Geneva BA Lounge access?
Apr 2, 2018, 12:50 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
I’m sure someone else will confirm shortly but based on my experiences with the staff there, early check in and lounge access will not be possible. The lounge isn’t one that I would want to spend much time in anyway.
Apr 2, 2018, 12:53 am
#3
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They tend to look to a 2 or 3 hour time window at GVA, however the key determinant is the number of status / CE passengers expected that particular day so if you are there on a quiet day (e.g. an August Saturday) then they would probably be OK with a longer visit.
If you had that much spare time, given that the centre of Geneva is only minutes away on an efficient train link, it may be more enjoyable to head into town.
If you had that much spare time, given that the centre of Geneva is only minutes away on an efficient train link, it may be more enjoyable to head into town.
Apr 2, 2018, 1:13 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Several hours stuck in an airport lounge (any lounge) ; or several hours spent in one of Europe’s most attractive lake-side cities, including a trip or two on the Mouettes. Hmm ...... tough call 
Apr 2, 2018, 1:48 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Geneva/Sydney
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Posts: 926
The lounge is open all day from 0600ish for the early LHR (there also used to be an early LCY), so that isn't a problem. But 6 hours would be crazy in any lounge in Europe. Wander round the old town or take a mouette as suggested above. If you want to use the lounge get there for about 1615 since they call flights early in GVA.
PS Couldn't you take BA727 at 1155?
PS Couldn't you take BA727 at 1155?
Apr 2, 2018, 2:12 am
#7
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Apr 2, 2018, 2:12 am
#8
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That is not a lounge where I'd want to spend more than an hour. There is no view, the food is very average, and the toilets are public. In your case I would head into town for a lunch and a stroll along the lake.
Apr 2, 2018, 2:15 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 65
The lounge is open all day from 0600ish for the early LHR (there also used to be an early LCY), so that isn't a problem. But 6 hours would be crazy in any lounge in Europe. Wander round the old town or take a mouette as suggested above. If you want to use the lounge get there for about 1615 since they call flights early in GVA.
PS Couldn't you take BA727 at 1155?
PS Couldn't you take BA727 at 1155?
Apr 2, 2018, 2:25 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
Unlikely, they are really annoying in GVA, in true French fashion (although I'm not sure if the Swiss culture is any better in terms of flexibility). I'd love to see you succeed, then that means I can insist more thoroughly next time I try.
I don't mind the GVA lounge as it has comfy chairs, although some may disagree. (And the toilets are indeed "public" but it's basically just shared between the lounges) Don't expect to put together a proper lunch together, though. However, priority pass gives you access to other decent lounges. I haven't tried any of them yet but I hear people generally like the Swiss lounge.
The train station has lockers, but they are not free (8 francs per bag for 24 hours). You can also pay 20 francs per bag or so in Switzerland to get your bags shipped to the airport for you from any other main city's train station.
If you want a nice place to sit down and get a drink, for about the price of a Starbucks at the airport (8 francs, I still am not over this), you can go to the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva, and have tea (they're great!) or coffee (haven't tried) from their second floor lounge / bar with a stunning view on the lake. For eats... well, I only knew things that were appropriate for broke students so I can't help much.
I don't mind the GVA lounge as it has comfy chairs, although some may disagree. (And the toilets are indeed "public" but it's basically just shared between the lounges) Don't expect to put together a proper lunch together, though. However, priority pass gives you access to other decent lounges. I haven't tried any of them yet but I hear people generally like the Swiss lounge.
The train station has lockers, but they are not free (8 francs per bag for 24 hours). You can also pay 20 francs per bag or so in Switzerland to get your bags shipped to the airport for you from any other main city's train station.
If you want a nice place to sit down and get a drink, for about the price of a Starbucks at the airport (8 francs, I still am not over this), you can go to the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva, and have tea (they're great!) or coffee (haven't tried) from their second floor lounge / bar with a stunning view on the lake. For eats... well, I only knew things that were appropriate for broke students so I can't help much.
Last edited by thebigben; Apr 2, 2018 at 2:32 am
Apr 2, 2018, 2:30 am
#11
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Apr 2, 2018, 2:40 am
#12
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Apr 2, 2018, 2:56 am
#13
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What would I do in your situation?
I like the Chinese restaurant on quai de Mont Blanc. I think it's called Hung Wan. Nothing fancy. Then I'd walk around to the Jet d'Eau, or north to the Park Perle de Lac. Then stroll back and have a few drinks at the President Wilson bar. Then taxi to airport.
I like the Chinese restaurant on quai de Mont Blanc. I think it's called Hung Wan. Nothing fancy. Then I'd walk around to the Jet d'Eau, or north to the Park Perle de Lac. Then stroll back and have a few drinks at the President Wilson bar. Then taxi to airport.
Apr 2, 2018, 5:24 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
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You should always be prepared for life to be a bit difficult at GVA if you arrive more than 3 hours before your flight - be that checking in, dropping bags or entering the lounge, whatever class of travel or version of shiny card. You may be luckier if things are quiet and you're travelling HBO with a mobile BP, but rules are very much rules there in my experience.
Apr 2, 2018, 6:22 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 65
Thanks, for all the information.
Doesn't look like my options are very good at all. Much as I'd like to spend a few hours in the city, unless I can find somewhere to park my ski bag that's not going to happen.
Guess I'll just have to wait it out landside for a while.
Doesn't look like my options are very good at all. Much as I'd like to spend a few hours in the city, unless I can find somewhere to park my ski bag that's not going to happen.
Guess I'll just have to wait it out landside for a while.