Johannesburg: choosing the right lounge at OR Tambo
At Johannesburg's OR Tambo the first distinction is clear-cut: Terminal A serves international flights, Terminal B domestic ones. In both, Priority Pass works well, because all the independent lounges accept it along with LoungeKey and DragonPass, so the choice is made more on services than on access.
Those leaving for abroad without a premium ticket find in Terminal A a series of independent lounges, all with entry also possible for a fee. The most versatile is the Bidvest Premier Lounge, on the mezzanine above the duty free: it is open day and night, has showers, an à la carte kitchen and the bar, and also accepts some South African bank cards. The renovation works under way do not close it.
If the aim is to sleep a few hours, the lounge to look for is the Aspire Lounge, on the duty free level just before gate A7, which provides daybeds at no extra cost. For Virgin Atlantic flyers there is a detail to know: the airline's Clubhouse is closed, and Upper Class passengers and Gold members are welcomed at Menzies' Shongololo Lounge, at the bottom of the escalator going down towards the international pier.
IndependentTerminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
Aspire Lounge
Duty free level, between the gates and the international pier, just before gate A7
Free day beds to rest between flights.
Hours
10:00-22:00
Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass, or by paying at the door.
Showers
Hot food
Bar
Rest area
IndependentTerminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
Bidvest Premier Lounge
Mezzanine above the duty free area, after passport control
The ongoing renovation works do not close it; it offers à-la-carte cuisine and a bar.
Hours
Open 24 hours
Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass and some South African bank cards; paid entry is also available.
Showers
Hot food
Bar
IndependentTerminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
Mashonzha Lounge
After immigration, following the signs towards the Emirates Lounge through the duty free; near gate A6
Run by Menzies, like the Shongololo Lounge in the same terminal.
Hours
06:00-22:00
Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass and eligible American Express cards; paid entry is also available.
Hot food
Bar
IndependentTerminal A · International flightsPriority Pass
Shongololo Lounge
Departures level, at the bottom of the escalator that descends after security towards the international pier, beyond the Air France Lounge
Replaces the closed Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for that airline's passengers.
Hours
06:00-23:00
Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass, or by paying at the door. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers and Gold members are also welcome.
Showers
Hot food
Bar
IndependentTerminal B · Domestic flightsPriority Pass
Bidvest Premier Lounge
Lower floor, reached by the escalator near the kiosk
Awarded by Priority Pass as Lounge of the Year for the Middle East and Africa region.
Hours
05:00-21:00
Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass, also free for Airlink business passengers; paid entry is available.
Showers
Hot food
Bar
IndependentTerminal B · Domestic flightsPriority Pass
ORT Sky Lounge
Fourth floor, reached by lift
Also known as Bidvest Sky Lounge, it is the first lounge in the domestic terminal to open in the morning.
Hours
04:30-21:00
Access with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass, or by paying at the door.
Hot food
Bar
AirlineTerminal A · International flights
British Airways Galleries Lounge
Lobby bar, brasserie room and work stations with power outlets over 880 m², for a total of 247 seats.
Access for British Airways First and Club World passengers, Executive Club Gold and Silver members and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status holders.
Bar
AirlineTerminal A · International flights
Emirates Lounge
The airline's lounge for Emirates flights departing from Johannesburg.
Free entry for Emirates First and Business passengers and for Skywards Gold and Platinum members. Other passengers can buy entry through Emirates.
Showers
Bar
AirlineTerminal A
SAA Platinum Lounge
A lounge separate from the SAA business lounge, only for top-tier members of the Voyager programme.
Entry reserved for Voyager Platinum and Lifetime Platinum members and eligible partners.
AirlineTerminal A · International flights
SAA The Lounge (International Premium)
Above the international departures duty free area, up the escalator
After its renovation it offers a quiet zone, meeting rooms and private suites.
Hours
04:30-22:00
Access for SAA business passengers and eligible partner airlines.
Hot food
Bar
AirlineTerminal A · International flightsTemporarily closed
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Mezzanine of the international retail area, after security
Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse, currently closed.
Lounge closed. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers and Gold members are welcomed at the Menzies Shongololo Lounge.
No lounges match this filter.
The Shongololo, moreover, is not reserved for Virgin: like the other independent lounges it accepts Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass and anyone paying the entry, and it is found beyond the Air France Lounge, on the same departures level.
With a premium ticket the lounge is that of your own airline. The British Airways Galleries Lounge welcomes BA First and Club World, Executive Club Gold and Silver members and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire statuses, with a lobby bar, a brasserie room and workstations with outlets. The Emirates Lounge is free for Emirates First and Business and for Skywards Gold and Platinum members, while other passengers can buy entry through Emirates, a rare option among the airport's airline lounges.
South African Airways keeps its business lounge and that for top-tier members separate. SAA The Lounge, above the duty free of international departures, is for SAA business and eligible partner airlines and, after the renovation, offers a quiet zone, meeting rooms and private suites. The SAA Platinum Lounge is instead reserved for Voyager Platinum and Lifetime Platinum members and eligible partners.
On domestic flights from Terminal B the alternatives are independent lounges, accessible with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass or for a fee. The Bidvest Premier Lounge on the lower floor, reached by the escalator near the kiosk, welcomes Airlink business passengers free and was awarded by Priority Pass as Lounge of the Year for the Middle East and Africa. The ORT Sky Lounge, on the fourth floor and reached by lift, is the first to open in the morning: the right choice for those with a dawn flight.
At OR Tambo it pays to start from the terminal: Terminal A for abroad, Terminal B for domestic flights. With Priority Pass or a similar card the choice is wide in both, and the criterion becomes the service you really need: the Bidvest in Terminal A for those leaving again at night, the Aspire for those who want to lie down, the ORT Sky Lounge for those flying early on domestic routes. With a premium ticket your own airline's lounge is the one to use, and at the Emirates Lounge the entry can also be bought.
Johannesburg loungeOR Tambo airportPriority PassSouth Africa domestic flightsSouth African Airways