Kenya Airways has two lounges at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
- The Pride Lounge, which is their flagship lounge, located in Terminal 1A, near gate 17
- The Simba Lounge, which is their secondary lounge, located in Terminal 1A, near the Kenya Airways service center
It was quite a walk from the Turkish Lounge to the Kenya Airways Pride Lounge, and going to it required passing through security. That’s because in the low gate numbers security is at every gate, while at the high gate numbers there’s a single security checkpoint, so I had to go through that to access the lounge.
Nairobi Airport terminal
Once through security I walked down the hall and turned right, which is probably the most modern part of the terminal.
Nairobi Airport terminal
The entrance to the lounge was on the right, near gate 17.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge
The Pride Lounge is up a level from the main terminal, and can be reached using an elevator.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge elevator
There I presented my RwandAir boarding pass. The Kenya Airways Lounge is open to all SkyTeam business class and SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers, plus premium passengers on Air Mauritius, Precision Air, and RwandAir. The lounge is open daily from 5AM until midnight.
This lounge was only recently renovated, and is especially nice in comparison to the rest of the airport, in my opinion.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge entrance
I loved the nature and destination themed art and wallpaper throughout the lounge.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge entrance
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge art
The lounge is quite large. Just inside the entrance and to the left is a bunch of pretty traditional lounge seating. I loved the angled ceiling, and how it almost felt like a loft.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge seating
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge seating
Kenya Airways Business Lounge seating
Kenya Airways Business Lounge seating
Further into the lounge was a bench along the wall.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge seating
Then there were a bunch of coffee tables with chairs around them.
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge seating
Kenya Airways Pride Lounge seating
There was the large dining area, which had tables mostly with two seats each.
Kenya Airways Business Lounge dining area
Kenya Airways Business Lounge dining area
Then in the back of the lounge was even more seating.
Kenya Airways Business Lounge seating
While I thought the lounge was beautifully designed, the food selection was a bit underwhelming, given that this is their flagship lounge.
I’d say the selection was worse than what was on offer at the Turkish Airlines Lounge. Cold options included just a few types of salads and fruit, and then there were five hot dishes.
Kenya Airways Business Lounge buffet
Kenya Airways Business Lounge buffet
Kenya Airways Business Lounge buffet
The drink selection included a soda fountain, three types of liquor, wine, and beer.
Kenya Airways Business Lounge soda & water
Kenya Airways Business Lounge liquor selection
Kenya Airways Business Lounge drinks
While there was a proper espresso machine, it didn’t seem to be staffed.
Kenya Airways Business Lounge coffee
I was in the lounge during a pretty off peak time, so it’s possible that maybe they spruce up the food and drink selection at nights, before most of their premium routes to Europe and New York?
The lounge also has showers and a nap area. There were people in the nap area, so I didn’t feel comfortable photographing that. Furthermore, the two showers were inside the mens restroom, and I didn’t really feel comfortable taking pictures inside the heavily trafficked bathroom.
Kenya Airways Lounge bottom line
Kenya Airways’ Pride Lounge is a nice space, especially by African lounge standards, since the continent doesn’t exactly excel with lounges and airports. The lounge has several distinct seating zones, and I love the travel and nature themed design. All in all, not the best airport lounge in the world, but definitely where I’d rather spend my time here.
However, for Kenya Airways’ premier lounge, I did think the food and drink spread was quite disappointing, not even on par with the Turkish Airlines Lounge.
And this was definitely the nicer of the two Kenya Airways Lounges at the airport… stay tuned for that.
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