…A utilitarian space with nice food, showers and friendly staff
When: April 24, 2024
Rating: 7/10 – Very fine
Access: Star Alliance Gold
This is a strange lounge. It checks so many boxes for a lounge operated by an international carrier such as hot and cold buffet items, no charge bar, shower suites and a friendly staff. However, the space is so utilitarian looking, you really would not want to spend a lot of time here, unlike the Lufthansa lounge in Boston (review here). The tarmac views are wonderful and first class passengers can board directly from the lounge.
The entry is on Concourse B at IAD. In reality, Concourse A and Concourse B is really just one long terminal concourse divided in two sections. These concourses house most all foreign carriers and US carriers other than United and Air Canada.
Upon entry, the first class on Lufthansa and Swiss as well as Star Gold are directed to the upstairs Senator Lounge. Other eligible passengers are sent downstairs to the business lounge. The showers are downstairs and Senator Lounge travelers get a ticket to go downstairs and shower. The showers are rather nice – a large room – and shaving kits were provided,
Back upstairs to the Senator Lounge – the main room features some high top tables, a small tended bar, and a buffet. I enjoyed a veggie sandwich, a shrimp wrap, some soft pretzels, and grilled vegetables. I managed to avoid the butterscotch sponge cake. Behind the bar is the main lounge room – it’s well maintained but very dated.
Outlets are everywhere and staff was always cleaning and replenishing. All my staff encounters were pleasant. The chairs in the main lounge were comfortable. There is a roped off area – where first class passengers get a la carte dining – but no one was there on my visit. This is a good lounge for business travelers…but nothing to get too excited about.
I rate this lounge 7/10. Best features: Large showers, the food, the staff. Flaws: The décor.
Avid traveler/lounge aficionado, who looks to maximize the fun while traveling. The journey can be as fun as the destination!
Also on BoardingArea
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom Faces Unanimous No-Confidence Vote From Flight Attendant Union
American Airlines is facing escalating internal pressure after its flight attendant union issued a formal vote of no confidence in CEO Robert Isom. American Flight Attendants Vote No Confidence In CEO Robert Isom On Monday, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents roughly 28,000 flight attendants at American Airlines,...
Live from a Lounge
Marriott’s First Global Promotion of 2026: Earn 2,500 Bonus Points + 1 Elite Night Credit per Brand
Marriott has just announced their first promotion for 2026, where you get elite qualifying nights beyond just the bonus points. Here are the details. Register now.
The post Marriott’s First Global Promotion of 2026: Earn 2,500 Bonus Points + 1 Elite Night Credit per Brand appeared first on Live From...
The Alviator
My Favourite Aircraft To Fly: Here Are The Airplanes I Get Excited About
I'm hugely excited when I get on any plane, though there are a few planes I get particularly excited about flying. Here's why.
The post My Favourite Aircraft To Fly: Here Are The Airplanes I Get Excited About appeared first on The Alviator.
Link: Learn more about The Business Platinum Card from American Express
No Work All Travel
App Review: GPSmyCity
Disclaimer: I was invited to try out a subscription to GPSmyCity in exchange for this review. As a Silicon Valley tech alum, Jim Zhu has been a big-time traveler. Whenever he went somewhere new, he’d take a tour, be that one of those frequently stopping buses, or on a walk...
View from the Wing
Former American Airlines VP Says Unions Know CEO Is On His Way Out—That’s Why They’re Calling For His Ouster [Roundup]
A former American Airlines VP suggests the airline's unions expect CEO Robert Isom will soon be replaced—and that's why they're publicly calling for his ouster now, to appear influential when the inevitable leadership change happens. Plus, why no one talks about Singapore anymore and how Starbucks' loyalty program is getting...
TravelUpdate
Why I decided to renew the Amex Platinum Card for another year
It was time to make a decision once my annual fee posted, here's why I decided to renew the Amex Platinum Card for another year.
Monkey Miles
Starting today at 12pm EST – Exclusive World Cup tickets for Chase Sapphire cardholders ( buy up to 4 )
If you hold one of the following cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Chase Sapphire Reserve® Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ JP Morgan Reserve You’ll be eligible on 2/10/26 at 12pm EST to purchase up to 4 tickets, per match, across all of the following US host cities from June 12, 2026...
Economy Class & Beyond
Air France throws capacity to New York, as well as at film festivals
It seems Air France is preparing for an aggressive summer, with the airline planning add frequency between Paris and New York. Air France quotes 11 daily flights – but let’s break that down a little, as there is always a lot to look at in the details Paris CDG –...
Eye of the Flyer
Air France A350-900 Business Class New Seats Review Mexico City to Paris MEX-CDG
Introduction: My First Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian NCL Viva Prima Class Ship Emptying my Delta SkyMiles Accounts to get Value Flying to Lisbon Portugal The Comfort Inn South Bend SBN Airport Review via Delta Stays – How Very Disappointing Checking Bags on Two Separate Delta Tickets (Interlining) – How...
View from the Wing
20-Year Queens Rap Feud Combusts In Delta Business Class Cabin, Ends In Pillow Fight And Ejection
Uncle Murda and Tony Yayo found themselves on a Delta flight from San Francisco to New York JFK with Ja Rule. They're sworn enemies for more than two decades. And they were thrown together inside a plane.
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines Signals European Growth With New Route Wishlist, But Asia Remains Absent
American Airlines is signaling that its network ambitions may extend well beyond its current footprint, but the question is whether any of these “dream” routes are realistic in the near future under current market conditions. It’s also telling what regions are not on the list… American Teases Potential New International...
You Are Travel
Haircuts Far and Wide: Seeking Out Taper Fades All Over the World
This post first was first featured as a guest piece on Lesbifriends Travel – a community centered travel…
The post Haircuts Far and Wide: Seeking Out Taper Fades All Over the World appeared first on You Are Travel.
The Alviator
Cities That Are Served By 2+ Airports: In Which Cases Do These Airports Compete?
London, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Milan, and Beijing are examples of cities that are served by multiple airports. But do these airports compete?
The post Cities That Are Served By 2+ Airports: In Which Cases Do These Airports Compete? appeared first on The Alviator.
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Bonvoy Promo: 2,500 Bonus Points Per Stay, Plus Bonus Elite Nights
Marriott Bonvoy has just announced and opened registration for its newest global promotion, which is the program’s first of the year. Marriott’s Q1 promotion tends to be the most generous of the year, and I suspect this year will be no different.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Frontier Sues American Airlines For $100,000+ After Collision At Miami International Airport Badly Damaged Plane
Frontier Airlines has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines in a Florida district court seeking damages in excess of $100,000 after one of its planes was so badly damaged during a ground collision at Miami International Airport (MIA) that it had to be taken out of service for six months...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott Unveils First Global Promotion of 2026 With Bonus Points and Elite Night Credits
Marriott Bonvoy® has officially announced its first global systemwide promotion for 2026. It gives…
The post Marriott Unveils First Global Promotion of 2026 With Bonus Points and Elite Night Credits appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: A Quick Return to Changi Terminal 1 and the Marhaba Lounge – Growing Old in Style
A Quick Return to Singapore Changi Terminal 1 and the Marhaba Lounge Growing Old In Style It’s time to head towards home in some kind of eastward direction. First stop, Changi and the Marhaba Lounge. In this mammoth trip report (note, headings subject to change) Yes. I’m that old. Next....
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy Global Promotion: 2,500 bonus points per stay + 1 elite night credit for stays at each different brand
Marriott has finally revealed their first global systemwide promotion for 2026 and it offers 2,500 bonus points per stay plus 1 elite night credit for stays at each different brand. This promotion is perfect for all those single night travelers or for any one who is willing to break up...
Frequent Miler
Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide (2026)
Marriott’s rewards program, named “Marriott Bonvoy,” offers better-than-average rewards for paid stays, a mediocre elite program, a huge selection of hotels that run from very low-end to ultra-luxury, and credit cards that offer good value for their annual free nights but relatively poor value for credit card spend. This post...
One Mile at a Time
SFO ATC Clears Two United Planes To Take Off At Same Time, Then Denies It
An air traffic controller accidentally cleared two planes to take off on parallel runways around the same time, putting them on a course dangerously close to one another. Perhaps what’s most noteworthy here is how the air traffic controller then acted confused about how this happened…
Points With a Crew
Get An Easy $50 From Rakuten
If you don't have a Rakuten account, sign up and get an easy $50 by signing up and spending at least $50 (including on gift cards to many retailers!) in the first 90 days.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
The Great Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado
At an elevation of 10,857 feet, the great Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado is located in the Rio Grande National Forest and the San Juan National Forest — and it is only one of many locations at which one can stand on the ridge which divides the...
One Mile at a Time
American Flight Attendant Union Issues Historic Vote Of No Confidence In CEO
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is facing a lot of backlash from employees, over the company’s poor performance. A couple of weeks ago, American’s flight attendant union demanded management change, following the company reporting its lackluster 2025 earnings. The union is now stepping up its rhetoric a bit, and isn’t...
Matthew is an avid traveler, flying more than 200,000 miles per year. Live and Let's Fly shares the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs and promotions, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.
Travel Update is a collective blog of expert frequent flyers who write about the topics, experiences, advice and adventures of travel from around the US, Europe and the world. #flymore
A slightly off-center look at travel, points, miles, ways to save, funny stories & more, from a husband & wife team where he collects miles & points & she enjoys the fruits of his hobby.
