A few weeks ago all the politicians were crowing about the "wonderful" new terminal here at LYS, so I was dreading it from the start. Now I'm here for the first time, and I give it a rather mixed review.
The first impression is very poor as it is a country mile walk from public transport to this new terminal.
The second impression is also poor in that, materially, they have installed British style security in this new terminal. Fortunately the staff are still French and just as polite as before. And very notably they do not care if you have tiny sub-100ml liquids in your bag. ^ However we now have the same trays and belt as LHR. There is also a nude-o-scope for secondary screening, but I didn't see it being used this morning.
Third impression is that we are still in the UK as we walk through the bright new LHR T5 style shopping area and then dump into the main terminal. I don't feel at all like I'm in France. It's nice that it is very large and open, but that means a longer walk to the gates and lounge. Also when you first walk into this terminal there are no signs for the lounges. You have to walk around a bit before you see a sign. For Schengen there is the Salon Confluence and for non-Schengen you have the Salon Mont Blanc. At least that's the way it appears to be now. See
https://store.lyonaeroports.com/offres-salons.html
But thumbs up for this new Confluence lounge. It's much larger and brighter with big comfortable chairs. Lots of power and USB ports everywhere. In the back there's a separate room with faux wood paneling and faux deer heads on the wall next to skis and a giant screen TV. And even more comfortable chairs. This has to be the best lounge of any airport in France that's not at CDG. Same drinks selection, which was always rather good for a regional airport, plus they've added Grimbergen. ^
Walking past T1A on the way here, I see it appears to be closed. So I guess they will do some construction to make it like T1B. Maybe then the walk will be shorter for major airlines like LH, etc.
My judgement for regular LYS travelers: We've lost our simple, easy to use airport.
My judgement for tourists and Lyon tourism in general: You will be as happy and comfortable here as you are at any modern new international airport. LYS can now accommodate another million or so extra travelers.