Review: the British Airways Terraces Lounge at Berlin Tegel Airport

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• Ben says:

  11 Jan11 January 10:54

  It will be years before brandenburg is finished. They should tear it down and start again.

  What is the worst BA outstation lounge out of interest?

  • Kinkell says:

    11 Jan11 January 13:21

    Rio. Miles away down a deserted corridor , grotty food, poor wine, which we had to ask for. Mind you this was March ’16 – pre Olympics

• C77 says:

  11 Jan11 January 11:19

  An ever so slightly scathing report on an airport which we all know is way past its expiry date. OK I agree its somewhat of an eyesore and could do with investment but who in their right minds is going to do this when Brandenberg is still in limbo? In terms of layout I actually appreciate the minimal trudging through a maze of duty free shops and commercial opportunities. It was clearly thought out to require less walking from car to plane/plane to car and I cant think of any other International Airport that provides this.You come across here as somewhat a TXL novice and have got flustered with your silver card! For me, I appreciate the dedicated security for my flight and not everyone else’s flight, the fact check in is also the gate. The fact I’m able to stay landside until boarding commences – chance to grab a currywurst from the S-Bann tram cafe (just outside and below the BA lounge) which having also tried the AF lounge is superior to AF. Try it again sometime once youve put your silver card away, knowing now how it functions and it will be a more positive experience

• Richard Thomas says:

  11 Jan11 January 12:55

  I use Tegel about twice a month. Yes it’s tired, but it’s also the only airport I know where the taxi can drop you off 10 meters from the plane! Things you get used to include (1) if you have hand luggage only and are going BA just get the taxi to take you straight to Gates A5 or A6 (2) time your arrival about 10 minutes before the gate closes, and there won’t be a queue at check in or passport control at all (3) if arriving early get the taxi to take you straight to the BA lounge!

  Landing at Tegel you will learn that the baggage handlers don’t tend to give priority to the priority baggage – I suspect sometimes they even save the orange tagged luggage for last in an act of egalitarianism. I normally just take hand luggage, which means you can be in the taxi 5 minutes after the plane lands, and in the middle of Berlin 20 minutes later.

  I’ll miss Tegel once it has closed!

• Fenny says:

  11 Jan11 January 13:11

  The fact that the toilets are down and up a flight of stairs would be enough to put off anyone with mobility problems. No way I could take Ma in there.

  • Ralf says:

    11 Jan11 January 16:16

    there is an elevator door right in front of the lounge as well as the restrooms.

• Mark says:

  11 Jan11 January 13:15

  O/T (kinda) has anyone recently flown BA CW to San Jose from Heathrow T5 and know whether it normally goes from the 5B satellite instead of the main terminal? I would prefer to use the 5B Galleries lounge if it is but don’t want to trek over there if the flight departs from the main building!

  • Matt says:

    11 Jan11 January 16:57

    It’ll be B or C gates, so T5B lounge should be fine for either.

• mark1980 says:

  11 Jan11 January 17:30

  Couple of questions re Berlin and TXL. Doingan AB TXL – AUH redemption in J in March. Will be flying from the regions on an LCC which gets in around 3pm and my flight would be departing at 11am the following day. Obviously I need a night in Berlin and having never been before I’m thinking of going 2 days earlier so I have 36 hours or so to explore. So my questions are:
  1. Any recommendations for ‘must see’ things whilst I’m there?
  2. Any recommendations for a cheap(ish) hotel in the city centre? Ive got H Diamond and IHG Plat and I was leaning towards an IHG property for my accelerate target
  3. Anyone used the AB lounge at TXL?

  Thanks in advance.
  Mark

  • YL says:

    11 Jan11 January 20:31

    Unless there are events or conference, the hotels price in Berlin are generally very reasonable.

    There are currently 3 Hilton hotels in Berlin, Hampton Inn and WA are both in the Ku’damm area (popular shopping district) extremely easy and quick travelling to and from TXL directly by bus. On the other hand the Hilton’s location is also great. It is located in the historic Gendarmenmarkt square, the Ubahn station is right in front of the hotel, and it is also a short walking distance to many tourist attractions. (The Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Island etc…)

    My personal favourite IHG hotel in Berlin is the IC, which is also located in Ku’damm area and next to the zoo. I have not stayed in the standard room before because of the AMB mebership, but the Deluxe room is huge and very comfortable. Price wise, the The Hampton Inn, could be very cheap sometimes, but it can also be unbelievable high….higher than the IC during the same period of time. I have seen IC AP rate as low as €78 lower than the Crowne plaza near by.

    I have stayed at many different hotels in Berlin before, but have spent most nights at Hilton Berlin simply because of the breakfast and the location. If you are Hilton Diamond, you will have the lounge access, full breakfast at the restaurant and access to the spa area for free at hilton Berlin. The offerings of the lounge is sadly not as good as it used to be, and the upgrade is now hit and miss. However, I still valued the lounge access, because of the location of the hotel and the lounge (Ground floor), you could easily pop in grab a coffee and out again.

    As you only have 36 hours in the city but also have the accelerate target in mind, I think you may want to work out what you want to see first and compare the price and location of the hotels to decide what suits you best.

    Hope this help.

  • C77 says:

    11 Jan11 January 21:06

    AB don’t have a lounge at TXL. They use the Air France lounge facilities. Nothing to write home about there. I prefer the BA lounge which you can only access if you’re a Oneworld status card holder. If you’re redeeming avios, you’re actually eligible for the complimentary limo service Berlin Hotel-TXL and again AUH-UAE destination. AB dont discriminate here against points redemptions. If booked in to Business then you’re eligible. It makes the £40ish outlay for your AB business class redemption even better value. You will however need to contact the AB contact centre to book this feature. Last time I looked it could not be booked on their website which is a shame as I found them a nightmare to deal with. Good much and enjoy the J experience on AB!

• Robert Southern says:

  11 Jan11 January 20:09

  Another vote for Tegel being a FANTASTIC airport for a business traveler. Where else can you get out of a taxi and onto your flight in 10 meters and 3 mins? Simple, but effective. The lounge is also decent if you do have some dead time.

  I have a feeling Tegel will be around for a long time to come, and I am glad about that!

• Doug M says:

  12 Jan12 January 03:51

  Tegel is what an airport should be, a place to board a plane. Another +1 for Tegel.

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