Review: the British Airways Terraces Lounge at Berlin Tegel Airport

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

• Tina says:

  11 Jan11 January 04:00

  I visited Berlin last year and sat next to a Berliner on the flight out.

  He described TXL as an embarrassment to Germany

  • Jimbo says:

    11 Jan11 January 06:16

    Tegel is a gem of an airport! Car door to gate in a matter of minutes! The embarrassment to Germany is the process of building the new airport, although the Brits have egg all over their face too with their most recent new airport in St Helena…

    • Craig Vassie says:

      11 Jan11 January 08:56

      Spot on! If you know where everything is at TXL, then its a lovely airport to use, but I completely understand Anika’s frustration as a first timer. The BA Lounge is a bit of a let down, and is a six or seven minute walk from the non-Schengen gates that BA has to use. (think back to BEA and German domestic flights) The staff aren’t that great – kind of institutionalised a bit!
      Overall, TXL is STILL one of our favourite European airports. Its the only European capital where you can be at (say) the Intercontinental in just over half an hour after landing! Can’t say I’m looking forward to the move to Schonefeld (sorry – Brandenberg!) FYI the lack of a direct train connection isn’t that much of a bind – its a five minute bus ride to the U Bahn with a bus every few minutes. Taxis are plentiful and cheap.

      • John says:

        11 Jan11 January 09:40

        TXL is the LCY of Berlin. Very speedy to depart and arrive but experience is a bit meh. And you can certainly be at the IC London O2 half an hour after landing.

        In summer there was an article in Berlin’s equivalent of the “Metro” newspaper saying 89% of Berliners want TXL to stay open, in the unlikely scenario that BER also opens.

        • Will says:

          11 Jan11 January 10:24

          I know what your saying about LCY to the O2, but try stepping off the plane at LHR then getting to the O2 🙂

• Kwisstan says:

  11 Jan11 January 04:20

  I use the toilets direct below the lounge. They are accessible from the elevator in your photograph, but I use the stairs as it is quicker. They are closer than the Starbucks ones and easier to find

• Neil says:

  11 Jan11 January 05:24

  Thumbs down Anika!

  Tegel is a gem of a airport and it will be a sad day when it closes.

• Richard says:

  11 Jan11 January 06:54

  When I tried to use the lounge (booked on Finnair flight and BA silver card) they wouldn’t let me into the BA lounge saying that with non-BA flights only gold card holders are admitted. Saying that this isn’t how one world lounge access works didn’t hold any sway and we had some sandwiches outside in the car park. Later BA said that silver card holders are allowed in such circumstances and I got some avios as compensation.
  The overcrowded airport with poor public transport connections (no train) is a good reason to avoid visiting Berlin, the contrast with the new wing at Munich airport couldn’t be more different.

  • Save East Coast Rewards says:

    11 Jan11 January 10:34

    Oh come on! I was in MUC recently and you either have an expensive taxi ride into town or a slow stopping train! Much rather TXL with a taxi within minutes of arrival that gets you into town cheaply!

    For transport TXL is pretty much LCY pre-DLR (but taxis cheaper than London) vs LHR pre-HEX.

    If BER ever opens TXL should remain open as a convenient option to serve those who are willing to pay a little more for convenience.

    I do agree it has been somewhat neglected since 2012 though.

• Jason Hindle says:

  11 Jan11 January 06:55

  I was about to suggest that at least it’s not Hannover, but then I spotted the bit about the landslide lounge…

  • John says:

    11 Jan11 January 09:45

    That’s because in the main terminal each gate (or pair of gates) has its own airside area. Great for arriving 20 minutes before your flight (HBO), not so great if you want to spend 3 hours and eat a free gourmet meal

    • Jimbo says:

      12 Jan12 January 00:29

      No different to Prague, or Singapore, or other airports that scan bags at the gate and hold you in a pen. It’s just that it only takes a matter of minutes at Tegel to get to the pen after you’ve been dropped off.

• Simon says:

  11 Jan11 January 07:10

  Airport wise I can’t imagine Tegel can be worse than Schonefeld.

• Mark newstart! says:

  11 Jan11 January 07:30

  O/T Thinking of booking the Lounge at Glasgow Airport is it any good? Any info would be useful.
  Thanks Mark

  • Roy says:

    11 Jan11 January 08:21

    Nice lounge for an hour or so. Good selection of sandwiches in the early evening I was there. Wines and spirits etc. Café type seating area as well as comfy lounge area and a small ‘snug’ tucked away in the corner.

  • Al says:

    11 Jan11 January 08:23

    Don’t bother, save your money. It’s uninteresting with a poor food selection. You’re better saving your £25 and eating in one of the restaurants.

  • Sam says:

    11 Jan11 January 09:57

    Agree with AI. Bland lounge and food isn’t good. It’s fine for a short sit down but if you want decent food better spend the money elsewhere.

• Guesswho2000 says:

  11 Jan11 January 07:55

  I’m sure it’s not as bad as the old AMS lounge though! The new one at AMS is a big improvement, but nothing mind blowing. It was still a maze of wooden walkways when I was last there, about a year ago IIRC.

  • Rob says:

    11 Jan11 January 08:45

    Aspire next door is a bit better than the AMS BA lounge.

    • daftboy says:

      11 Jan11 January 10:52

      I wouldn’t agree with that one – found BA lounge to be generally a bit more polished than the Aspire. Food is basic in both lounges so I think it’s a wash on that front, and the only difference on drinks was Heineken on tap in Aspire.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.