Review: Vienna Lounge at Vienna Airport Terminal 1 (Priority Pass welcomed)

The Vienna Lounge in Terminal 1 of VIE airport certainly lives up to its name, with an impressive 2,500 square metres of space, a good range of comfortable seating options, and a delicious buffet line that offers some Austrian specialties. It welcomed its first guests only in 2022 and appears to have been well maintained since, allowing for a very comfortable pre-flight experience.

Inside the Vienna Lounge at VIE airport

Lounge location

The lounge is located in the airside area of VIE Terminal 1 after the security control and the main duty free shops. There is a dedicated lift and staircase that brings passengers to level 2 where the entrance is. While it is nearest to gates C and D, passengers from Terminal 3 (where the smaller Sky Lounge is located) can also visit by using the inter-terminal shuttle buses that operate every 10 minutes.

A few airlines like British Airways use this lounge for their business class passengers. Priority Pass members are also welcome at this lounge. In fact, it is the global winner of the 2024 Priority Pass Excellence Awards and a really good choice to use lounge passes from credit cards.

Entrance to the Vienna Lounge

Lounge areas

The lounge occupies a large area with several zones designed for different preferences. At the heart of the lounge is the main buffet area with various seating zones surrounding it. Many of the seats (except individual dining tables) come with electric sockets and USB plugs.

Main buffet area

Dining area

Lounge chairs with tarmac and runway views

Flight information

Productivity areas including individual workstations are also available, which are designed to be isolated from the noisier dining area.

Quieter areas

A children's corner is a nice touch and includes baby changing facilities.

Children area

Food and drink

The buffet line comprises of several hot dishes (such as roast beef and local potato dumplings), soups, a salad bar and dessert station. There aren't any ala-carte options at this lounge, and it isn't huge variety, but the food is of good quality.

Buffet line

Still and sparkling water are available from the dispensers alongside with soft drinks.

Drink dispensers

There is also a selection of spirits and wines available, as well as a good tea selection.

Bar

Tea selection

Pre-flight meal

Viennese cafe area

Apart from the main buffet area, there is also a smaller cafe area near the lounge entrance. It features a selection of international newspapers, coffee machines, and variety of cakes like apple strudels and brownies.

Viennese cafe area

Cafe bar

Apple strudels and brownies available

Outdoor area

An outdoor area is available for guests to enjoy, where smoking is allowed. There is a nice tarmac and runway view. Although the seats at the front of the outdoor area are too low to spot any aircraft movements, the high tables behind are a better option for this purpose.

Door to the outdoor area

Outdoor seats

Overall impression

Modern, tidy and cleverly designed, the Vienna Lounge is an excellent place to relax, fuel up or get some work done pre-flight. The variety of different spaces is impressive as one can tell from the photos, as is the quality of food and drinks available. I'd be sure to drop by a second time when I'm back in Austria in future.