Lounge at Bilbao ("new" station)
Mar 30, 2015, 4:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
Lounge at Bilbao ("new" station)
Hi everyone!
So yesterday evening I flew on the BA 468, the second service from BIO-LHR since BA restarted the route yesterday morning after a hiatus of a few years (no idea when it was dropped last time, 2005?).
Despite having booked the flight in November, as of yesterday, no contract had been signed with the (only) lounge. All other airlines at the airport have a contract. The staff at check in didn't mention the (lack of) lounge until we asked. No food/drink vouchers were offered either (like in SZG/INN). They also didn't mention the delay
To compound matters, the BIO lounge doesn't accept any 3rd party card (we had Priority Pass, Airport Angel & Lounge Club on us). The only option was to pay E26.50 cash. The lounge didn't look like it was worth that sort of money, but it would have been nice to sit in there and get a few drinks.
The lounge is run by the Spanish Airport operator AENA, with whom BA contract lounge service to in many other Spanish Airports.
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Ae...e-airport.html
As a result of the delay, we ended up waiting in an airside cafe for nearly 3 hours, and BIO doesn't have an awful lot to reccommend for itself (although you can buy a litre of Tanqueray Gin for £11). There was only 30 mins free airport wifi.
Boarding was a single boarding call, with fastest boarded first. No priority boarding here.
Is it worth complaining to BA about the lack of lounge? We spent nearly E30 on drinks and snacks whilst waiting.
So yesterday evening I flew on the BA 468, the second service from BIO-LHR since BA restarted the route yesterday morning after a hiatus of a few years (no idea when it was dropped last time, 2005?).
Despite having booked the flight in November, as of yesterday, no contract had been signed with the (only) lounge. All other airlines at the airport have a contract. The staff at check in didn't mention the (lack of) lounge until we asked. No food/drink vouchers were offered either (like in SZG/INN). They also didn't mention the delay
To compound matters, the BIO lounge doesn't accept any 3rd party card (we had Priority Pass, Airport Angel & Lounge Club on us). The only option was to pay E26.50 cash. The lounge didn't look like it was worth that sort of money, but it would have been nice to sit in there and get a few drinks.
The lounge is run by the Spanish Airport operator AENA, with whom BA contract lounge service to in many other Spanish Airports.
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Ae...e-airport.html
As a result of the delay, we ended up waiting in an airside cafe for nearly 3 hours, and BIO doesn't have an awful lot to reccommend for itself (although you can buy a litre of Tanqueray Gin for £11). There was only 30 mins free airport wifi.
Boarding was a single boarding call, with fastest boarded first. No priority boarding here.
Is it worth complaining to BA about the lack of lounge? We spent nearly E30 on drinks and snacks whilst waiting.
Mar 30, 2015, 4:50 am
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Well, on one hand it may help inform BA that there is some demand for a lounge there, but on the other there are many European outstations where BA don't offer a lounge facility or compensation for the lack thereof.
So I can't see that BA are obliged to offer lounges everywhere.
So I can't see that BA are obliged to offer lounges everywhere.
Mar 30, 2015, 5:10 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,441
Not sure there are many destinations that lack a lounge? There are a few - largely driven by lack of any available facility (BGO, SZG, some random islands) but as a rule if there is a facility you would expect BA to contract for it. As seems to be the rule now BA don't seem hugely worried about the passenger experience. No doubt the saving on lounge fees will help someone achieve their Cost KPI...
Mar 30, 2015, 5:37 am
#4
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Mar 30, 2015, 5:38 am
#5
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Mar 30, 2015, 5:54 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
Thanks WOTAS, Swanhunter & Calchas. I actually just had a look at the OneWorld wesbite, and it seems that quite a few Spanish Airports have an AENA lounge listed there, but BA isn't listed as a user, but IB/AB/AY are. I hadn't realised BA were being so mean
The impression I got from the check in staff was that they hadn't signed a lounge countract yet. Whether they actually will ever do it, is another matter.
You'd have throught that if BA didn't want to include a lounge, they'd make it clear where and when they're happy to pay for it. Hardly fair to CE pax to not pay for a lounge, although (nearly) understandable that they don't want to pay for Gold and Silver in Y.
I think I'll send CS an email later.
The impression I got from the check in staff was that they hadn't signed a lounge countract yet. Whether they actually will ever do it, is another matter.
You'd have throught that if BA didn't want to include a lounge, they'd make it clear where and when they're happy to pay for it. Hardly fair to CE pax to not pay for a lounge, although (nearly) understandable that they don't want to pay for Gold and Silver in Y.
I think I'll send CS an email later.
Mar 30, 2015, 5:59 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold, *A Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 654
The best part was that they were advertising upgrades on the check in desk...
I wonder if the two who were actually sat in Club missed the lounge too much?
I'm considering sending an email too, but will wait until my Avios are posted - it was advertised in MMB that I'll only get 500odd return which isn't correct at all. If I do actually get that amount, that will also be mentioned.
I wonder if the two who were actually sat in Club missed the lounge too much?
I'm considering sending an email too, but will wait until my Avios are posted - it was advertised in MMB that I'll only get 500odd return which isn't correct at all. If I do actually get that amount, that will also be mentioned.
Mar 30, 2015, 6:00 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
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Posts: 6,338
Going slightly off track...did you travel in CE or ET shefgab?
I'm asking because I'd be interested to know how many Avios posted for that route in economy (BA calculator showing 288, which must be wrong).
I'm asking because I'd be interested to know how many Avios posted for that route in economy (BA calculator showing 288, which must be wrong).
Mar 30, 2015, 6:14 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
LHR-BIO is 576 miles
Mar 30, 2015, 6:26 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Mar 30, 2015, 6:56 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ TPPS, BA Silver
Posts: 333
Quick! Send in your email!! 
Mar 30, 2015, 7:11 am
#14
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I have been to this lounge albeit not for a while, when flying IB J. It was OK but nothing special as I recall. BIO is a nice little airport in any event it's not like it is LGW or LHR