Bristol Lounges
Mar 16, 22, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum
Posts: 241
Bristol Lounges
Both Aspire lounges at Bristol airport were closed when I flew out a fortnight ago. No mention of this during checkin, had hoped for a sandwich and drink coupon for my trouble. Online information suggested at least one of them should have been open so it may have been an exceptional closure. Heads up in case any of you are planning to travel through!
Mar 16, 22, 6:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Programs: BA Gold. Flying Blue Gold. Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Plat AMB, Radisson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 219
The Aspire Plus (that KLM passengers used to be sent to) has been closed ever since Covid first struck. No apparent signs of it reopening. It is quite a small space.
The main Aspire lounge has been reopened but has kept some odd hours - early mornings only and then only on certain days. It should now be back open every day, but still only 05:00 - 12:00.
I'm not sure what's going on at BRS because Aspire lounges in many other UK airports I've been through are back to normal. It's only at my usual starting point of BRS that they seem to be very slow in getting the lounge back up and running. Fingers crossed that they'll get back to normal opening hours for the summer season.
The main Aspire lounge has been reopened but has kept some odd hours - early mornings only and then only on certain days. It should now be back open every day, but still only 05:00 - 12:00.
I'm not sure what's going on at BRS because Aspire lounges in many other UK airports I've been through are back to normal. It's only at my usual starting point of BRS that they seem to be very slow in getting the lounge back up and running. Fingers crossed that they'll get back to normal opening hours for the summer season.
Jun 23, 23, 7:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Exeter, UK
Programs: BA Gold. Flying Blue Gold. Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Plat AMB, Radisson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 219
Disappointed that there is no longer any lounge provision for KLM passengers at BRS since MAG took over the contracts from Swissport (rebranding the Aspire Lounge as an Escape Lounge and reopening the old Apsire Plus Lounge as a 1903 Lounge). 1903 Lounge currently accepts Priority Pass (we'll see how long that lasts), but were quite open with me that KLM status and business class passengers are not currently being admitted because KLM is dragging its heels on negotiating contracts with the new providers.
Complained to KLM Customer Care and got the usual brush off:
I will probably book fewer KLM flights out of BRS until this is sorted out.
Complained to KLM Customer Care and got the usual brush off:
We empathize with your current state of dissatisfaction with what you experienced after being denied entry at the Bristol Airport lounge. I understand this must have been an uncomfortable experience because having access to a lounge could have given you a chance to recharge, relax, and reconnect for your next flight.
Please be informed that lounge benefits depend on the departure, transfer, and arrival airports. Unfortunately, to date, lounge access is still not available for our Elite customers and Skyteam members at Bristol Airport. I understand that I cannot reverse your experience on this journey. Nevertheless, we sincerely appreciate you for continuously choosing our services and taking the time and effort to send us your feedback. I have forwarded this to our relevant department in charge of this incident. I guarantee you that your voice on this matter will reach the responsible management to help us improve our agreement and services.
Please be informed that lounge benefits depend on the departure, transfer, and arrival airports. Unfortunately, to date, lounge access is still not available for our Elite customers and Skyteam members at Bristol Airport. I understand that I cannot reverse your experience on this journey. Nevertheless, we sincerely appreciate you for continuously choosing our services and taking the time and effort to send us your feedback. I have forwarded this to our relevant department in charge of this incident. I guarantee you that your voice on this matter will reach the responsible management to help us improve our agreement and services.
Jun 24, 23, 4:39 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 340
Agreed, this is very poor show and hopefully gets resolved without too much delay. Being based in Bristol I am a quite heavy user of KLM out of BRS. If only LH would get a night stopper service started then I would have a decent alternative without trekking over to London... (but actually I don't know if the 1903 lounge has a contract in place with LH?)
Jul 21, 23, 11:34 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 340
I sent in a complaint after a recent trip and received this wonderfully nonsensical reply:
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Lounge
Based on our records, there was no prior request for lounge access in your itinerary. Please be advised that a lounge must be requested in the lounge area, and Lounge access is only available at the airport.
We trust to have informed you sufficiently. We look forward to serving you under better circumstances.
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I don't even know how to begin to parse this. "Lounge access is only available at the airport". Well I wasn't exactly expecting a lounge on the A1 bus...
---------
Lounge
Based on our records, there was no prior request for lounge access in your itinerary. Please be advised that a lounge must be requested in the lounge area, and Lounge access is only available at the airport.
We trust to have informed you sufficiently. We look forward to serving you under better circumstances.
------
I don't even know how to begin to parse this. "Lounge access is only available at the airport". Well I wasn't exactly expecting a lounge on the A1 bus...
Jul 21, 23, 3:40 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,218
I got a voucher for a whole 7.50 at BRS (which they had to fetch from Aviation House). Tried to use it for a pint at the only place with decent beer - which told me it was only good for food or soft drinks. There was no mention of this by agents or on the voucher, so might have been bullsh*t.
Don't get your hopes up, is my point.
Don't get your hopes up, is my point.
Sep 3, 23, 5:06 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 3
The 1903 lounge has also appeared on the SkyTeam lounge finder. Hoping we won't have to wait until 1st November, I'm travelling from BRS three times between then and now.
Sep 3, 23, 9:13 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Behind the curtain
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor
Posts: 340
There's a fair chance the agent misspoke and meant 1st September. His first statement was to say that it was already available, before correcting. I would certainly encourage anyone departing BRS to check. Not sure when my next departure will be.
Sep 3, 23, 9:23 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 3
I'm departing 11/9, and I'll update the thread (unless someone else can before). I'm sure KLM are extremely bored of my almost weekly complaints, and I'm equally bored of their boilerplate answers - although the 5000 miles each time has been more than welcome.
