Review: Air France – KLM lounge, Geneva International Airport, Terminal 1

In Terminal 1, the lounge is accessible from either the domestic or international departures area, on the mezzanine level. To get there, the lounge is clearly identified by the name “Company Lounges” on airport signage. Unlike lounges at other airports, finding it is child’s play.

The lounge is open every day, but on a variable schedule, which in my Review must correspond to Air France and KLM flight times:

The easiest way to gain free access to the Air France – KML lounge is to be a member of the Priority Pass or DragonPass programs.

Note that contrary to what you might think, presenting an American Express Platinum Card^MD is not enough to give you access to this lounge.

The trick is to use one of the privileges of your American Express Platinum Card^MD, which gives you an absolutely free subscription to the Priority Pass program. It is therefore important to have activated your Priority Pass subscription a few weeks before your visit. Once your membership has been activated, you can use the Priority Pass application on your phone to display your Priority Pass virtual membership card. The lounge receptionist will simply scan the QR code displayed on the virtual map on your phone.

Otherwise, the lounge is accessible free of charge to Air France customers travelling in La Première, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus cabins.

When I arrived at around 8 a.m., there was no wait to get into the lounge – in fact, I was the very first customer of the day.

The lounge occupies almost 2,500 square feet of space on a single floor, and seats 83.

The lounge was recently renovated (2020) and it still shows… everything still looks new. There’s a vast lounge, a modern, calm and functional coworking area, and a food area reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie. Wi-Fi is available and USB sockets are close to each seat.

The main lounge area features a large sofa that creates a cosy atmosphere.

In terms of space and service offering, the Air France – KML lounge at Geneva airport resembles the Air France – KML lounge at Montreal airport, but everything is a little smaller and more limited in Geneva. For example, in Geneva, food and beverages are offered on a self-service basis, so there’s no bar service run by a member of staff, as in Montreal. The table clearing service is impeccable, as is the general cleanliness of the premises.

Having risen early and driven from my hotel in the French suburbs of Geneva, I had plenty of time to return the car to the rental agency and check-in before arriving at the Air France – KML lounge at around 8am. I hadn’t had breakfast at my hotel, so I could enjoy it in the lounge while waiting for my late-morning flight to Paris.

The Air France – KML lounge met my needs just as I had anticipated. The quality of the food offered was far beyond what we’re used to seeing in comparable lounges in North America. The croissants, chocolatines and jams were tasty.

The lounge windows offer a somewhat restricted view of the tarmac and the Jura mountain range.

My visit to this lounge was exactly what I had anticipated, but I was a little (pleasantly) surprised at how little traffic there was.

Several soft drinks were available in can format, as well as fruit in a basket, ideal for bringing along and snacking on during your flight.

If you’re not lucky enough to have access to the great Swiss lounges at Geneva airport, this Air France – KLM lounge is a boutique-style haven of peace where you’ll receive attentive service. A good alternative after all!

Find out how I used points and miles to save on my trip to the Italian Alps: