The C-Lounge at Berlin Tegel Airport used to be called the Weltbürger Lounge. This was the main lounge at the airport for Air Berlin shorthaul/European flights until they filed for bankruptcy. Fortunately the lounge did not close after the airline ceased operations, instead it was made into a third-party lounge and was renamed ‘C-Lounge’. Very little has changed since the Air Berlin days in terms of interior, facilities, food and drinks.
Where is it?
The C-Lounge is located in Terminal C. The lounge is located airside in the Schengen transit hall for gates C60-C73. If starting the journey at Tegel airport this means it is better using the security control to the right after entering the departure hall. It is also possible to reach the lounge if departing from gates C38-C57 by using the transfer bridge.
The lounge is located close to the passport control to non-Schengen gates C80-C85 and can easily be used when departing from these gates.
Access is not possible if departing from an A, B or D gate.
How do I get in?
Terminal C is the main terminal for Easyjet, a low-cost carrier which does not provide lounge access for their passengers. However there are a few full-service airlines using terminal C such as Icelandair, Luxair and S7 Airlines, who have contracted the lounge for their premium passengers and top-tier frequent flyers.
It is also possible to pay for access and enter using various lounge cards and credit cards such as Priority Pass.
What’s it like?
Tegel airport is not known for being one of the better airports in Europe. The airport should have been closed many years ago and replaced by the new Brandenburg airport, but we all know that story by now.
However while most lounges at Tegel airport are nothing to write home about (or Tegel airport as such) the C-Lounge is a breath of fresh air. The facilities are surprisingly decent, spread out on three different floors with a nice outdoor terrace on the top floor.
The C-Lounge is actually located in a reasonably new building, constructed as an adjacent building next to the existing terminal C. The ground floor has the reception desk, the self-service buffet and the dining area.
The first floor has a cafe area and also some seating areas with sofas and comfortable armchairs.
The second floor has the smoking area and the highlight of the lounge, the outdoor terrace.
The interior is quite modern and the design and furniture are mostly in white, grey and wood. There is an excellent apron view from all three floors through the large panorama windows.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are available from the buffet on the ground floor. The food selection consists of bread rolls, cold cuts, salads, soup, some cookies, pastries and yoghurt. The selection used to be slightly better when the lounge was operated by Air Berlin as the Weltbürger Lounge.
The drinks selection is more limited with wine and beer, soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea. No spirits are offered.
There is also a small cafe area on the first floor with a coffee machine and soft drinks.
Facilities
Free wireless internet is available throughout the lounge and there are some newspapers at the reception. There are also a few TVs. Restrooms are located outside the lounge.
Anything else not to miss?
Many people choose to stay on the ground floor, just after the reception where the buffet area and dining area are located, but if the weather is nice and not too cold and if you have enough time, do make your way to the outdoor terrace on the second floor, which is a great facility.
From the terrace you can see parts of the two active runways but mostly the apron and the taxiway in front of terminal C, which is not only used for airlines using terminal C but sometimes also for aircrafts taxiing from terminal A, B and D when aircrafts depart from one of the eastern runways towards the west.
Final impression
Possibly the best lounge at Berlin Tegel airport. Nice interior, a reasonable selection of food, friendly staff and a great outdoor terrace with a very nice view of the apron.
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