Experiencing the Lufthansa Lounge at Milan Malpensa Airport

A Special Journey to Bangkok via Paris

On my exciting journey from Bangkok through Paris, I found myself with a long layover at the Lufthansa Lounge in Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). I had originally booked a flight to Zurich (ZRH) with SWISS, but unfortunately, my flight was canceled, turning my expected three-hour wait into a seven-hour one. While I felt a mix of disappointment and relief, having access to the lounge made the wait much more comfortable.

Honestly, I usually find Lufthansa lounges in Europe to be quite standard and somewhat bland, but this one had a unique charm. Perhaps it's the Italian touch, but I thoroughly enjoyed the barista coffee here, and the food was significantly better than what I've experienced elsewhere.

Location and Opening Hours

The Lufthansa Lounge is located in Terminal 1 within the Schengen area of the airport. Once you arrive at the terminal, simply follow the signs to gates A24-30, and you’ll find the lounge entrance on your left. The lounge hours are quite flexible, typically opening from 4:30 AM or 4:45 AM until 8:30 PM or 9:30 PM, so be sure to check the Lufthansa or Star Alliance website for the latest updates.

Lounge Access Regulations

This lounge follows the standard access regulations of Star Alliance. This means it is open to first and business class passengers of Star Alliance, as well as Gold members. With my business class ticket, I was fully eligible to access this lounge. It's worth noting that this is a common lounge, without separate areas for Lufthansa Senator or Lufthansa Business as seen in some other airports.

Lounge Area and Layout

The Lufthansa Lounge in Milan spans approximately 550 square meters and can accommodate 117 guests. For an outdoor lounge, this size is quite decent, though not overwhelmingly large. The lounge is designed in an “L” shape; upon entering, you'll find a walkway in the center with seating on one side and a buffet on the other. If you turn right, you'll discover the rest of the lounge with most of the seating options.

Bar Area and Seating

Close to the entrance, there are several communal tables with easy access to charging stations, along with a few semi-private seating areas and café-style tables. The main area of the lounge features a variety of seating options, from leather chairs to bar stools and sofas.

Additionally, the lounge boasts some unique design elements, such as a glowing wall that resembles a bookshelf. The Wi-Fi is fast and free, making this one of the most attractive Lufthansa lounges in Europe in my opinion.

Food and Beverage Options

Everything here seems to be upgraded, especially in the afternoon. Upon arrival, breakfast was served with items like cereals, fruits, yogurt, cheese, cold cuts, bread, and more. There were also some hot dishes, including scrambled eggs, traditional potatoes, ham, and vegetables.

As for beverages, there's a diverse selection of self-service soft drinks, coffee, and tea, alongside a variety of wines from the bartenders. I particularly loved having barista coffee in this lounge, as it’s not often found in other Lufthansa lounges. I enjoyed a few delicious cappuccinos during my stay.

Restroom Facilities and Other Services

The restrooms are located just inside the entrance to the right, rated as “high-end restrooms by Villeroy & Boch.” The men’s restroom includes several sinks and toilets, and it was quite clean. The lounge does not have shower facilities, which is not surprising for a regional lounge.

Conclusion

In summary, while Lufthansa lounges tend to be quite similar, the one at Milan Malpensa stands out with subtle differences. The lounge isn’t overcrowded, features barista coffee, and offers a better food selection than what I typically see at other Lufthansa lounges in Europe, especially with a chef serving pasta dishes. While I wouldn’t recommend arriving too early, this lounge is definitely suitable for short flights within Europe.