DCA-John

It's been a while since I've been to NBO.

I remember the last time I was able to weasel my way into the Kenya Airways Lounge with my NWA platinum card. It was OK - a couple of non-functioning computers, free booze and some decent looking snacks. Not as nice as the business class lounge for Kenya Airways, but better than hanging out in the main lounge

Are there any other skyteam accessible lounges?

I thought I heard something about a dedicated KLM lounge in NBO - does anyone else know anything about this?

Anders Ingelstam

There is a quite nice KLM/Kenya Airways lounge, but I don't know if they allow SkyTeam members there.
There is also a 'pay-lounge' in front of gate 5, I think. For 20 US$ you get away from the crowd, but that is just about it - lousy place when it comes to comfort and service. (some free booze however )

Big A

DCA-John

Thanks Anders

Is the KLM/KQ lounge the one upstairs, near the british airways one?

I seem to remember there being an outer area with tea that looked like a bus station, and then another area inside for KQ and KLM elites that was not too bad.

I somehow managed to get into the inner lounge with my NW plat card

There is also a KQ simba lounge downstairs for business class. I managed to get a day pass there when KQ screwed up my flight to KGL

I seem to remember there being some sort of KLM specific lounge right by where you get your visa, but it's been a while. Maybe that's another airline's lounge?

DCA-John

for anybody interested:

- no one at KQ still has any idea whether KQ is actually in Skyteam or not

- there is a joint KLM / KQ lounge that is OK. Skyteam should be able to get in if flying to AMS on KLM. otherwise, no dice (I was flying to KGL and they wouldn't let me in)

NOLAnwGOLD

KQ is not Skyteam officially yet....still working on Asso status, when it will finalize, only the Sky Gods know....the rate that new members enter it should be another decade or so....

emoney1978

Not exactly what the OP asked, but...

I flew to JNB last year, through NBO. Biz class on KQ. The simba lounge in NBO (biz class) was horrid. Small, crowded. Two computers, only one of which worked, veeeeeery slow internet connection (common in Africa). A few drinks, barely edible food (I am not that picky--all they had were a few pastries with evidently no sodium).

The guy in the chair next to me was snoring more loudly than anybody I've ever heard in my entire life, and I am not joking. It was truly incredible. This lasted for a few hours. Not that this is KQ's fault

Granted, most of my other lounge experience is in NA & western europe, so I may have unrealistic expectations--I kind of feel like a schmuck complaining about a biz class lounge in such a poor country. FWIW, there is also a biz class lounge in JNB for a bunch of airlines, including KQ. It was pretty nice, but then JNB has a large wealthy population.

Be forewarned--I thought my 5+ hour layover in NBO would be a breeze because of the lounge. I was wrong.

Club_IC

I understand from Airfrance, that I should receive miles from Kenya Airways. Has anyone experienced any problems in this regard? Booking ticket on Monday - thanks.

psyflyer

they will post, i had mine post to NW and it took a couple of weeks.

As far as the Simba lounge its horrific at beast. NBO has another lounge simply called VIP which is MUCH nicer and at part with JNB skyteam lounges. However its an airport run lounge and not sure what you need to do to get in. We were escorted by the airport official wearing a yellow traffic control jacket which also wisked us through without clearing immigration or just walking by when the guy just gave him a salute of some sort... quite strange. It is at the farthest end to the right, just ahead of the smoking area and stuck in between two souvenir type shops, check it out.

NOLAnwGOLD

Kenya Airways' frequent flier program is Flying Blue, so you can earn miles in FB (as well as NW Worldperks) flying on KQ.

From klm.com
Flying Blue members can earn Miles on all Kenya Airways-operated flights with a KQ and/or KL prefix

It is also possible to earn or spend FB Miles on the following routes, provided there is a KQ flight number in the ticket:

Nairobi - Lilongwe v.v. (if operated by Air Malawi)
Nairobi - Blantyre v.v. (if operated by Air Malawi)
Lilongwe - Blantyre v.v. (if operated by Air Malawi)
Nairobi - Dar es Salaam v.v. (if operated by Air Tanzania or Precision Air)
Nairobi - Zanzibar v.v. (if operated by Precision Air)

¹ There is a minimum of 500 Award and Level Miles on most tickets for domestic flights. On most tickets for international flights, we offer you a minimum of 750 Award and Level Miles. Award tickets, Air Miles tickets and other similar tickets are not eligible for Miles. Tickets in some classes may earn fewer or no Miles. For more information, please consult the relevant pages of the Flying Blue airline partners.
² Miles earned on Kenya Airways will count for the validation of your level. You will receive Miles to use to purchase award tickets.

Note if you credit to NW, you don't earn elite qualification miles only award miles

Anders Ingelstam

The Flying Blue lounge is the one upstairs, near BAs and it is situated close to the Visa/Migration. You turn right just just berfore reaching the Visa-counters.

Anders

bostonbali

Do any of the lounges at NBO (KQ Simba Lounge or Airport-run VIP lounges) have a shower? We'll be arriving on an overnight flight from AMS, flying KQ Business, and will certainly need a shower...

Thanks to my Priority Pass, it looks like I'll have access to the 'First Class Lounge, Airside - in front of Boarding Gate 5' that apparently has a shower. Does anybody have experience with that lounge?

Since we're flying KQ Premier World, we'll also have access to the Simba lounge.

DCA-John

I think that the Simba lounge (paid biz on KQ or KLM) has a shower

as far as I know, none of the others do. at the far end of the terminal, there is a place that has day rooms that I think have a shower. I have not been.

I don't think the lounge you mentioned has showers...

bostonbali

Are you sure that the Simba lounge is only for PAID Biz class? I will be flying on an award Biz ticket, won't be happy if I'm turned away from their lounge because I PAID for my ticket with additional miles, not additional dollars! Hopefully they don't mistreat premium customers this way...

DCA-John

Not really sure. I managed to get in there after they bumped us on an (economy) flight to KGL and we had to wait around for 4 hours. If it was that big a deal, you could call the Nairobi call center and ask, but they would probably let you into the simba lounge

This is what their website says:

"Access to the lounge is exclusive to Business Class passengers traveling with Kenya Airways and its partner airlines : KLM, Rwanda Air, Air Zimbabwe, Air Malawi, Pakistani Airlines, LAM Mozambique Airlines, Precision Air and Sudan Airways."