Originally Posted by
atflyer
I beg to disagree here. I've been a number of times in the PVG CE lounge in evenings and usually it is really crowded. Internet is slow. Food is ok, but basic. Drinks ditto. Not really better as KL NS.
Are you 100% sure you didn't just use the Business Class lounge? That one is nasty & packed. The First Class lounge is wonderful though (imnsho)
As for the KL NS lounge, I tend to agree that they sold it hyperbolic and that the (paid) concept of Blue that uses a lot of space, plus the expensive nap places, is a blunder. Also in expectation management and PR terms. Period. In that sense I understand the negative comments of many here. But then, let us look at the free part of the lounge. Can we try to rank it compared to others? The TK lounge in Istanbul and MAS lounge in KUL clearly are superior - roomy, wide choice of meals, prepared on the spot, good drinks. There are probably a few more like this (never was in e.g. a JAL, Cathay or Singapore Airlines home lounge). But are the AF international lounges in 2E at CDG so much better (I talk about the regular ones that you can enter with FB Gold of course, not the Premiere which is and should be a class of its own)?
2E-L is perfect, with a sauna and Clarins spa salon. Besides, all offerings are free (including shrimps & champagne). So yes, better by at least a mile.
The 2F Schengen lounges are in any case worse (very crowded, no meals, cheese and turkey with some bread and that is it).
Yes, the 2F lounges are crowded. Please be aware that these are the domestic lounges, not the Non-Schengen ones. Food is on par with the KLM lounges (so not very savory either), but at least we can get our drinks from a can, instead of a postmix machine. Plus, they still have champagne. However, Air France is working on a new 2F lounge that will replace both lounges. Best part about the 2F lounge is going downstairs, you can see all the airplanes getting hooked up to the gates, plus it is usually a bit less crowded there.
The China Southern lounges in Peking capital (apparently there is now a Skyteam lounge, had no opportunity to see that one) and Guangzhou? Worse, less food choice, wine is hit and miss. China Airlines in Taipeh? Maybe equal, there they make you noodle soup and dumplings but the rest is average. Skyteam lounges in say BKK, and some other places? Not really better. Aeroflot lounges at SVO? A joke in terms of food and atmosphere.
No experience there, so will be taking your word for it. Are these lounges brand new, or at least 5 years old?
Alitalia lounges in Rome, Malpensa, Linate?
Hard disagree. At least these lounges have a proper barrista. Besides, the REAL Alitalia lounge (the non-schengen one) has it's own kitchen where they make a fresh pizza for you. Can't beat that. And it would be only fair to compare apples to apples, so compare the non-Schengen flagship lounge with a non-Schengen flagship lounge.
Tja. Garuda in the new terminal III in Jakarta? Ok, but given the limited food and drink choice, and the placement far from outside windows I would not rank it superior to the KL NS one. And so on. I'd say the KL NS does not match the best like MAS or TK, but many home lounges of international carriers are equal or worse.
Sure, however they positioned as a lounge that could easily compete with the TK and ME3 top-lounges. It can't hold a candle to them, neither can it to United Polaris, Air Canada Signature Suites, American Flagship, etc. It could be, if ALL the offerings were available when entering. So no paid restaurant, no paid nap rooms, no paid bar, just all included (at least for J-pax).
For now, it is a nicely designed lounge, where half of it is inaccessible due to it being paid.