Assessment: Lufthansa Lounge Newark Airport (EWR), Together with First Eating

For the primary phase of my journey of downgrades, suspensions, and delays, I flew Lufthansa’s A350 Allegris top quality from Newark to Munich. Previous to my flight, I had the prospect to take a look at the Lufthansa Lounge Newark (EWR). That is additionally the place I met up with my dad, as I used to be coming from Miami, whereas he was coming from Tampa.

In 2024, Lufthansa launched its new lengthy haul passenger expertise, generally known as Allegris. As a part of this, the airline can also be rolling out a brand new lounge idea, and the situation in Newark was the primary to get an Allegris makeover. The airline reportedly spent €10 million updating this lounge, which looks as if lots.

How is that this lounge? I’d say it’s moderately good, and specifically, there’s a strong top quality eating part (which I’ll evaluation on this installment as nicely). I want the lounge had extra pure gentle, however admittedly that’s one thing the airline has little management over, given the problem with securing area at airports. I additionally suppose there’s room for enchancment in terms of meals.

Now, I’d say that Lufthansa’s lounge adjustments are undoubtedly extra evolutionary reasonably than revolutionary, so don’t anticipate something just like the world’s prime enterprise class lounges. However nonetheless, there are some good design updates, in comparison with Lufthansa’s previous lounge design.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark location

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark is situated in Terminal B, which is the place Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian flights depart from. Newark has undergone a really good modernization in recent times, however my goodness, Terminal B is a steaming pile of rubbish. What a tragic terminal during which to open a brand new lounge.

Be aware that Terminal B isn’t instantly related airside to another terminals or concourses. Nonetheless, over choose hours there’s an airside shuttle service from Terminal A and Terminal C, to facilitate connections.

When you’re within the portion of Terminal B with gates B60-68, simply maintain strolling towards the gates.

Simply earlier than you get to gate B60, you’ll see the doorway to the Lufthansa Lounge hidden on the left, proper throughout from the Scandinavian Airways lounge.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark hours

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark is presently open every day from 2:15PM till 9:30PM, coinciding with the Lufthansa Group departures from the terminal. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to anticipate that schedule will evolve over time, based mostly on flight schedules, as these are adjusted seasonally. At all times verify the Star Alliance lounge finder for the most recent.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark entry necessities

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark follows normal Star Alliance lounge entry insurance policies. This implies the lounge is open to Star Alliance first and enterprise class passengers, in addition to Star Alliance Gold members. The primary class eating part is open to Lufthansa and SWISS top quality passengers, and to Miles & Extra HON Circle members.

On this terminal, you’ll discover flights on Lufthansa Group carriers Austrian, Lufthansa, and SWISS, in addition to Star Alliance companions LOT Polish Airways and TAP Air Portugal.

It’s additionally attainable to entry Lufthansa Lounges with choose Amex playing cards. Nonetheless, be aware that this lounge doesn’t belong to Precedence Move.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark seating & structure

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark is roughly 6,500 sq. ft (600 sq. meters), with seating for round 170 company. So it’s a good measurement for an outstation lounge, however not big, and it undoubtedly will get crowded over peak intervals (since some flights are timed shut to 1 one other).

As you enter, the centerpiece of the lounge is the bar space with high-top seating.

Previous the bar space is likely one of the seating zones, which consists of a bunch of eating tables, with a mix of chairs and banquettes.

The buffet space is then off to 1 facet, with a number of extra eating tables, together with some high-top seating at three communal tables.

There’s a quote on the wall. “Flying is greater than reaching a vacation spot. It’s about embracing the journey.” I imply, true, however I can’t say that I discovered that to be notably profound. Whereas we’re on the subject, I like the Dr. Seuss bookmark that’s positioned on the mattress with turndown service in Etihad top quality. “ you’re in love when you’ll be able to’t go to sleep as a result of actuality is lastly higher than your goals.” Cute.

The lounge has some extra seating close to the doorway and on the alternative facet of the bar, with chairs and sofas.

Then the very again of the lounge has a bunch extra seating, and doubtless affords essentially the most general capability. The seating is good and diversified, and damaged up into zones because of the usage of some partitions. There’s the whole lot from couches, to chairs, to little semi-private pods, to banquettes.

The very again nook of the lounge has what seems to be like a convention room desk, although I assume it’s supposed to be extra of a communal workstation (since this area isn’t partitioned off from the remainder of the lounge, so it’s not like you might even have a gathering right here).

The lounge additionally has two personal places of work, which I all the time respect, in case you’re simply searching for some quiet, have a telephone name to make, and many others.

The main draw back to the lounge is the shortage of pure gentle and views. The very again of the lounge kind of has some views of the apron space. In actuality, you’re overlooking a hallway of the immigration facility, so that you’re actually two units of glass shields from outdoors.

All-in-all, it’s a pleasant sufficient area. Whereas I want the decor a bit to Lufthansa’s previous lounge idea, I nonetheless discover the design to be reasonably sterile.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark meals & drinks

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark has one fundamental buffet inside the doorway and to the precise, which has a choice of cold and warm meals.

The chilly choices on the buffet included chilly cuts, cheese, bread rolls, three sorts of salads, sandwiches, and wraps.

There have been additionally 4 sizzling choices, together with charred pork and summer time squash, lengthy grain rice with blistered tomatoes, balsamic roasted greens, and inexperienced beans with tomato confit. I discovered it odd that the one meat possibility was pork, and you then had two sorts of greens and rice. That’s not precisely an enormous choice.

The buffet additionally had a choice of desserts, together with cookies, and small slices of cake.

There was additionally a snack counter with a wide range of sweets.

The lounge had two completely different stations with espresso machines and a choice of tea.

Alcoholic drinks had been accessible from the bar, with a choice of beer, wine, and cocktails. I respect the rising pattern of lounges having correct bars the place bartenders can really put together respectable drinks.

As Lufthansa introduces its new lounge idea, it doesn’t seem to be a lot is being invested within the smooth product… at the very least not but. The meals choice was just about the identical as I’ve seen up to now. I did miss pretzels, that are often a normal providing at Lufthansa lounges.

As I’ve additionally already stated, I believed the new meals choice was odd. The one non-vegetarian possibility was pork, and you then had rice and two sorts of veggies. That’s not precisely spectacular.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark top quality eating

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark has a firstclass part, known as “First Class Wining and Eating.” It’s reserved particularly for Lufthansa and SWISS top quality passengers, in addition to HON Circle members. It’s not really a totally separate lounge, however as an alternative, it’s simply off the principle a part of the lounge, with a little bit of a partition.

I’ve gotta say, I discovered the design of this to be tremendous modern, and clearly the seating was supposed to match the brand new Allegris top quality seat, so I believed that was type of cool. The primary class part has a complete of 9 tables. There are 5 in a row, three in one other row, after which one lonely desk alongside the wall.

Whereas that is supposed primarily for eating, company are additionally welcome to only hang around right here, which is good, on condition that the remainder of the lounge can get completely slammed (I think about there are some conditions the place it could be well mannered to maneuver again to the principle a part of the lounge, if all tables are occupied, however that wasn’t the case throughout my go to).

Shortly after arriving within the top quality eating space, we had been introduced with the menu and drink record, which yow will discover under.

As you’ll be able to see, it’s a fairly small menu, with two appetizers, two fundamental programs, and two desserts. The drink choice is elevated in comparison with the principle a part of the lounge, however nothing strikes me as being notably top quality.

To drink, I made a decision to order a negroni, which hit the spot.

As a starter, I ordered the crab arancini, which was completely large, and portioned extra like a fundamental course.

For the principle course, I had the burrata, pea veloute, and vignarola salad.

Humorous sufficient, for those who introduced me with the above two dishes, I might’ve assumed the burrata was the starter and the arancini was the principle, so don’t ask me to elucidate what’s occurring right here.

My dad, in the meantime, ordered the grazing board with meat and cheese, which was substantial, and he was comfortable he didn’t order a fundamental course past that.

We then determined to separate the 2 desserts, together with the strawberry shortcake with mascarpone cream, and the affogato chocolate mousse.

The service was pleasant, and I’d say the meals was respectable, however nothing particular. I’m not making an attempt to be jaded, however I kind of detest when folks describe the whole lot when flying in premium cabins as being Michelin-star high quality. I’m not even certain they’ve a correct kitchen again there, so I think they’re simply nuking stuff within the again. However accounting for that, I believed it was fairly good.

Lufthansa Lounge Newark loos

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark has a separate males’s room and ladies’s room, situated inside the doorway to the lounge and to the left. The lads’s room options two sinks, two stalls, and one urinal. That’s not precisely an enormous quantity of capability if the lounge is full, however that’s a standard challenge at many lounges.

Sadly the lounge doesn’t have any showers.

Backside line

The Lufthansa Lounge Newark is a fairly good outstation lounge. It’s not big and doesn’t have nice views, however that’s a limitation that’s largely past Lufthansa’s management.

What’s fascinating is that that is additionally the primary lounge with the brand new Allegris design. I’d say I want the brand new design barely over the previous one, however I can’t say that Lufthansa goes for some industry-leading lounge idea, abruptly.

The lounge’s smooth product was effective. I believed the buffet might’ve been a bit higher (notably the new choice), whereas it’s good that there’s a firstclass part with a la carte eating (even when the choice is restricted).

Should you’re connecting from United and flying Star Alliance enterprise class, personally I’d reasonably spend as a lot time as attainable on the United Polaris Lounge, earlier than heading over to Terminal B, as I believe it affords a greater general expertise.

What’s your tackle the Lufthansa Lounge Newark?