CX mumbai lounge
 

Has anyone been to CX mumbai lounge Clipper Lounge. How is the lounge and its facilities ? Who can use it and what services are offered there ?

The clipper lounge isn't strictly CX. It's a 3rd party lounge shared by a bunch of carriers. It's facilities are pretty basic: drinks, food, magazines, places to sit. I don't think there's internet or shower facilities. But then again, I haven't been there in about 2 years. BA had a lounge in BOM that closed 2 years ago for renovations or something. If that one is open and you're at least MPC Gold you could probably use that instead.

There is absolutely no reason to go to the airport early in Mumbai. The lounge is dire, and is only good because you don't have to wait with the masses.

Having said that, the renovated parts of the airport are now bearable. There is a KFC and Pizza Hut near the CX departure gare.

But my advice is, online checkin and get to the airport as late as possible.

ditto - rubbish lounge

While you do not want to spend any unnecessary time in the airport or lounge, you do not want to miss your flight too. There are a few checkpoints you have to go through before you can get to the gate. I could not remember how many stamps I got on my boarding pass, passport and hand carry. They do take their time to examine the details on documents too!

In this regard, India is neck to neck with the US.:D

I was staying at the Grand Hyatt near the airport, and they advised if flying in J class, that I could leave the hotel 90 minutes before the scheduled departure, since there wouldn't be much traffic at the time the CX flight leaves (ie 3.50am)

I've always hated those middle of the night departures. But then, I heard someone say a new airport is being built somewhere in Mumbai (in navi mumbai? not sure of the spelling). If and when that comes up maybe they can turn to more civilized departure/arrival hours.

That sounds about right. Though you have to go though several lines ( front door, bagage screening, check in, imigration, security, and finalllly boarding), it's all quick in my experince (unlike DEL). Door to door you should be able to make it to you seat in 30 minutes max.

Don't foget a copy of your intenary. You will need this to get into the airport. Also, don't budget a lot of time for the lounge. They are all dumps at BOM.

I dont think that ever opened up....I beleive BA share the same lounge with the other carriers....and that lounge is horrible.....Dont bether getting there early, no internet, no computers, just a chair and some nice chicken.

Probably the worst lounge (even though its not cx lounge but the lounge as a CX PAX) I have been too...

Having said that, and reading all the posts about getting to the airport early, i spent almost 1 hours in immigration and security....so do keep that in mind that even though u want to get to the airport late, if the immg/security is packed....u gotta a long wait ahead....

Isn't this what you encounter when you fly out of any civilized airport in North America and you will spend more time than 30 mins ;)

If you are in J/F class, then there is a separate immigration queue which is short. That is why my hotel asked me if I was in J class. I think they would have advised me to get there earlier if I was in Y.

I was in J Class on my trip from mumbai last month (CXDM as well). It was my first time in the new terminal so didnt know all the routes, but i could have sworn i didnt see a J line for Immigration.

Also, keep in mind in order to get to the check in counter, u have to do a security check....when u enter the airport the helpful staff tell u go to the front of the security check, but once your there, the baggage people dont know anything about that and u end up trying to explain to the pax (who dont care and are very open about it) that your a J pax just shrug you off.....

Ah well, a true experience in Mumbai airport !

The J class immigration queue is there...well it was last week. You need to look at the signs on the roof. It looked like it was roped off, I just jumped through the retractable barrier. The desks are on the left hand side of immigration, next to the Crew counters.

thanks for the heads up sxc. I will look for it when i am there next month......

any solution to the long security check before check in counter ? I dont enjoy getting shruged and snubbed when I have to push in the security line to get to the check in counter...or did u face a similar experience....

Do you mean the security line for x-raying bags? I wasn't told there was a J class priority, and this was after seeing the ladies who were supervising the check in desks. I was just told to join the queue for x-raying bags.

Although the queue looks long, I was processed within 5 minutes I think...definitely less than 10 minutes.

The other off putting thing is when you walk over to the immigration area from the CX checkin, invariably there is a huge "queue" for the Air India checkin. It looks like it is a queue for immigration, but it isn't. So just find your way around this long rowdy crowd and you will find that the immigration area is clear.