- Introduction: Twice To Tokyo
- Review: Delta SkyClub Miami Airport
- Review: Delta A321 First Class
- Review: Alaska Lounge New York JFK Airport
- Review: British Airways Club Lounge New York JFK Airport
- Review: NEW ANA 777 “The Room” Business Class
- Review: Haneda Airport Transit Hotel
- Review: ANA Business Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Review: Lufthansa A350 Business Class
- Review: Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich
- Review: Lufthansa A320neo Business Class
- Review: The Langley, Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel
- Review: NEW ANA 777 “The Suite” First Class
- Review: Andaz Tokyo, A Hyatt Hotel
- Review: Delta One Business Class A330-900neo
I had a roughly 1hr45min layover in Munich, as I was arriving from Tokyo Haneda and connecting to London Heathrow.
I was expecting I wouldn’t be able to review a Lufthansa Lounge, because the last time I passed through Munich the lounge was so full that the only place to sit was on the floor.
My last Lufthansa Business Lounge visit
So I was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t the case this time around, in spite of it being Thursday evening.
Lufthansa has at least four Business Lounges (and on top of that they have Senator Lounges, the Senator Cafe, and First Class Lounges), and I reviewed the one in Concourse H.
In this post:
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich Location
Upon arriving from Tokyo I first was treated to a beautiful sunset in the terminal, and then had to clear transit security.
Beautiful sunset in Munich
Frankly I don’t understand how the minimum connecting time in Munich is just 45 minutes — we had to walk quite a ways upon arrival, then there was about a 15 minute wait at transit security, and then from there it’s potentially quite a walk to connecting flights.
The Lufthansa Senator Lounge in Concourse H is located near gate H24. This is one of the two non-Schengen Business Lounges in the terminal, which I had access to given that London is non-Schengen.
Lufthansa Lounge Munich entrance
I would imagine the Schengen lounges are significantly busier at this time, given all the regional business travelers.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich Hours
The Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich is open daily from 5AM until 10PM, which covers virtually all departures from the airport. With the exception of the Senator Cafe, virtually all the lounges at the airport have similar hours.
How To Access Lufthansa Business Lounges
The Lufthansa Business Lounge is accessible by all Star Alliance business class passengers. For Star Alliance Gold members, Lufthansa has separate Senator Lounges. They’re not necessarily that much better (the drink selection is marginally better, but that’s about it), but rather it’s just a separate space.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich entrance
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich Review
I believe the lounge I visited was the smaller of the non-Schengen Business Lounges in Munich, so while this is a hub airport lounge, it’s definitely not their flagship lounge (not to be confused with Flagship Lounges). 😉 Then again, I was delighted to be in a Lufthansa Business Lounge that wasn’t insanely overcrowded for once.
Lufthansa Lounge Layout & Seating
Inside the main lounge entrance, the Business Lounge was located to the right, while the Senator Lounge was located to the left. The lounge was definitely on the small side, though as I said above, not at all crowded when I visited.
Inside the entrance to the left was some restaurant-style seating, with a booth along the wall, and then a bunch of tables with one seat each on the other side.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
There was some greenery along the center area of the lounge, and then some more restaurant-style seating, along with high-top tables along the other side.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
In the center part of the lounge were some dining tables, along with the buffet.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich buffet
Then in the back were leather chairs in rows, along with a TV on each side of the lounge.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
There were also a variety of newspapers along one of the walls.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich seating
The bathrooms and showers were outside the entrance to the Business Lounge, so that they could be shared between the Business Lounge and Senator Lounge areas.
Lufthansa Business Lounge Munich bathrooms
The lounge lacked views and natural light. There were a few windows in the center part of the lounge, but they didn’t even have views.
The Wi-Fi in the lounge was fast and easy to use, so I spent about 45 minutes in the lounge working.
Overall it wasn’t exactly the most beautiful lounge I’ve ever been to, but I appreciated how quiet it was.
Lufthansa Lounge Food & Drinks
This is the area where the lounge impressed me, because the food and drink selection seemed above average for sure.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich drinks
To drink, there was a soda fountain, water, juice, an espresso machine, and self serve beer, wine, and liquor.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich drinks
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich drinks
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich drinks
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich drinks
The food selection in particular impressed me, with chips and olives, several types of salads, three hot dishes, two soups, a variety of bread, and all kinds of desserts.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
While perhaps unnecessary, I thought the selection of desserts along the center island of the buffet area was cute, as there were marshmallows, M&Ms, and all kinds of other sugary treats.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
There were also cookies, cake, muffins, and whole fruit.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Since I was in Germany, I couldn’t resist having a delicious pretzel.
Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Munich food
Lufthansa Lounge Munich Bottom Line
With the exception of Lufthansa’s phenomenal first class lounges, I have very low expectations of Lufthansa’s lounges. With that in mind, this lounge impressed me. While it wasn’t anything to get excited about, at least it was quiet, and the food and drink selection exceeded my expectations.
If you’ve visited a Lufthansa Business Lounge, what was your experience like?
I guess I got really lucky during my last visit to MUC, coming in on a flight from JFK and connecting to VIE. It took me a whole 10 min to get from the arriving gate to the nearest LH Business Lounge to my departing gate. Granted it was all in the T2 Satellite but did contain a non-Schengen to Schengen switch (passport control).
This was around 7am and the LH Business Lounge (has Amex...
I guess I got really lucky during my last visit to MUC, coming in on a flight from JFK and connecting to VIE. It took me a whole 10 min to get from the arriving gate to the nearest LH Business Lounge to my departing gate. Granted it was all in the T2 Satellite but did contain a non-Schengen to Schengen switch (passport control).
This was around 7am and the LH Business Lounge (has Amex access) was indeed quite busy. I had to share a high table for six with a few other people.
Senator Lounge has a barista and much better coffee. Everything else seems pretty similar.
@Lukas
Not difficult but you have to exit and walk outside for maybe 10 minutes. The two terminals are about 650m apart
I was in the Senator Lounge in FRA B-concourse this morning (8:00 - 9:30), and I found it to be very relaxing. Busy, but not crowded at all. Certainly not like the mad-house United Clubs at EWR or MLLs at YYZ or YVR. Loved the candy bar.
@UGC
Thanks! Is it difficult to change terminals at MUC?
for me there is no difference between business class lounge and senator - food and drinks are very similar, both crowded; if no connecting flight better to skip the lounge visit - no reason to use it
@Lukas
watch out that TK is using Terminal 1 so you need to switch between terminals...which is something I would not like to do in MUC
Originally from Munich, so go back quite often to visit my old Heimat (and folks). Fairly new to the business class points game, so in the past usually have flown economy but took my first business class trip out of Munich back to Boston with LH during the summer. Really liked this lounge. Wasn't crowded (at all) when I visited and was really impressed with the food and drink options (though points of comparisons are...
Originally from Munich, so go back quite often to visit my old Heimat (and folks). Fairly new to the business class points game, so in the past usually have flown economy but took my first business class trip out of Munich back to Boston with LH during the summer. Really liked this lounge. Wasn't crowded (at all) when I visited and was really impressed with the food and drink options (though points of comparisons are limited, Amex Platinum, British Airways and Air France lounges in Boston, Iberia lounge in Madrid and several Delta lounges). No complaints here!
Lucky has really done an astonishing number of reviews. I have a random business class flight transiting through Munich. Lucky reviewed the exact flight a few years ago, and now I know what to expect at this lounge.
I’ve transfered in MUC quite a few times, but always with pretty tight LH-to-LH connections, so I’ve never really had time to try these lounges. Am I the only one who dislikes LH’s boring lounge design..? Anyway, I’ll soon be able to try them and was wondering if anyone has some input on which lounge(s) I should visit in MUC? I’ll have a 4,5 hour layover from IST to ARN, the first leg being in...
I’ve transfered in MUC quite a few times, but always with pretty tight LH-to-LH connections, so I’ve never really had time to try these lounges. Am I the only one who dislikes LH’s boring lounge design..? Anyway, I’ll soon be able to try them and was wondering if anyone has some input on which lounge(s) I should visit in MUC? I’ll have a 4,5 hour layover from IST to ARN, the first leg being in TK business and the second in LH business. First flight arrives late afternoon. I have star gold, so I can access the senator lounges, if that makes a difference.
You seem to be extremely impressed with the food and drink selection here, but I don't really see what is so special. Looks like very typical Lufthansa lounge spread. Not sure what you were surprised to find...
Slightly off topic, But last week I was at a LH lounge in FRA B and I was unimpressed. I will admit I have no status and was travelling economy with family. Access was via AMEX PLAT and limited to only 1-B lounges at FRA. I can tell you that it was totally worthless and then entailed a 45 minute trek to Z gates towards JFK. I really wonder what the AMEX/ LH rationale was to offer only the smallish 1-B lounges to Platinum.
Unless you are HON, Munich is always to be preferred when flying LH. And, indeed, best lounges are those in the satellite.
But when you’re HON, transfer in FRA is (almost) always a breeze. ;-)
@Weymar: no security checks when coming from “trusted” countries, i.e. EU and US/Canada. All others must be checked again...
Transit Security? I don't recall going through any sort of security, customs, or immigration when I transited at Munich. Does it depend on which country you're coming from or going to? My origin and destination were different than yours (Coming from Denver and continuing to Bangkok) but I would imagine any itinerary involving the US would have the strictest security rules.
Based in Munich i've visited the business lounges in the mornings and midday till late afternoon. Never have i found them to be overcrowded to be honest.
The satellite senator lounges are accessible when you have an Amex platinum card and flying economy LH. These i find nicer than those in the main terminal 2.
Either way i do find the lounges at MUC to be nicer than FRA.
I might be...
Based in Munich i've visited the business lounges in the mornings and midday till late afternoon. Never have i found them to be overcrowded to be honest.
The satellite senator lounges are accessible when you have an Amex platinum card and flying economy LH. These i find nicer than those in the main terminal 2.
Either way i do find the lounges at MUC to be nicer than FRA.
I might be biased but i find it a joy to travel from MUC compared to when FRA was my main airport when i was based in Mainz.
@Rafal - It's only 30k to renew now, which makes it even easier. I guess unlike most people, I actually fly with them from time to time. Even got upgraded to business last time. That said, some of the other Star Alliance airlines seems to treat Asiana *G members as second class in my experience. I've also found it nigh on impossible to use my miles for anything. Booked in PE with LH by OZ is telling me I need to be in Y or B to upgrade...
I used to have FTL from LH for many years, but switched to Asiana - 40k miles gives me Star Alliance Gold for 4 years, as opposed to Silver for two years (with LH). The benefits (lounges across the world, with companion + priority check-in / security / boarding) are incomparable to FTL, so I see no point in being loyal to a program that is strictly worse (even when flying LH).
I’m a Lufthansa Senator with homebase in Munich (Just upgraded from frequent traveller in 2019).
The business and senator lounges are indeed both crazily overcrowded during the business traveller peak hours in the mornings and late afternoons. During the other times they are totally fine though, and I enjoy them a lot to work, relax and have drinks.
The major differences between the business and senator lounges are some sen ones do have...
I’m a Lufthansa Senator with homebase in Munich (Just upgraded from frequent traveller in 2019).
The business and senator lounges are indeed both crazily overcrowded during the business traveller peak hours in the mornings and late afternoons. During the other times they are totally fine though, and I enjoy them a lot to work, relax and have drinks.
The major differences between the business and senator lounges are some sen ones do have a bar with bartender/barista and even some more food options. The differences got less when they upgraded the food in the business lounges just one or two years ago, before there were only small snacks.
Personally I don’t even need a served bar as I prefer to pour my drinks by myself, but the sen lounge food is really decent lately.
The lounges in the satellite of T2 have really nice apron views, the ones in the main building have almost no daylight at all as you experienced.
The Lufthansa lounges in Munich are still much better than in Frankfurt where chaos and overcrowding is the normal state, in Munich it “only” happens in the peak times (still too often and it’s super annoying).
And yes, sadly there are a lot of “cheap” Star Alliance gold people hanging out there (qualified through Aegean, Ethiopian etc.), while my qualification took me 100k Status miles...
Next time you should totally try the lounges in the satellite terminal. They are much quieter and at least the Senator one has great views. Weirdly, the catering is a bit different, too, again in favor of the satellite ones. It may sound like a trek, but it takes <10 minutes each direction from H to the satellite terminal lounges (and no security).
Would be curious to hear from the LH SEN/HON members - do you observe more UA *G / other Star airline *G in your Senator lounges vs. actual LH pax?
Have to think one of these years that *G will be downgraded to the Biz lounges.
christ that first photo is my personal hell. if everyone has lounge access then what's the point?
I live in Munich, just visited this lounge a few weeks ago. The one near the G departures (your first picture) is definitely my favorite in München. I have been in both the business and senator lounges in München, and I agree, they are pretty much the same, just different spaces. But I still enjoy them, even when they are crowded ;)
For a non stressed transfer you need atleaat 2h between flights.
I've been a "Frequent Traveller" with Miles & More for over a decade (which translates to 35,000 status miles) and finally, in November, got over the hump (because there are no status levels in between 35,000 and 100,000) to Senator status (100,000 status miles) -- each of which is good for two years -- not one (although this is changing in a year's time if enough people do not complain). The reason I moved my...
I've been a "Frequent Traveller" with Miles & More for over a decade (which translates to 35,000 status miles) and finally, in November, got over the hump (because there are no status levels in between 35,000 and 100,000) to Senator status (100,000 status miles) -- each of which is good for two years -- not one (although this is changing in a year's time if enough people do not complain). The reason I moved my Star Alliance earning miles to Miles & More (from United) is because the status was good for two years and not one -- and if you earn that status this year -- you'll be grandfathered for the 2nd year even though the new rules are going to go into place. Both of these Miles & More cards will give you access to Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian lounges -- all of which serve decent meals and nearly all of which have showers. I've been looking forward to moving up to the Senator lounges for over a decade now and so was disappointed by Ben's comment above that there are few differences (hopefully something has changed since he was last there).