Originally Posted by
kishkash
Hi, everyone!
Tried to search these forums but nothing seems to clearly indicate which, if any, lounge that Polaris customers can use in Madrid-Barajas. Anyone with recent experience able to shed some light on this? I tried the Lounge Finder on the Star Alliance website and, while I do see some in T1, when I use "United" as my airline for filtering, no results are returned.
Any information would be appreciated before my flight on September 30.
Cheers!
As noted the lounge is an independent lounge Sala Cibeles but it’s good if a bit cavernous. Flow will pull you to the left as you enter the main lounge hall but if you keep going straight, and the weather is good, you will sit outside on a terrace which is wonderful before a long flight. Food is not bad and booze is par for the course. It can be very crowded.
Three tips:
1. United check in is an abomination. There will be lines even for Polaris so take that into account. Bizarre practices: security stickers for bags and passport but they appear to be instructed to place the stickers precisely where the bag opens and the handle, literally searching around for the handle. Then at check in desk frequently confronted with request to match bags with Traveller even as a family.l even after informing that it doesn’t matter. Super bizarre.
2. check in desk will tell you that you can walk 90 seconds to the right as you face the desk and go thru regular security screening or “walk ten minutes” to the left for fast track. Go fast track! It is only 90 seconds to the left and ultra fast. Regular screening is a nightmare.
3. the lounge is a good ten minutes from the A gates where United departs. Keep that in mind.