Vienna Schwechat lounges: a guide to choosing by gate

The starting point is the gate letter. Those boarding at the C and D gates have the VIENNA Lounge in Terminal 1; those departing from the F and G gates have the SKY Lounge in Terminal 3. Each is linked by a shuttle to the gates on the other side, so those who arrive at the “wrong” one are not stuck.Both are run by the airport and work in the same way: free entry for premium passengers and eligible frequent flyers, access with Priority Pass and paid entry for everyone else. They have showers, hot cuisine and a bar. There is, however, a rule to know: you enter only with the boarding pass of the day and not too long before the flight, so they are no use for filling a very long layover. The differences count in the details. The SKY Lounge has the cheapest paid entry and closes later than the VIENNA Lounge, an advantage for those departing in the evening. Above all, it is located before passport control: it can also be used by those flying to non-Schengen destinations, who after the stop pass the checks and reach the gate. The VIENNA Lounge too is before passport control, and early in the morning the airport lounges open at the same time. Those flying Austrian or Star Alliance in business, or with an eligible status, find on level 2 of the F gates the airline's lounges for Schengen flights. The Austrian Business Lounge (Schengen) welcomes business passengers, Frequent Travellers and Star Alliance Gold, and also sells entry; the Austrian Senator Lounge (Schengen) is a separate space for Senator and Star Alliance Gold members, while first class and the HON Circle have a lounge of their own. For non-Schengen flights the Austrian lounge is the Austrian Senator & Business Lounge (Non-Schengen), right after passport control at the G gates. It has a rest area and a large window onto the movement on the runway. A practical tip for those departing non-Schengen: from the SKY Lounge you still have to face passport control, so it is best to leave with a generous margin. Those with access to the Austrian lounge at the G gates have already done that step, and can stay seated until boarding without a worry. For Schengen flights the problem does not arise, and only the distance from the gate counts.

In Vienna the choice almost makes itself: you look at the gate letter and your own ticket. For gates C and D the VIENNA Lounge, for gates F and G the SKY Lounge, which costs less and closes later; in both Priority Pass is valid and you enter only close to departure. Those flying Austrian in business or with a Star Alliance status choose the airline's lounge in their own sector, Schengen or non-Schengen, remembering that first class has a separate space.