I arrived at Kigali Airport at around 5AM for my 8AM flight to London (via Brussels). While a lot of airports have extensive security, Kigali Airport takes it to the next level for cars. They "scan" cars in such a way that you have to actually get out of the car, then your car goes…
Continue reading: Review: Pearl Lounge Kigali Airport
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One suggestion in interesting new countries and cities is to post the country along with the city name. I had to read back a few posts and google it to confirm that Kigali is in Rwanda and is actually the capital. I clicked over to the story because I'm not familiar with Kigali.
Made the same 'mistake' in Shanghai on a CA priority boarding. Ended up sitting half an hour in the 'priority' bus till everyone else had boarded and the pre departure service was done with. A funny first to me.
Apparently you plan to go back to Kigali - Excellent news!
Then, please review the 2 brand new RwandAir lounges which were opened 3 weeks after your flights.
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/nas-rwandair-unveil-two-new-lounges-kigali-airport
PS: You would be very surprised to discover what's behind the door, inside the Government Lounge... 🙂
The lounge has certainly had an upgrade since my wife and I were there! Much larger and more modern.
@East African - Please tell me what's inside the government lounge? I'm too curious 😉
Quite a discrepancy on the exchange rates on the drink prices. The 5 dollar drinks get you 800RWF/dollar but the 15 dollar drink only gets you 667RWF/solar.
Any airport staff telling you "later" rather than exactly when does not deserve to be in a customer facing job. The limited refreshments available and slow Wi-Fi should result in anyone paying a fee to enter that lounge should be refunded as it is way below the standards one expects.
One of the worst lounges I've ever visited, by a mile. Very grumpy personnel at the entrance scrutinizing your boarding pass, no smile or welcome. Food is below sub-standard: tasteless, not frsh, not well presented. Thank God beer is free but any other alcoholic drink you have to pay for, except the first free glass of (very mediocre) wine. Seriously? Airlines pay NAS (company from Kuwait who runs this lounge) up to USD 30.00 per business class or high-tier FQTV passenger to allow then access to the lounge and then you still have to pay for you drinks? What a rip off! Last time I visited was September last year for a KQ flight to NBO: it was over-crowded with WB, SN & KL passengers, tables were scattered with empty plates & glasses, all in all an absolute disgrace if you consider the amount of money NAS is getting from the airlines.
If you have a longer (5 hours or so) layover, leave the airport and go into Kigali town. It is a superbly clean and functional city. Go to the market, the genocide memorial or simply to get a Rwandan coffee in Rwanda