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Take a look at the impressive new British Airways lounge at Milan Linate airport

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Milan Linate airport reopened yesterday for the start of the Winter timetable, albeit with a warning that the full refurbishment of the airport will not be complete until the middle of 2020.

British Airways has taken advantage of the closure to refurbish its lounge at Linate, which opened yesterday alongside the airport.  Looking at the pictures released yesterday, they have done a good job.  You could imagine that the uninspiring mess that is the new Business Class lounge at New York JFK never happened ….

To quote BA:

A brighter environment, new seating and powered hub tables in the new office layout provide the perfect working conditions, while those who want to make the most of their downtime can enjoy enhanced dining options including the introduction of hot dishes in the refurbished dining area.

Brand new British-made Boss armchairs, specifically designed for British Airways, are complemented by relaxing, decorative lighting by UK based Tyson lighting. Adapting the lounge design to the location, high quality Italian finishes are used, including terrazzo stone flooring and Carrara marble.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “We know the difference our lounges make to our customers, be they travelling on business or for pleasure, so we have ensured that the upgraded lounge in Linate is a calm, comfortable and attractive space where they can make use of the wi-fi and enjoy complementary catering to get their journey off to the best start.”

As usual, the lounge is open to anyone travelling in Club Europe or holding a British Airways Executive Club Gold or Silver card, or oneworld equivalent.  The usual small print applies – you will also get in if travelling in Euro Traveller but connecting to a same-day Club World flight, for example.

Next up are the new lounges in Johannesburg and Geneva, both due before the end of 2019.

PS.  A reader was there today and sent us this picture, which you can compare with the manicured PR version above.  It still looks good though:

British Airways new Milan Linate lounge

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British Airways and Avios

Comments (46)

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

  • The Original David says:
    28 Oct28 October 05:54

    Should I be worried about the “complementary catering” referenced in the press release? No doubt the drinks are carefully selected to complement the food, but does BA sneakily have plans to stop it being complimentary?!

    Or is Carolina Martinoli/BA’s media relations department just not very good at English…?

    • mark2 says:
      28 Oct28 October 07:08

      I would say that they have used the correct spelling, which is unusual.

      • The Original David says:
        28 Oct28 October 07:36

        They got it correct for “the chairs are complemented by the lighting”, but unfortunately they used the same spelling for the catering, which I hope will remain *complimentary*.

        • mark2 says:
          28 Oct28 October 08:49

          You want the staff to tell you how good you look today?
          The lounge and catering complement i.e. add to the flight.

  • Chuck says:
    28 Oct28 October 06:40

    Good news, many of BA’s European lounges could do with some upgrades…
    I have a trip booked to Linate in January anyone have recommendations for hotels ? Would like to be central, have a cancellable booking at Star Hotels Rosa Grand, can I do better ?

    • flyforfun says:
      28 Oct28 October 10:01

      I stayed at the Hotel Gran Duca di York, just a few mins walk away from the Duomo.

      Checked prices on the OTA’s then looked at their site and was able to one of few rooms with a balcony for less than the cheapest OTA bog standard room rate. Not sure you’ll want to use the balcony in January!! However they did have a free soft drink mini bar they replenished daily. Comfy bed, good shower, good breakfast and great staff.

  • Simon says:
    28 Oct28 October 06:44

    Anybody know the quickest way to central Milan from the airport? Tia

    • zark says:
      28 Oct28 October 07:07

      Taxi quickest.
      Bus to central rail station etc cheapest

    • HM says:
      28 Oct28 October 08:47

      Bus to Milano Centrale station is €5 each way (cash only) – taxi is the faster option but both have to contend with Milanese traffic to an extent in spite of the transit lanes…

      Uber is Uber Black only so nicer cars and service but you’re paying for it – hope that helps.

    • flyforfun says:
      28 Oct28 October 09:57

      I used the MyTaxi app last year. First time user and got some sort of discount. Only paid €15.

      Travelled there and back also for work a few years prior and I didn’t find it took too long time wise during rush hour.

      When we arrived on hols, we came in by train so took the subway to the hotel. That was confusing trying to guess which exit to come out at the many in Duomo!!

    • Lady London says:
      28 Oct28 October 12:54

      I think city bus 75 goes to sans babila kind of central. Cheapest option by far. You have to look for the pickup stop at LIN – used to be obscured by the ripoff tourist buses that go to the main station ( which is not that central). LIN is close enough to town you could almost walk it.

      MXP fastest way is the malpensa express from T1 lands somewhere you prob still need a taci from. Buses cheaper and not so bad dont take too much longer – they go to main station.

      Watch out for fog at MXP it’s very prone to it. Also thé surrounding motorways can get blocked with foggy accidents. So train slightly more reliable in winter.

  • Neil Donoghue says:
    28 Oct28 October 07:32

    It reminds me of a Eurostar lounge – looking forward to a proper review

    • flyforfun says:
      28 Oct28 October 10:02

      It looks better than it did though! When I was there last year it looked rally tired with worn furniture and gloomy lighting. This has got to be better!

  • Ben says:
    28 Oct28 October 08:20

    OT: have BA officially removed the tray between the seats in CE? If so, why? Sorry if I’v missed it being covered here before

  • Benilyn says:
    28 Oct28 October 09:32

    OT: Going Cape Town hopefully late Nov / early Dec. Firs time, being up front a bit anxious about security/safety, so looking for some advice. Note, I have been all around Asia, been Kenya (not South America though) so not adverse to staying in less than 5* areas, but something has me a little spooked here! People recommend Camps Bay, or V&A Waterfront as safest places (especially at night time), so I am looking there. Looking to go for 6 or 7 nights.
    1) Is it worth paying up £205 a night for Table Bay Hotel / Victoria & Alfred Hotel?
    2) What about The Cape Royale, it is in Green Point, but appears to be border of Green Point and V&A. I want to be able to walk around at night with no issues. It is a 1km / 13 min walk, 1.6km / 6min drive according to Google Maps to the V&A Waterfront.
    3) What about Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town, £79/pn cash booking quite cheap, reviews don’t seem the best. Is that location good?
    4) Any other recommendations / thoughts?
    Appreciate the help all!

    • Rhys says:
      28 Oct28 October 09:40

      I’ve been to South Africa twice and never had any problems. Driving/ubering around you are very safe – esp in touristy areas. Don’t be flashy, just be sensible and you’ll be just fine. Both times I stayed in AirBnBs outside of ‘usual’ tourist areas (although still good residential areas) and never had problems.

    • Chuck says:
      28 Oct28 October 10:09

      What Rhys says …
      I have also stayed at a house stay. Airbnb type before it was called that in Constantia valley, hired a car and had a great time. Never felt unsafe there…

    • APPL says:
      28 Oct28 October 10:25

      Many of chain hotels have free shuttles/ courtesy cars to V&A Waterfront. Uber is cheap, and v easy to get, especially around V&A Waterfront.
      If going for 6-7 nights, I would spend few days outside Cape Town too, somewhere in Winelands, like Stellenbosch, or Franschhoek.

      • Lyn says:
        28 Oct28 October 11:19

        Sadly it is too long since we have been there for me to comment about current safety issues.

        But +1 for visiting the vineyard areas and perhaps staying there overnight. Would you have time to go part of the way east along the Garden Route? Simonstown?

    • Genghis says:
      28 Oct28 October 10:34

      1) Depends when you’re going. What are the points options?
      3) There are a number of Proteas in Cape Town. We stayed at Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town North Wharf last year. Whilst the rooms were great, I wouldn’t stay there again due to the location – lower CBD area is a bit dodgy.
      4) We’re staying at African Pride 15 on Orange in Feb next year for 5 nights as it’s a bit of a bargain. We liked the area on our visit last year. We’ll have our son with us, will be happy to walk about the near area but will drive most places. Get yourself to Franschhoek. We’ll stay 5 nights there too as part of a relaxing holiday.

      • Benilyn says:
        28 Oct28 October 11:12

        1) Going Late Nov / Leaving Early Dec 2019. I don’t have any points really apart from IHG (110k odd and 2x free nights) but offerings seems poor here so going for cash booking.
        3) The Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town in V&A is the Waterfront Breakwater Lodge one, at £79 per night.
        4) I will check that out, that is in Cape Town City Centre.

        Thanks for the suggestions outside the city, do you drive there yourself?
        I really want to do an AirBNB as some look awesome, just paranoid for safety…..

        • Genghis says:
          28 Oct28 October 11:40

          1) Apologies. In high season, Cape Town can be very expensive but when you’re going, that hotel price seems a bit toppy.
          Yes – we just drive ourselves. V easy. Rental cost is cheap as chips. Already got our car booked, just over £100 for 11 days for something relatively big (luggage and buggy etc).

    • ChrisA says:
      28 Oct28 October 15:54

      Much of the crime (but of course not all) reported in Cape Town is actually in the Cape flats areas. Long St in the centre of the CBD can feel a bit edgy, and you will almost always come across people asking for money, but you should not let this stop you. All of the area’s you mention are fine, and Uber is your friend for getting around.
      I am currently in Franschhoek on my 8th trip to the country 🙂

  • GRIMZ says:
    28 Oct28 October 14:07

    OT – It appears I have been charged $32 for a Marriott Bonvoy points redemption in the Four Points by Sheraton at Miami airport. Anyone know if this is correct?

    • @mkcol says:
      28 Oct28 October 14:56

      Did you redeem points for that hotel?

    • Rob says:
      28 Oct28 October 15:26

      This is the invoice that should have gone to Marriott!

      (Or something was added to your bill after you’d left)

      Anika had a similar issue in the US earlier in the year.

      • xcalx says:
        28 Oct28 October 16:07

        Last 3 IHG reward stays IC San Juan x 2 $105 and HIX T4 £21.32 is showing on receipt but no money taken from card linked to account. A few points added too. When I queried this was told that’s what gets paid to IHG.

  • Lady London says:
    28 Oct28 October 15:55

    Without the little patches of William Morris? wallpaper on the small partitions, it looks like this would look a lot more characterless.

    I got a big surprise flying out of MXP on BA in J a while back – the lounge BA was/is? using at MXP was really nice.

    • TGLoyalty says:
      28 Oct28 October 20:36

      Still looks better than the dump it was a few months ago.

      Shame really I’ve been to both this airport and Geneva this year BEFORE the lounges were refurbished.

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