Hi all!

I'll be flying IB at the end of August FRA-PBI. Since I've never flown them before (except one awful trans-atlantic flight a loooong time ago) I was wondering what to expect in regards to lounges.

I'm a OW Sapphire and will be traveling in Y. I'll be flying FRA-BCN and then continuing to Palma de Mallorca from there.

Are there IB lounges I can use? Or, is there another lounge nearby in the OW network that you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

I've used the BCN lounge and found it to be very average. In particular there was no internet access available (though to be fair there is none anywhere in the airport). They also have those 3C phones which if you are not careful cost a fortune to use.

IB has a good lounge in FRA T2. It is modern, was only opened 6-12 months ago, good drinks, snacks and newspapers, and is almost never crowded. Dont know whether Sapphire gets you in, but IB is never strict on anything, so I think you have a good chance.

There is an excellent F CX lounge and an average BA Loubnge, but both are in the non Schengen sectors, so you will not be able to get in unless you arrive in FRA from outside Schengen.

Terminal 2 in FRA is rather empty, has few shops or bars, and is a desert after you go through security control (Schengen section). Go only through if you want to go to the lounge.

BCN lounges are also modern, but a bit dark (no windows). If I remember correctly there are no lounges in PMI, which is starnge considering that IB is one of the biggest customers of the airport.

Zorro, your comment has me thinking...

OW Sapphire status entitles me to use Business class lounges when flying internationally, no? So in this case, flying FRA-PMI, wouldn't I be able to use the lounge, regardless of the class I'm flying.

Having only used the BA lounges when in transit through LHR, I am certainly no expert on this. Any advice is appreciated.

If memory serves me, there is no lounge to use at PBI. The BA lounge at FRA is by the BA gates at the very end of T2, and it requires passing through a second security barrier. I don't know if there are any other oneworld lounges in T2, so you may be in for a pretty long walk back to your gate. And unless you are departing at a heavy travel time which coincides with international flights served by CX, AA and other long haul oneworld carriers, it is unlikely their lounges, if they exist, would be open.

The BA one has smoking and non-smoking rooms, though when I was using it a few weeks ago, nobody was enforcing the non-smoking rules in the non-smoking room. [It is actually operated for BA, though it has all the decore and trappings of an ExecClub, just no BA agents at the reception desk.

As noted, the BCN lounge is rather bland and utilitarian. Also, when I did BCN-PBI, the gate numbering proved very confusing so once you get to the proper pier, be sure to confirm where your gate is.

Finally, rest assured, IB's European and domestic service is much, much better than its international, even in the bak cabin. The seat pitch is a couple of inches more, and the FAs actually smile instead of scowl, and come to your seat to serve you, rather than you having to go to the galley to get drinks, once the meal has been served.

[This message has been edited by Shareholder (edited 07-28-2002).]

Thanks Shareholder!

I'll have to look around FRA and take some notes while I am there.

I just wanted to follow up on this thread now that I'm back from Palma (sigh).

There is an IB lounge in FRA, Terminal 2. The IB flights leave from the first level (the BA flights are on the second level - so no chance of using their lounge)so that is where the lounge is. The lounge is alllllll the way down in no-mans-land, nearly at the end of the concourse. It is right next to an Air France lounge, right by the gates that IB uses for their flights.
The lounge was tiny, basically an oversized room, with drinks and peanuts and cookies. However, it was much more comfotable to sink into one of the lounge sofas than wait near the gate. By far the most interesting feature of the lounge was that there was NO BATHROOM! If one needs a restroom, they must leave the lounge.
The BCN lounge offered more in regards to space, comfort, snacks, and, a bathroom! We used the lounge right near baggage claim B.
As mentioned, there is no lounge in PMI.

I hope this info is helpful!