Summary
- The ANA Lounge at Lisbon Airport is located above the main terminal and can be accessed via a long escalator.
- The lounge can get crowded, especially during rush hour, but there are still available seating options.
- The lounge offers a selection of food and beverages, including a cold buffet, sandwiches, made-to-order coffee, snacks, and pastries.
Over the summer, I had the chance to try out TAP Air Portugal Airbus A321LR service from Lisbon to New York. Flying economy meant no access to TAP's lounges in Lisbon, so I decided to head to the ANA Lounge (no affiliation to the Japanese carrier). The facility allows Priority Pass members entry alongside several non-Star Alliance business and first class passengers. From long lines to great coffee, here's all you need to know about the space.
Getting to the lounge
Both the TAP Air and ANA Lounges are located above the main terminal right after security, accessible via a long escalator. Traveling at the start of the summer season meant there were going to be queues for any Priority Pass lounge. While I didn't mind too much, the queue almost began where the escalator ended, meaning it looked far more daunting than it turned out to be. It took about 10 minutes to get in, but some business class passengers were understandably frustrated, given how breezy the next-door TAP Air lounge was looking at 11:00.
The reception staff were quick to scan boarding passes to check eligibility and then ask for Priority Pass, DragonPass, or credit cards to gain entry. Inevitably, there were a few passengers with the wrong credentials, but the staff didn't allow this to slow down entry.
Read more: All about Priority Pass and how to access lounges
Packed at rush hour
It was clear that the lounge was packed when I entered at around 11:15. This was largely due to lots of transatlantic departures in the afternoon as well as plenty of European flights. Since the lounge is located on the Schengen side, it is accessible by all departing passengers, with there being no lounge in the non-Schengen terminal. Luckily, the ANA Lounge is quite large, meaning there was still a row of chairs open when I got there, where I promptly put down my jacket to secure a spot.
There are all kinds of seating, from leather seats right at the entrance to small dining tables near the cafe to recliners overlooking the apron and rows of seats around for all passengers. Upon entering, the right features pairs of seats with TVs overhead, followed by the recliners at the edge. On the left side, you have the cafe, which was bustling. Thankfully, there are also self-serve fridges and coffee machines, where I picked up a mango juice to start the day.
Food and beverage
There was a line for the cold buffet on the right side of the lounge. With only 30 minutes to enjoy the lounge, I was worried I might not make it to the front.
The food offering begins with a selection of cheese and cold cuts, fruit bowls, and four types of sandwiches. The line eventually goes to the staffed bar/coffee table, which has more sandwiches and made-to-order coffee and snacks like croissants and a bowl of soup. With a small snack plate in hand, I missed out on the fruit bowl but managed to get some chicken sandwiches, a cappuccino, and one last pastel de nata for the trip (an essential in Portugal!).
If you're short on time, I would suggest the self-serve counter for some drinks and pastries. However, I would love to return to the lounge at a time when it's a little less busy. There's plenty to explore, like an exhibit on Portuguese Jewels, and you could even relax for a few hours with a shower or nap.
After a brief, 40-minute stint in the lounge, it was time to head to the N Gates and through Schengen border control for my TAP Air A321LR flight to the US. Overall, the lounge is a large space, but be mindful that it can get busy quickly, and don't expect anything too substantial other than the basics, which it does well.
Have you visited the ANA Lounge at Lisbon Airport? Let us know in the comments!
