jonu

So is the Star Alliance lounge pre- or post-security? I have seen both mentioned. If it is pre-security, is it full, mass security or something more akin to the "secondary" security that I used to see in some airports for US flights? (And if it pre-security, why? Seems like a poor location, no matter how good the lounge is.)

seanp7

From multiple websites and comments above: "Terminal 1 at CDG, after passport control but before security on level 10."

hirohito888

Because there's not enough space? T1 has separate security at each satellite. While some carriers have their own lounges in each satellite such as LH, *A probably decided to open lounge in the main terminal to accommodate all the non-Schengen flights at each satellite. Even QR has their lounge before security I think.

sapguy

Thanks to hirohito888 for showing me this thread!

I for one am VERY GLAD that United has returned to T1 as my experience at T2 in 2022 was dreadful (for all 3 trips). This is despite the weird configuration of T1 in which security is at the gates and T1 is older than the other terminals at CDG.

How are things? I see that most of the new 2023 discussions are about lounge access which is of course important.

But were there any enhancements made with Tax Free refund (using PABLO), rental car return, check-in lines, duty free shopping, etc. ?

zeus2120

I flew into and out of CDG last week. For me, I absolutely hated the experience. Heading back to the US my bags were checked 3 hours before the flight. I walked on the plane with 5 minutes of boarding to spare. Total mess at the boarding pass check, the passport control line, and finally security. When I arrived into CDG, the passport control line was so backed up and so unorganized that our entire plane was stuck on a moving walkway with absolutely no where to go -- just piling into the people waiting for passport control. Not sure if it's always like that but that was my experience.

sapguy

Welcome to France

It CAN be like that but it is not always like that! I am hoping that things will improve with time, but who knows!

ARR72

What time of the day was your flight?

nexus7556

Well I wrote a very nice, extensive review of T1 but FlyerTalk lost it on United Wifi. Not going to rewrite it so here are the highlights

• takes 30 minutes from Marriott to t1, shuttle only stops at T2
• checkin area is still horrible, impossible to find anything with the multi level cylinder layout
• Star Alliance lounge is fine, good wine, bad food, horrible wifi
• 10 minute walk from lounge to security, 5 minutes to get through security
• T1 is beautiful, great art deco design, plentiful space, comfortable leather and velvet chairs
• SSSS screening is before boarding in a nice private area near the gate and available 2H before all flights
• best boarding experience in UA system. Dedicated GS, 1K and family lanes. This should be the standard

zeus2120

UA 914 -- 11:40am. It was a Thursday.

VWang1111

Connecting to a United flight in CDG from an Ethiopian flight from Addis. Ethiopian landed in T2, cleared security immediately after getting off the plane in T2, walked to a bus gate to take a bus to T1 which took about 20 minutes including the time waiting on the bus for it to leave and time on the road between T2 and T1, dropped off after security in T1 so not easy to use the star alliance lounge pre-security.

T1 is truly beautiful though, the entire gate area felt like a massive lounge space, velvet sofas everywhere.

The dedicated GS, 1K lines helped to bring down some of the chaos but the lines aren't long enough for the number of 1Ks on the flight so if you're not lining up as part of the first 10 people it then became a jumbled mess with some group 1 lining up with the 1Ks since it's hard to find match the line with the tiny signs especially when the line extends past the line entrance.

CaliguyNYC

So I was in T1 over President’s day. Other than the weird 1960’s Jetson’s layout, it was fine. Took me 15 min tops to go from entering terminal to gate. Most annoying thing was arriving by taxi - the T1 curb arrival is so tiny that it was way backed up (T2 curb situation is much better IMHO). That said, I was in business class so used the #1 security and passport (or whatever it is called). Question - I was not in business would I have been able to use the premium security and passport as Star Gold? AF/DL give you access as sky priority but unclear is UA does. In T2 AF area they just check your BP visually for premium lanes but in T1 you have to scan you BP to get through gate.

Repooc17

It's called fast track, and yes, accessible via premium ticket type or status.

BZRORG

Later next month I am flying BEY-CDG-IAD outbound on MEA connecting to UA. I have 5 hours between flights and most likely am not going to want to sit in the terminal. If MEA arrives at 2E, and the lounge is outside of security in T1, what is the best way of getting to T1? Do I take Bus/Train and make the transfer, leave the secured side of the airport at T1(if allowed), and come back through immigration? Or would i be better off leaving the secured side at 2(E), taking the CDGVAL to T1 and going through immigration?

FoxFlyer

How does this work for connections? I am arriving on UA 990 (SFO-CDG) connecting to an Aegean flight to Athens.

Do I exit security after going through customs on arrivals? Or is there a way for an easier transfer?

(not opposed to extra steps - just curious)

FoxFlyer

Duplicate post by mistake 🤦🏼‍♂️