I was dropped off at Terminal 1 at 6:40AM and headed towards the B check-in hall, where TAM check-in is located. I could easily find the queues for every type of passenger (online check-in, business class, economy class, ticket sales, etc.), but couldn’t for the life of me find first class check-in.
Continue reading: Review: TAM First Class Lounge Sao Paulo Airport
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Pretty sure they do have showers there at the TAM First class lounge, maybe you need to ask to use them/find them. I saw a Brazilian blogger's review that included a shower.
Since this seems to be the only worthwhile lounge at GRU, is there a way to get inside without a TAM F ticket?
@ Ivan Y -- Unfortunately you need a Star Alliance first class ticket, there's no other way I know of to get in.
Now that TAM have joined Oneworld. Do the Star Alliance carriers flying into GRU still use their lounges? Or are *A flyers confined to the 3rd party lounge offerings.
@ Jonas -- OMG, totally forgot they joined OneWorld. Does this mean oneworld Emerald members can now use the TAM first class lounge when flying any oneworld carrier, even if not in first class?!
@ Jonas -- Crap, looked into it, and unfortunately per the oneworld first class lounge access policy, the TAM first class lounge doesn't allow Emeralds:
"TAM First Class Lounge in Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport is excluded."
@ Brazilflyer @ Travis -- Thanks for the heads up, went ahead and updated the post.
My mind immediately jumped to JJ being in OW now, and looking how small that lounge is there's absolutely no way it could accommodate the rush of Emeralds. Maybe they will be forced by OW to find a larger space?
Hello Ben!
This week there's a new VIP lounge at Guarulhos Airport which is quite exclusive. It's called "Villa GRU". It costs around USD380 (or R$800,00) and can manage just 30 people.
You should try it next time!
I always wonder about pianos in public spaces. Are they intended to be played? Does anyone freak out if they are? Sometimes I've been tempted to play one but it felt weird to do so.
I've been at this lounge several times as a *A First passenger and recently as an AA First passenger:
The lounge is not available to Emeralds (obviously because of space concerns), but is available to ALL OW First flyers -- I went in flying AA First.
The piano is very much used. There is a "cougar" that comes in and plays in for 20 minutes at a time, alternating between this and the Executiva lounge. I say cougar, because she's of advanced age (still attractive for that age) and hit on me at least a couple of times. 🙂
@Lucky -- You should know that they have real Champagne. They drag their feet in bringing it out, but if you ask they will happily do so. I believe they serve a Deutz brut variety, I forget which one. Not a very expensive bottle, but true champers nonetheless.
@Corky I think they should be played and people should gather around and sing loudly. Especially when it's next to someone on the phone.
Also, I am curious about that special needs lift up the stairs. Is it the photo or will they have to move the couch to accommodate?
It is so amusing that TAM considers is F lounge at GRU so exquisite that only F customers have access ... LOL ... Have they ever been to Qatar's lounge at London LHR T4????? Have they ever been to British Airways Galleries First at LHR T5????
Give me a break!
http://www.viajenaviagem.com/2014/05/villa-gru-sala-vip-guarulhos
http://www.falandodeviagem.com.br/viewtopic.php?t=8793
Not quite a FCT, but close. They have car service pick you up from the plane and everything.
$300+ for access though. Says only 20 people/day can access.
Don't think you can say "Sao Paulo Airport quite possibly has the world’s worst airline lounges" anymore 🙂 Doubt you'll be heading there anytime soon, but would be great to see a review!
You, of course, know that there is a brand new international terminal at GRU now. Way, way above the standards of the old terminals.