Where is it?
There are no less than three different lounges at Leeds Bradford airport, all located in the same area of the terminal building with a shared reception area. The lounges are located airside after security control, in the transit hall used for both domestic and international departures.
The entrance to the lounges is close to gate 4 and 5, in a corner after passing through the shopping area and the food court.
After registering at the reception you turn left and pass through a corridor. The entrance to the 1432 Runway Club is at the end of the corridor, through the doors to the right before entering the White Rose Suite Lounge.
How do I get in?
All the three lounges at the airport have different access rules and fees.
The 1432 Runway Club Lounge is the most expensive lounge to enter. All passengers can buy access to the lounge and it is usually cheaper to do so in advance than at the reception on the day of departure. Also some days of the week they limit the number of walk-in guests due to space constraints. However if you prebook the visit and get a booking confirmation for a specific time you are guaranteed a seat/seats at that time.
The two other lounges can be accessed using for example Priority Pass and Lounge Dragon or by invitation from an airline such as KLM or British Airways if you are a premium passenger. If space permits it is usually possible to pay the price difference to enter the 1432 Runway Club instead, which may only cost a few pounds extra if you have complimentary access anyway. Of course this is subject to availability but you can always ask at the reception.
What’s it like?
As mentioned there are three lounges at Leeds Bradford – The Yorkshire Lounge, The White Rose Suite Lounge and The 1432 Runway Club Lounge.
The 1432 Runway Club is the premium lounge for passengers who want the best departure experience. The food and drinks selection is better, the service is better, the interior is somewhat nicer and there are usually fewer guests.
Upon arrival I was greeted by the attendant working in the lounge. Since the lounge is located along the corridor to the White Rose Suite Lounge anyone could technically enter the 1432 Runway Club Lounge so they need to keep an eye on who enters the lounge and tick passengers off a booking list. In case you purchase access to the lounge you will be escorted from the reception.
The lounge is not particularly large and consists of different seating areas with either sofas or armchairs.
There is also a dining area with seats and tables.
The lounge has a very bright design with light pastel colours such as white, grey and different shades of yellow. There are large panorama windows which provide a good view of the apron and the runway but also plenty of natural light.
Food and drinks
There is a self-service buffet area with cold snacks such as pies, vegetables, cold cuts, pasta salad, sandwiches, cheese and crackers and some desserts and pastries.
The food and snacks selection is not very different from the other two lounges, the differences are minor.
However in contrast to both other lounges in the 1432 Runway Club you can order some more dishes, which are prepared while you wait. There is no printed menu but the options are presented to you by the lounge attendant who will also take your order. Do not expect any gourmet dining, but you can order for example paninis with different fillings or jacket potatoes. This means that this is the only lounge where you can get something hot to eat.
There is also a fairly decent self-service bar and this is the only lounge at the airport where you can help yourself to an alcoholic drink. In the other two lounges you need to order any alcoholic drinks at the manned bar.
The drinks selection is vastly better than in the other lounges with some premium drinks, including better wines, sparkling wine (prosecco), a wider selection of beer and cider and a better selection of spirits. They offer for example the local Slingby gin, produced in Harrogate, just 30 mins by car from the airport. There is also a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks, sodas and juices.
Facilities
Newspapers and magazines are available and there is free wireless internet.
A toilet is located in the corridor between the lounge and the reception desk. More restrooms are located outside the lounges in the transit hall, next to the food court.
Final impression
This is the premium lounge at the airport and both the service, the design and the food and drinks selection are vastly better than for example the much more basic Yorkshire Lounge. Drinks for self service and hot food available to order. However, although this is an excellent third-party lounge for passengers who want the best departure experience at Leeds Bradford airport this is not a first class lounge in any way.
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