Review: Icelandair Saga Lounge - Perfect for Unwinding
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Before our return flight from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Helsinki, we received an invitation from Finnair to visit a lounge. As Finnair doesn't operate a lounge at KEF, they extended this courtesy via the Icelandair Saga Lounge. The lounge exceeded our expectations, boasting spacious interiors, an impressive food and drink selection, plus a serene environment. This was precisely what we sought for a relaxing visit pre-departure. For a more detailed account of the Icelandair Saga Lounge, refer to the full article.
Covered in the Article
Reyjkavik Keflavik Airport
Keflavik International Airport (KEF), officially recognized as Reykjavik Keflavik Airport, serves as the principal principal gateway to Iceland. Positioned strategically at the edge of the Reykjanes Peninsula, the airport plays a crucial role as a hub for international passengers, boasting connections to about 100 global destinations.
Icelandair operates as the primary airline at Keflavik Airport, utilizing it as its principal hub. In addition, numerous other airlines operate at the airport, providing passengers with a multitude of choices. The airport's popularity has surged due to its function as a stopover spot, largely because of its strategic positioning. Keflavik Airport serves as a crucial transit point connecting Europe and the United States, playing a pivotal role in facilitating international travel.
Icelandair Saga Lounge
Keflavik Airport houses only one lounge, the Icelandair Saga Lounge. Being the lounge of Iceland's flag carrier airline at its home hub, the lounge caters to Icelandair's business class and status-holding passengers. In addition to serving Icelandair passengers, Saga Lounge also caters to premium passengers from other airlines. This collaboration allows these airlines to enhance the travel experience for their highly-valued customers without the need for their own dedicated lounge space at Keflavik Airport. Icelandair Saga Lounge offers its visitors a serene and spacious environment with a panoramic view of the picturesque Reykjanes Peninsula and Faxaflói Bay.
Location
Icelandair Saga Lounge is located close to Gate A15 at the main terminal of Keflavik Airport.
Opening Hours
Icelandic Saga Lounge is open daily from 5 AM to 5 PM. However, the closing time in the summer is usually extended beyond 5:00 PM so it is recommended to verify the times from the official website of the lounge before your visit.
Our Visit to Icelandair Saga Lounge
During our recent trip to Iceland, we had the pleasure of visiting Icelandair Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport before our flight to Helsinki by Finnair. We had secured our business class tickets using our accrued Finnair Plus points. Finnair does not have its lounge at Keflavik Airport but in collaboration with its partner Icelandair, they provide access to this premium lounge service to their business class passengers. As a result, we were invited to enjoy the facilities of Icelandair Saga Lounge, free from any additional charges. This collaboration between the airlines not only serves the customers well but also optimizes the use of resources effectively which promotes sustainable travelling.
Our flight was scheduled to depart at 5:50 PM, yet we were surprised to discover that Icelandair Saga Lounge was closing already at 5:00 PM. The friendly receptionist told us this when we arrived at the lounge. This was quite unusual for us, as airport lounges typically don't close that early. The premature closure might have been because, after 6:00 PM, there weren't many departing flights by Icelandair. This, unfortunately, limited our time in the lounge, which was a bit of a letdown given our initial expectations.
Impressions of Saga Lounge
We share our impressions and thoughts about the Icelandair Saga Lounge at Reykjavik Keflavik Airport.
Arrival
Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport was easy to find. We followed airport lounge signs that guided us to the lounge. One interesting aspect to note is that the lounge is strategically located after the security check but before the passport control. This makes the lounge suitable both for Schengen and non-Schengen passengers. Passengers flying to the US from Wing D should reserve at least 20 minutes more to clear the passport check. Luckily, the passport control is only a few steps away from the lounge.
Once we passed the security check and walked through the duty-free store, we found ourselves in the main hall of the departure area. From there, we continued towards Gate A15, situated in Wing A in the Schengen area. Saga Lounge was positioned near Gate A15, one floor above, thus offering a tranquil haven away from the bustling airport floor. The lounge can be accessed through the stairs or via the elevator. This ensures that the lounge is readily accessible to all, regardless of mobility needs.
Our arrival at the Saga Lounge was a smooth experience. We were greeted by a friendly receptionist who promptly checked our boarding passes with a QR scanner. With a warm smile, she informed us that the lounge would be closing at 5:00 PM, which we appreciated. Despite the simplicity of the service, the amicable demeanour of the staff left a lasting impression. Their welcoming attitude set the tone for a relaxing pre-flight experience, underscoring the inviting atmosphere of Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport.
Premises
Upon stepping into Saga Lounge, we noticed the expansive size of the space. The design followed the Scandinavian style but it was not as simple as usually in Nordic countries. The lounge was divided into several areas, each furnished with a different type of premium seating arrangement. Warm brown was the dominating colour. Close to the reception area, buffet tables were situated, displaying a variety of food options including Icelandic delicacies. However, the beverage stations, featuring coffee and other drinks, were strategically spread out across the lounge, ensuring convenient access from any corner of this huge lounge.
The lounge boasted large windows, providing a panoramic 2-way view of the tarmac. This feature undoubtedly delights plane enthusiasts, offering them a chance to spot various aircraft. The lounge maintained an air of tranquillity, creating a peaceful retreat from the bustling airport.
The decor of the lounge was a tasteful blend of modern elegance and cultural appeal. Artistic photos adorned the walls, while decorative lighting fixtures created a warm and inviting ambience. The incorporation of lava stones, fireplace and wooden furniture added a distinctively Icelandic touch to the space, reflecting the unique geological features of the country and infusing a sense of serenity into the environment. Indeed, Saga Lounge was not just a place to wait for your flight; it was an experience in and of itself. We felt like we were in a peaceful lounge that was designed ultimately for unwinding.
To support a working environment even more convenient for guests, there were many power sockets so charging your device was easy. The lounge has flight information screens and televisions. We did not hear any flight announcements so the lounge seemed to be silent. During our visit, one of their staff approached us and other lounge visitors and asked nicely if we were flying to this next next flight to the U.S. This gave us a good impression, that the lounge staff were concerned about their guests missing their flight while staying at the lounge.
Locker Facilities
For those with long layovers, Icelandair Saga Lounge provides locker facilities. By asking for a key at the front desk, you can safely store your bags in the lockers across from the reception.
Food and Drinks
Dining is a significant part of the lounge experience. Before getting to the airport, we visited Blue Lagoon so we were already quite hungry when we arrived at the lounge. In the past, we've visited lounges that had a scarce selection of low-quality food. Thankfully, Icelandair Saga Lounge proved to be a refreshing exception which did not leave us disappointed.
The lounge offered an extensive buffet selection of both cold and warm dishes. The spread included salads, a variety of breads, crispbread, egg butter, cheese, curry soup, meatballs, and mini pizzas. Crispbread and egg butter are Nordic specialists which we recommend you to taste. An assortment of desserts was available on a separate table, featuring fruits, doughnuts, and traditional Icelandic muffins. Icelandic muffins are delicious so don't forget to buy some of them at home.
As for beverages, the lounge had various canned and bottled drinks in a refrigerator, including juices and soft drinks. A broad selection of spirits, beer, wine, and sparkling wine was also available. Essentially, the selection encompassed almost everything one could expect in a business lounge.
The layout of the lounge allowed for food to be enjoyed right from the comfort of your soft chair, each equipped with a small table. For those who prefer a traditional dining setup, a separate area featuring standard tables and chairs was also available.
Showers and Toilets
Icelandair Saga Lounge has toilets for males and females inside the lounge. They were clean inside. There were also showers for passengers who wished to freshen up before a long flight. The use of shower facilities comes with free use of towels and toiletries from Blue Lagoon.
Wi-Fi
Saga Lounge has free open Wi-Fi. Using it is simple: you just connect your device to the network and it works instantly. We tested the Wi-Fi and it worked smoothly and it was fast.
Family-Friendly Lounge
Saga Lounge aside from being spacious features family facilities and a play area for kids. This guarantees that regardless of the guest's age, everyone will enjoy one stay at the lounge. Such facilities are rare to find in many of the world's best lounges. During our visit, the lounge was peaceful with over half of the lounge remaining unoccupied.
Customer Service
The staff at Saga Lounge were friendly. They spoke good English and maintained a cheerful attitude. Also, the tables were constantly being cleaned and the buffet tables were filled. The staff did their work efficiently with a good attitude. We would say that Saga Lounge has 5-star customer service.
Rating
We rate Icelandair Saga Lounge as a 5-star lounge.
Saga Lounge has a huge amount of space and has an invigorating Nordic design. Saga Lounge is perhaps the most peaceful lounge we have ever been, too. The lounge served tasty warm and cold food with a wide range of drink selections. It had all the service you need for a layover and everything was made with good quality. Nice decoration featuring Icelandic elements like lava stones, plants and the fireplace made the atmosphere very relaxing. Icelandair Saga Lounge is not just a typical lounge but it is an attraction that shares Icelandic culture.
Keflavik International Airport is situated on the edge of the Reykjanes Peninsula, making it a perfect hub for passengers transiting between Europe and the U.S. Even though Icelandair Sage Lounge is the only lounge at Keflavík International Airport, it proves the line, 'quality beats quantity' to be true. Accessing the lounge is not easy as lounge memberships are not accepted. However, if you have the privilege to access this lounge, you will surely enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and services that the lounge provides.
How to Access Saga Lounge
The majority of the visitors are Silver or Gold members of the Icelandair's Saga Club loyalty program. Saga Lounge is also cooperating with many airlines, so you may get access if you are on a high status in another miles program. We recommend contacting your airline if you wish to know if are you entitled to visit Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport. Many airlines, like Finnair, invite their business class passengers to Saga Lounge.
Some Icelandic-based credit card holders enjoy complimentary access to Icelandair Saga Lounge.
Icelandair Saga Lounge does not accept Priority Pass or other lounge membership programs. Neither you can buy a single entry lounge pass to it. Shortly said, you need an invitation from your airline or you need the right Icelandic credit card to have access to Saga Lounge.
Members of the Saga Gold or Saga Silver tiers can bring an additional guest by paying 7.900 ISK or 15,800 Saga Points. However, Saga Gold members can bring more than one child under 18 years of age without any additional charges. Credit card holders who have lounge access can also bring a guest for 9.900 ISK or 19,800 Saga Points, but it applies only to scheduled Icelandair flights or charter flights operated by Icelandair unless specified otherwise.
Common Questions
- Where is the Icelandair Saga Lounge at Keflavik Airport?
- The lounge is near Gate A15 on the second floor. It is after the security check in the Schengen area.
- Do I need much time to proceed to my gate after a lounge visit?
- If you are flying to a Schengen destination, 5 minutes is enough. Other passengers should reserve 20 minutes more for passport control.
- Which lounge memberships are accepted in Sage Lounge?
- Unfortunately, not any is accepted.
- How can I access Saga Lounge?
- You need an invitation from your airline or an Icelandic credit card with lounge access.
- Is Saga Lounge spacious and peaceful?
- Yes, it is spacious and peaceful with a good tarmac view.
- Does Saga Lounge offer food?
- Yes, it does. There is cold and warm food.
- Does Saga Lounge serve alcohol?
- Yes, it serves juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, wine, sparkling wine and many spirits.
- Is there Wi-Fi in the lounge?
- Yes, there is and it works well.
- Are there power sockets in the lounge?
- Yes, there are power sockets everywhere in the lounge.
- Are there toilets inside the lounge?
- Yes, there are.
- Are there showers inside the lounge?
- Yes, there are.
Bottom Line
Saga Lounge is a stunning airport lounge, so thoughtfully laid out, and has a very spacious and versatile space. The food and drink selection was great. The availability of clean shower facilities, a play area for kids and many recliners with a great tarmac view make your visit to Saga Lounge even more comfortable. There were plenty of staff members around who were all polite and cheerful. Despite our short lounge visit due to its early closing time at 5:00 PM, we can attest that Icelandair Saga Lounge is one of the best airport lounges in the world we’ve been to.
Have you visited Icelandair Saga Lounge? How was your visit? Comment below!
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