New Kenya Airways Lounge Open!
 

Great news for those of us who suffer through Nairobi--the permanent new KQ lounge in Terminal 1A opened last night and it's fantastic! Spacious, good food selection and quality, wifi, relaxation room, and plenty of seating. It's comparable to the London Skyteam lounge and certainly better than the Amsterdam or Paris business lounges...I can criticise KQ with the best of them but this is really a game changer--especially after the cramped conditions these past few years post-fire. And yes, they admit skyteam elite plus.

Also have a look at:

http://thedesignair.net/2014/09/12/k...ct-with-pride/

http://travelpr.co.za/kenya-airways-adds-seats-simba/

https://www.facebook.com/KenyaTouris...type=1&theater

According to the Skyteam Lounge Finder it is restricted to J pax. Can anyone confirm a recent experience with Elite+ in Y?

One of the linked articles refers to Simba and Pride lounges, and another mentions two Simba lounges. Skyteam lists only one Simba lounge with this note in the details:

There are two lounges. The Simba (smaller) Lounge that is only for J class, and the much larger Pride Lounge that admits elites. Both have the same food options, while Pride has the quite rooms, smoking room and mini business centre.

Thanks!

As I understand it, there are now 3 KQ lounges open in the international terminal at JKIA:

• A small one, near gate 5, that was opened shortly after the fire (and was originally restricted to J-class pax - I am not sure whether that still applies). I don't know if this will be closed now that all KQ flights are checking in at T1A, but I hope it would remain all the while any SkyTeam flights are using that part of the terminal.
  
  
• The new 'Simba' lounge, near the food court and security checkpoint in T1A. (Turn left as you exit the T1A security checkpoint, and take the lift on your right, next to the transfer desk; or walk along the corridor round the back of the food court). This one is convenient if you are coming from check-in, or have a flight departing from the old part of the terminal. However, it is relatively small, and hence can get crowded easily.
  
  
• The new 'Pride' lounge, located at the end of the new terminal pier, near gate 17 (turn right near the end of the pier, and take the lift). This one is very spacious, but rather than just having one large seating area, it has several smaller areas, with different types of seats and design styles. One section is designated as a 'napping area', with reclined seats. The dining area has a nice view out over the apron. I understand hot meals are served 3 times a day (not sure of the exact times) and snacks are available the rest of the time. The washrooms include showers (staff will provide towels and amenity packs on request).

All 3 lounges have free wifi, although you need to collect a code or password from the lounge staff.

I was told by the lounge staff that both the Simba and Pride lounges accept SkyTeam Elite Plus pax, as well as business class travellers. However, unless you are very pushed for time, it seems the Pride lounge is the best one to go for.

The SkyTeam lounge finder page for Nairobi does not appear to have been updated yet, as it only shows the small, old lounge near gate 5 (which was originally also called 'Simba', but I don't know if it has been renamed now the new Simba lounge has opened).

Lift (on the left) to reach new Simba lounge:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ounge-jkia.jpg

Sign for new Pride lounge:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ounge-jkia.jpg

A seating area in the Pride lounge:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ating-area.jpg

'Napping area' in the Pride lounge:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...pping-area.jpg

Dining area in the Pride lounge:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ining-area.jpg

Thanks for the update. The Simba Lounge is only for J class passengers. It is really small, with very little seating. The much bigger and nicer Pride lounge is for Platinum/Gold and J class passengers. There is much more seating here, and is overall a much more pleasant lounge.

The Lounge near gate 5 is now operated by Swissport and is called The Aspire Lounge. Anyone can pay to use it, and, and many non Skyteam airlines are using it including Swiss, Qatar and Emirates.

I have to say that KQ's Pride lounge is one of the best I have seen in Africa. Ask for champagne - they serve half bottles of Moët.

I think this may have changed - or at least, is not being strictly enforced. I specifically asked at both lounges, and was told that both are open to ST E+ pax travelling in Y. However, I had upgraded to J (and hence was entitled to both) so I couldn't actually test this myself. However, Mrs KQ321 (travelling on a separate occasion recently) was able to access the Simba lounge, as ST E+ in Y.

That said, I entirely agree that the Pride lounge is bigger and nicer, and well worth the short extra walk unless you are extremely pushed for time.

Wow this lounge looks beautiful. I spent over 12 hours in the old ST E+ lounge courtesy of KQ's famous reliability and let's just say my opinion of that lounge was quite unfavorable. Glad to see KQ stepping up its lounge game.

This is such great news, I didn't realize this had opened last year. I have a 12-hour layover in Nairobi and would rather just sleep in the lounge than pay for a hotel and visa. Is the napping area available for sleeping overnight? Are there showers in the lounge?

Is security still standard at each gate or is it centralized in 1A?

There is a great napping area with around 12 loungettes. Blankets and pillows provided (BYO ear plugs, as the snoring can get loud). There are two male and two female showers.

For 1A security is centralized, but quite a few KQ flights leave from 1B/C so there is gate security there.

The lounge is quite acceptable for a 12 hour layover. Decent food and drink choices.

Forgot to mention my layover is 8pm-8am, I'm assuming 1A lounge is open all night, too

Open 24 hrs

I was shocked at how poor the good offering was. Cereal, hard boiled eggs, beans and sausage on a massive buffet. Is it always that sparse?

That is usually breakfast, with fruit, pastries, and toast. I thought it was more then adequate for breakfast. What more would you want?

For lunch/dinner they have stews, rice, sandwiches, nuts, crisps, fruit, soup, breads and usually a desert.

Much better then any lounge (except BA in CPT & JNB) in Africa that I have seen.