Where is it?
There are two Austrian Airlines Senator Lounges at Vienna Schwechat airport, both located in the Skylink Terminal used by Austrian Airlines and most Star Alliance carriers operating at the airport. Both lounges are located on level 2, one lounge in the Schengen area and one lounge in the non-Schengen area.
The Schengen lounge is located right above the central taxfree area after the security control (when starting the trip in Vienna). After the security control, make a left turn and use the lift or the escalator to level 2 and then turn right and follow the corridor. If in transit at the airport, follow the signs for the central taxfree area and then follow the signs marked Lounges.
When entering the lobby area the Senator Lounge is to the left, the Business Lounge to the right, and behind the reception desk is the HON Circle Lounge for Miles & More HON Circle Members and passengers connecting to a first class flight in Frankfurt, Munich or Zürich.
How do I get in?
If you fly the same day with Lufthansa or a Star Alliance carrier and have a Miles & More Senator Card or a Star Alliance Gold Card you will get in. For Senator members access is also granted if you travel on some Lufthansa partner airlines.
What’s it like?
The lounge opened in 2012 when the new Skylink terminal opened and has roughly the same design as the old lounges in the old terminal. The lounge is divided into several different sections with a restaurant area, a lounge area with lounge chairs in front of a TV and a business centre. However the lounge is surprisingly small for being at the hub of a large European carrier with a large number of Schengen destinations.
Different purple colours are used for most of the furniture and with white and black colours used for most other design details. There is a decent apron view from the inner part of the lounge with an unobstructed view of the northern apron at the Skylink terminal and parts of the eastern runway.
In the lounge area comfortable lounge chairs with foot stools are available in front of a TV.
Food and drinks
The self-service buffet area is on the left when entering the lounge. The catering is provided by excellent Do&Co, the same catering company providing the food in Austrian Airlines business class.
Cold cuts, vegetables, fruits, snacks and dessert are available most of the day while at lunch and dinner time there is usually also something hot to eat. In the morning breakfast dishes are served. Although the food is normally of good quality the selection is in fact quite limited.
The drinks selection includes red, white and sparkling wine (usually wines of Austrian origin) for self service, a large selection of spirits, beer, juices, other soft drinks, coffee and tea.
Facilities
There is a business centre inside the lounge with desktop internet computers. Free Wi-Fi is available in the entire terminal and obviously also in the lounge.
Showers and restrooms are located opposite the reception desk just outside the lounge.
Anything else not to miss?
A cool feature is the large illuminated photo of a mountain covered in snow on the immediate right when entering the lounge, most likely taken somewhere in the Alps.
Final impression
Comfortable lounge chairs, a decent apron view, a good drinks selection and catering by well-renowned Do&Co, although the food selection could be better. However the lounge is still somewhat uninspiring and the design rather boring. And it is surprisingly small for such a large hub.
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