows normal SkyTeam policies.

Could anyone confirm whether there are showers in KQ's Simba Lounge?

Tks,

Yes, there are showers...they are quite nice. Towels even have the KQ logo on them!

Thanks for the information. Any information about changing airports in Nairobi from Wilson to NBO on a Sunday afternoon? I guess it will take me about 1h, right?

Rgs,

Hmmm, didnt know there was another airport. I cant help you with that one, sorry...perhaps someone else here will know. Have a great trip! :)

There is another small airport in Nairobi called Wilson mainly for domestic flights inside Kenya.

Rgs,

My wife is platinum with KLM/AF/KQ program but can't access Simba lounge unless she is actually flying outbound with KQ. As previously mentioned the KLM lounge is grim. However, she told me there is a Priority Pass lounge which is pretty plain but has wifi and beverages located near the KQ transit desk airside. They are very protective of the Simba lounge I guess because of limited capacity.

They are very protective of the Simba lounge I guess because of limited capacity.You can say that again! It really gets very crowded at times. One very busy morning the other week a guy came in with a whole stack of passports and boarding cards in his hand. As he walked past the lounge agent he announced that he was going to make room for "my minister". I certainly had no intention of ceding my seat to any minister, let alone his entourage, but others were more willing to engage in a game of musical chairs.

Johan

Johan - All Government Ministers normally get access to the JKIA Government VIP lounges. This guy must have been a Minister of a Church - typically in J class with an entourage.;)

This guy must have been a Minister of a Church - typically in J class with an entourage.;)All the more reason not to make room - I'm an atheist.

I guess the average African church has run out of charitable projects to spend their money on, if their ministers and entourage fly in J?

Johan

There is another option - the airside hotel. Most people don't know that this exists but if you go to the far end of the international terminal towards the tunnel that leads to the domestic terminal and go down the stairs there is a smallish day room hotel with rooms by the hour that also has showers. They have single beds, double beds, and some roaches so be prepared.

Thanks for the information. Any information about changing airports in Nairobi from Wilson to NBO on a Sunday afternoon? I guess it will take me about 1h, right?

On a Sunday afternoon, it could be even less, maybe 30 to 40 minutes. Weekdays are another matter, though.

My wife is platinum with KLM/AF/KQ program but can't access Simba lounge unless she is actually flying outbound with KQ. As previously mentioned the KLM lounge is grim. However, she told me there is a Priority Pass lounge which is pretty plain but has wifi and beverages located near the KQ transit desk airside. They are very protective of the Simba lounge I guess because of limited capacity.

Yes, they are certainly very protective of the Simba lounge, but I think I would disagree with the assessment that the KLM (more correctly, KQ) lounge is grim. Yes, it can get crowded and I have been to nicer lounges, but it does provide free wifi and beverages (and some half-decent snacks), so I see no need to avoid it. It lacks a view (as do all the other lounges at JKIA) and it gets crowded, but this is also true for the Simba lounge. The only advantage of the Priority Pass lounge is that it is usually much more empty, IMHO.

There is another option - the airside hotel. Most people don't know that this exists but if you go to the far end of the international terminal towards the tunnel that leads to the domestic terminal and go down the stairs there is a smallish day room hotel with rooms by the hour that also has showers. They have single beds, double beds, and some roaches so be prepared.

So after deplaning you take a right and follow the gates as the numbers go down? You mention roaches, is it just a dump? Is it worth checking out? Does it have wifi? I have a long layover in NBO tomorrow so this might be a good option.