Black Adder

Have you tried the lounge search page here:

http://www.oneworld.com/ow/ffp/lounge-access/search

Looks like AA doesn't have an AC there but there are 3 Oneworld lounges.

Non-NonRev

Before LX was purchased by LH, AA had a one-on-one codeshare deal with LX that included access to some LX lounges for certain AA pax. There was even conjecture that LX might join oneWorld, but of course that never happened.

Since LX became part of the * Alliance, AFAIK, those past lounge procedures went away.

The thread linked below offers some information from 2008 (I haven't been through ZRH in about 3 years, and I was on an LX J ticket, so my experience wouldn't be pertinent):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ge-access.html

ORDPLATAA

Thanks Non-Non Rev. That was the most informative of the posts I had seen. The OW lounges appear to be contract ones - so I guess I will see when I get there.

JayMatt19

I am AA platinum and I flew through Zurich in April. The terminal (Terminal E) is spit into 2, and one needs to clear security to go from one part of the terminal to the other, The AA flight departs from in a different section then the main lounge and the family section. Meaning that if one wants to go they in essence need to go through security twice.

This was annoying enough. What was even more annoying was getting told that the lounge with the contract with AA is in a different terminal all together, requiring an airtrain trip of 10-15min along with security at that terminal.

AA has only ONE flight from Zurich, why would they put their lounge in a different terminal?!?

benzguy80

this moves ZRH down a few notches on my list of places AA flies to that I intend to try out, even for a weekender

last Monday spent a few hours in IB's biz class club at MAD. what a nice place! really added to the experience.

cmkest

im not sure if this helps but they told me i would not have lounge access with my amex platinum as its not officially an admirals club

scubadu

That is completely correct. Amex platinum only works for official AC clubs. If you are at a station that utilizes "contracted" lounge service then you need to access using elite status (i.e. PLT/EXP) and of course be on an international itinerary, as defined by AA.

Regards

sukn

Unless something has changed recently, AA has contracted the LH lounge in Zürich. It is airside, past passport control. It is a hefty walk since you will be using check-in 1 in the A terminal and the lounge is located all the way at the end of terminal B, near gates B22-29.

When leaving the lounge for your AA flight, another hefty walk awaits you to the train that will take you to terminal E. You will then go through security and walk some more to AA's gate.

I no longer bother with the AA lounge when departing from Zürich. The lounge itself is nice with views of the runways, but nothing special, and for me, certainly not worth the walking detours at that time of the morning.

If you must use the lounge, allow an extra 20-30 minutes in your schedule just for walking to/from the lounge.

Here is a map of the airport.

http://www.zurich-airport.com/Portal...in_1_gross.jpg

Non-NonRev

Seems like the lounge in question is formally called the SWISS Non-Schengen Lounge:

https://www.lufthansa.com/online/por...ails&p=LH&s=CH


(Note: The detailed link may expire. If so, select "Star Gold" and "Zurich" to see the lounge details).


Because this is obviously not a oneWorld-operated facility, my guess is that AA Plats ane ExPlats traveling in Y have no access (corrections welcomed).

sukn

Actually, not so.

http://www.americanairlines.ch/aa/in...ch_airport.jsp

Non-NonRev

^ Thank you (a pleasure to be corrected)

One further question, concerning the notation about access for arriving J passengers: Does this refer to the lounge at B22-B29, or to the Allegra Arrivals Lounge?

Happy

On top of that, the lounge is shared by ALL Members of the Star Alliance, + AA. It was very crowded the morning we used it, and the offerings were very lacking - a bowl of lunchbox size apples, some pre-packaged crackers/muffins and chips, on a rather small counter where the coffee / tea facilities also located.

On the contrary, IB's lounges in MAD are very nice - we went to 2 different ones, both are spacious and lots more food items. One is decorated pettier than the other but I forgot which one is.

ORDPLATAA

Just returned from ZRH yesterday. The lounge used by AA is the Dnata Skyview Lounge. It is located just pass the boarding pass checkpoint in Terminal/Area 2. Once you clear BP check, turn left and go up one level. The lounge is next to the Skyteam Lounge. The Dnata Skyview Lounge is a shared lounge with everyone from Qatar to Malev (with Continental, British Airways and Iberia thrown in to boot!). Lounge Dragon is insistent on seeing your VALID frequent flyer card for admitance. As I had just regained AA PLT status from GLD, I did not have my new card - but I did have my card from 2 years ago and the name and number matched what was printed on my BP - and my BP said I was a PLT so she grudgingly agreed.

Lounge was pretty standard - a little institutional in appearance but a good number of seats. Self serve bar with a decent selection along with pre-packaged snacks (cookies, pretzels, nuts). Again, nothing fancy but free. As a friend also told me - Better than a sharp poke in the eye!

It does take about 20 minutes to get to the "E" gates from the lounge - once you go past all the shops, down two levels to passport control, on the train over to "E" then up to the pax screening area.

Oceanrider

It has been a while, but we found the Bellevue Lounge conveniently located and quiet. I am unsure whether they will stll allow AA elites in.

vitacura

Great info here! Before reading this thread I did not know that a PLAT member traveling in international economy (in any oneworld airline) could enter any One World Lounge with one guest!