Copenhagen: the right lounge for Schengen and non-Schengen

The first question is the type of flight. Those departing for a Schengen country stay before passport control and have the lounges between Piers A and B and the SAS lounge at Pier C. Those flying non-Schengen pass passport control and find the Pearl Lounge, above Pier C.On the Schengen side, with Priority Pass, you choose between two nearby lounges that differ in character. The Carlsberg Aviator Lounge opens earlier than the neighbouring Aspire, so it is the natural choice for early-morning flights. The Aspire Lounge, on the first floor opposite the La Place restaurant, focuses instead on work: it has soundproof booths for phone calls and a separate suite with à la carte service, and asks for smart casual dress. In both the stay is limited and in the middle of the day entry may be restricted when places run out: those departing at lunchtime would do well not to count on it too much. In the same area there is the Danske Bank Aviator Business Lounge, of the Danish bank, which welcomes holders of its eligible cards, those with the status of certain airlines and those who pay at the desk. It has a hot and cold buffet and a quiet room for phone calls. Those flying with SAS or SkyTeam in business, or with EuroBonus Gold and Diamond status, have the SAS Lounge at Pier C, near gate C10. It brings together in a single space the airline's old Business Lounge and Gold Lounge, with a barista and wine on tap, hot cuisine, showers and a children's area. You can also enter by paying, online or at the door, always with a stay limit. On the non-Schengen side the reference lounge is the Pearl Lounge, accessible with Priority Pass or by paying, with a FlexiPass option for those who want more flexibility. It has showers, a nursing room and a view over the runways. Here too, on summer afternoons entry may be restricted, and the lounge does not stay open until night: those departing late have to make other arrangements. For those travelling with small children there is a useful detail: at the Aspire and the Pearl the youngest enter free, while the SAS Lounge has an area dedicated to them.

To sum up, in Copenhagen you choose first the passport side and then the time. On early-morning Schengen flights the Carlsberg Aviator Lounge is the first open door for those with Priority Pass, the Aspire Lounge is better suited to those who have to work, and the SAS Lounge, with showers and hot cuisine, suits those flying SAS or SkyTeam with the right ticket or status. On non-Schengen flights the Pearl Lounge is the point of reference. In any case, in the central hours of the day it is worth arriving early.