SAL Lounge
May 23, 2014 | 3:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,784
SAL Lounge
Ok, so I think I've established that Avianca/TACA has a (Sala) VIP Lounge at SAL, it wouldn't make any sense not to.
However, nowhere can I seem to find any pics, or confirmation.
Also, on the TACA page, it doesn't really indicate it's for *G customers, the star alliance page didn't help either, it says there is one, but doesn't say who it's for.
Situation, I'm flying on the cheapest fare with Avianca MIA-SAL-MDE and with 2:30 hours I'd like to explore a bit then chill in the lounge. I'm *G through Aeroplan and use it in PTY/IAH etc etc, but I just wanna make sure SAL will offer that as well, I can't see why they wouldn't, but the lack of confirmation has me doubting it.
However, nowhere can I seem to find any pics, or confirmation.
Also, on the TACA page, it doesn't really indicate it's for *G customers, the star alliance page didn't help either, it says there is one, but doesn't say who it's for.
Situation, I'm flying on the cheapest fare with Avianca MIA-SAL-MDE and with 2:30 hours I'd like to explore a bit then chill in the lounge. I'm *G through Aeroplan and use it in PTY/IAH etc etc, but I just wanna make sure SAL will offer that as well, I can't see why they wouldn't, but the lack of confirmation has me doubting it.
May 24, 2014 | 2:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Portland, Oregon (PDX)
Programs: UA 2MM/*A Gold, Alaska MVP Gold, WN A-List, Hertz Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 276
Don't bother!!!
The SAL Lounge exists...barely. It is the most pathetic *A lounge I've ever been to complete with flies and an odd odor.
There is no food to speak of save for a cup of nuts you can get from the "bartender" who only has like four beverages to choose from. No liquor available for some reason.
No showers and bathroom is despicable. It had an awful stench and was poorly maintained.
The WiFi is non-existent - as in no WiFi and there's only one small TV playing some Novelas in the corner above bar.
My recommendation: skip this disaster. Hang out in terminal and head to the bar. It's cleaner and more enjoyable.
There is no food to speak of save for a cup of nuts you can get from the "bartender" who only has like four beverages to choose from. No liquor available for some reason.
No showers and bathroom is despicable. It had an awful stench and was poorly maintained.
The WiFi is non-existent - as in no WiFi and there's only one small TV playing some Novelas in the corner above bar.
My recommendation: skip this disaster. Hang out in terminal and head to the bar. It's cleaner and more enjoyable.
May 24, 2014 | 5:11 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,784
I can't wait! I'm 100% gonna at least check it out to see if it's this awful 
if nothing else it'll make for some funny pics. I'm curious as to the last time you went through? AV lounges are usually pretty classy from the ones I've been to in Colombia, once they bought up TACA I figured they'd refurbish the hubs of SJO/LIM/SAL and sort of remodel/rebrand them in their company image.
if nothing else it'll make for some funny pics. I'm curious as to the last time you went through? AV lounges are usually pretty classy from the ones I've been to in Colombia, once they bought up TACA I figured they'd refurbish the hubs of SJO/LIM/SAL and sort of remodel/rebrand them in their company image.
May 25, 2014 | 11:39 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Portland, Oregon (PDX)
Programs: UA 2MM/*A Gold, Alaska MVP Gold, WN A-List, Hertz Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 276
We were there in October 2013 while transiting to BZE. It was a painful 5hr layover. I have some good photos of that dump myself...
May 25, 2014 | 12:22 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,784
Aug 27, 2014 | 9:33 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,784
This place must've been upgraded since you were there BankermanUSA...I arrived around 1830 and went straight into the lounge, wifi was totally fine, lots of finger food selection (arguably better than bogota, def better than Medellin), self serve booze including canned beer (which probably angers some but doesn't bother me), lots of space though it was very crowded.
There was probably 4-5 TVs, but I wasn't really watching.
Its run down, but then the whole airport is, beyond that I found it to be quite acceptable.
There was probably 4-5 TVs, but I wasn't really watching.
Its run down, but then the whole airport is, beyond that I found it to be quite acceptable.
Feb 10, 2015 | 11:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 80
I visited the SAL Lounge in 2012. It felt a bit like travelling back in time because the decor looked dated, but it was more comfortable than the crowded gates during holiday season. This is the only picture I took:
The lounge closed for remodelling last year, and reopened this January 22. I caught a glympse of the lounge last week, and it looks much modern and colorful now. I wasn flying in Y so I couldn't go inside, but I got this picture from an Avianca's press release:
*Picture credit: Avianca Press release
https://www.facebook.com/notes/avian...52530184591822
The lounge closed for remodelling last year, and reopened this January 22. I caught a glympse of the lounge last week, and it looks much modern and colorful now. I wasn flying in Y so I couldn't go inside, but I got this picture from an Avianca's press release:
*Picture credit: Avianca Press release
https://www.facebook.com/notes/avian...52530184591822