Lounge Review: Tegel's C-Lounge, Plane Spotters' Wish

• By Ceasar Cotting
• 04 July 2019 - 11 min read

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C-Lounge is the latest Priority Pass Lounge in Berlin-Tegel Airport. It is located in Terminal C which caters to many foreign airlines. The lounge is something that we have been waiting for a long to make the terminal more comfortable. Read from our review what to expect from this lounge.

Berlin-Tegel Airport

Berlin Tegel Airport is an airport that a big capital does not deserve. It is an outdated airport and worse, this airport is running out of its capacity. It was planned to be closed a long time ago and is to be replaced by the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. Unfortunately, the construction work of the new airport faced big difficulties. Thus, Berlin-Brandenburg Airport remains nonoperational up to this date. A piece of good news just came last year in December with officials saying that finally, Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport would replace the city's Tegel airport as the international hub. Berlin-Brandenburg Airport will be open to the public on October 31, 2020.

The main terminal, Terminal A of Berlin-Tegel Airport is somehow difficult to navigate and sometimes even finding the exit door proves to be a tough task for many passengers connecting here. The terminal has not much capacity and that is why the airport has been extended with terminals C and D. There used to be business lounges only in Terminal A but luckily a lounge has been opened at Terminal C. Terminal C is the home of many traditional and low-cost airlines so it is likely that you will be departing from this terminal.

Terminal C of Berlin Tegel Aiport is one of the worse airports in Europe. Nothing to appreciate in terms of design as it is comparable to a big storage hall and is now called an airport terminal. Luckily, it is easier to navigate there than in the Terminal A. Spending a long layover in the Terminal C of Berlin-Tegel Airport would become unpleasant without its lounge, C-Lounge.

C-Lounge: The Lounge in Terminal C

If you are flying out from Terminal C, you are lucky, even though this terminal is meant for many low-cost airlines. A drawback is that the public transport in Berlin will take you to Terminal A and you need to walk about 100 meters via an outside corridor (be warned that it is usually cold there) to reach Terminal C. The terminal itself is a big hall but it is simple. You just need to find your check-in/baggage desk, go to the security and in a few minutes, you will arrive at the air-side hall.

There are some pros to Terminal C. It has better tax-free shops compared to Terminal A and finding your gate is easy. In contrast, the terminal is somehow uncomfortable, a noisy place. To make yourself relaxed, you might consider visiting a lounge. Fortunately, there is this a lounge, C-Lounge in the terminal.

The lounge is small but clean. During the time of our visits, the lounge has been almost empty in the midst of the busy terminal where it is located. We guess, that many people have not found the lounge yet because of its quite hidden location. We still recommend you visit C-Lounge because it will make your Tegel Airport experience a lot better.

The lounge has three floors. There are no clear signs on the second and the third floor and during our first visit, we didn´t even know about the other floors. Stairs up and leave behind the catering tables. Most likely, there will be much free space on the second and third floors. There is even an open-air terrace on the third floor, which is perfect for plane spotting and might be a paradise spot for smokers.

The Location of C-Lounge

There are two different security checkpoints in Terminal C. Decide which one you should use, this depends on your departure gate. The lounge is located just after the security checkpoint on the right side of the terminal. Majority of the passengers are directed to the security checkpoint on the left side of the terminal. This isn't an issue because anyway you will end up in the same departure hall but on the opposite corner.

If you happen to use the right-side security checkpoint, you will see the lounge right away after the security check. Finding the lounge is then easy and it is located next to Gate C80.

If you use the other security checkpoint, you will end up at the other end of the departure hall and from there, you need to walk to Gate C80. The walking time is only 5 minutes but you need to take the stairs up and down. It is hardly acceptable that there are no elevators. Walking long stairs up and down with heavy luggage may be somehow demanding. Anyway, if you are in normal shape, reaching the lounge in 5 to 10 minutes isn't a too tough task and entering the lounge is then even more rewarding.

Spotters' Dream Lounge

Plane-spotters, like us, will love this lounge. It is just next to the tarmac at the ground level and you will most likely see planes parked on the other side of the window. It is not common to have the opportunity to spot planes this close. Photographing is also possible through big windows. The second and third floors have also big windows to the tarmac.

How to Get In C-Lounge?

Frequent travellers usually have Priority Pass and this lounge accepts it. Priority Pass membership is the easiest way to enter.

Travellers who make fewer trips may buy a single time pass from Lounge Pass. The price is about 26 euros per person which is surprisingly affordable. The lounge Pass service is loved by many of our website visitors.

In December 2019, we used Lounge Pass to enter this lounge. A small minus was that the receptionist had no idea what Lounge Pass is. She almost rejected us to enter the lounge but after we explained to her the idea of a Lounge Pass voucher, she let us in. She was sorry for her mistake.

Majority of travellers are using lounge membership programs and that is why prepaid Lounge Pass single entries are not always that familiar for lounges' staff. For infrequent travellers, Lounge Pass is often the most affordable way to visit lounges.

It is always possible to pay your entry at the door, but the price will then be 36 euros. Some business class passengers may also be invited in by the airline but if you are travelling in the Star Alliance business class, the airline will most probably invite you to Lufthansa's Lounge inside Terminal A.

The Entrance Fee

The entrance fee is 26 euros when bought from Lounge Pass.. The prices may change so always check the latest price when purchasing.

Our Rating

The Easiness to Find the Lounge

The lounge is easy to find but not easy to reach because it is at the corner of a big hall. C-Lounge is suitable only for passengers departing from Terminal C. If you plan to visit the lounge, take the security checkpoint at the right side of the terminal no matter which departure gate your flight is. You will then see the lounge right after the security at the same level (ground level). Taking the wrong security checkpoint means you have to exercise in the departure hall by walking the stairs up and down.

Comfyness

C-Lounge is comfortable. It is clean and nicely decorated. There are great views of the tarmac from every floor.

During our visits, the lounge has been almost empty and that has made it peaceful. With more customers, we guess that the lounge atmosphere will be different.

In C-Lounge, there are a TV, flight information screen and comfortable chairs. The lounge does not have Wi-Fi but you can connect to the airport's network. Airport Wi-Fi works well but you can use it for only 1 hour free of charge.

Toilets are outside the lounge but near.

Food and Drinks

The food and drink selection in the lounge is basic. There have been beer and wines available. We have been also able to take cold drinks from the fridge. The lounge has a coffee machine.

The drink selection is good enough for a lounge.

The food and snack selection is small. During our visits, there have been soup, sandwiches, croissants, cheese, ham and yoghurt available. The food selection has consisted of cold snacks and there has been soup which has been the only hot item.

Many lounges have a much better food table than this lounge. Still, the food selection of this lounge is good enough.

Friendliness of the Customer Service

Receptionists have welcomed and served us friendly. Unfortunately, they have also been unaware of all accepted entry methods. So there is still room to improve the service.

Overall Rating

We rate Berlin-Tegel Airport C-Lounge as a 3-star lounge. Three stars don't sound a lot but after you see the terminal itself, we are sure you are happy with 3-star quality.

Bottom Line

Berlin-Tegel Airport will not be your favourite place but the presence of C-Lounge will enhance your experience at this airport. If you have more than 1 hour extra time at the airport, visiting C-Lounge surely give value for your money. It gives you a much more comfortable environment avoiding the unpleasant noise of crowds at the terminal itself. Lastly, we recommend this lounge for plane-spotting lovers.

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Tags: lounge, review, airport
Destination: Germany