The airberlin lounge was only a short walk from my arrival gate, and I found the signage shortly before 7AM. I was a bit surprised that I didn’t have to clear security, as is the norm after getting off a longhaul flight in Europe.
Dusseldorf Airport terminal
Airberlin lounge signage Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge signage Dusseldorf Airport
The airberlin lounge is located on the second floor of the terminal, and can be accessed either via stairs or elevator.
Airberlin lounge elevator Dusseldorf Airport
At the entrance, I was welcomed and directed to the left side, which is where the airberlin lounge is located. To the right is the “Open Sky” lounge, which seems to be the contract lounge used by many of the non-oneworld carriers flying out of Terminal C. Etihad also uses the airberlin lounge, given their joint venture with airberlin.
Airberlin lounge entrance Dusseldorf Airport
Let me say going in that I had very specific expectations of the lounge, even though I had never been in it or seen pictures. I don’t know why, it’s rare for me to have such a vivid image of a lounge I’ve never been to. But for whatever reason — in line with airberlin’s branding — I expected it to be super-bright, modern, and IKEA/plasticy. I guess kind of like an SAS Lounge, only with more white and red.
The reality couldn’t have been further from the truth.
On the plus side, the lounge was completely empty when I arrived, but it couldn’t have had less natural light and been more dated.
The lounge was a decent size and did feature a variety of seating areas, including couches, comfortable chairs, dining areas, high stools, etc.
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
The lounge was “L” shaped, so it was one long room, and once you reached the end there was more seating to the left.
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge Dusseldorf Airport
There were a selection of international newspapers and magazines available.
Airberlin lounge newspapers Dusseldorf Airport
And then there was also a buffet spread.
Airberlin lounge buffet Dusseldorf Airport
It featured yogurt, muesli, packaged cheese and meat, juice, etc.
Airberlin lounge food Dusseldorf Airport
Then there were baskets with day-old croissants and rolls, packaged snacks, and some trail mix and gummy bears.
Airberlin lounge food Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge food Dusseldorf Airport
There was a cappuccino machine which was technologically really impressive. You’d put your mug inside the machine, the door would close, and it would “lift” your mug. I guess it’s the coffee equivalent of a Japanese beer machines. Unfortunately the cappuccino it made tasted watery.
Airberlin lounge cappuccino machine Dusseldorf Airport
There was a decent selection of self serve booze and wine.
Airberlin lounge liquor selection Dusseldorf Airport
As well as “fountain drinks.”
Airberlin lounge drink selection Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge drink selection Dusseldorf Airport
Airberlin lounge champagne Dusseldorf Airport
And a freezer featuring beer and more soft drinks.
Airberlin lounge fridge Dusseldorf Airport
The bathroom wasn’t even located inside the lounge, but rather between lounges right by the food service area. And the bathroom was disgusting, just about on par with the GOL Smiles Lounge at Sao Paulo Airport.
Airberlin lounge bathroom Dusseldorf Airport
Beyond that, the lounge didn’t even have any showers. As far as Wi-Fi goes, you have to register for two hours at a time, and when that’s up you need to sign up for a new account in order to use the Wi-Fi. So you basically have to “cheat” the system in order to get more than two hours of Wi-Fi.
I arrived at the lounge at around 7AM and at 10AM decided to leave the lounge, since I managed to catch up on some work and the terminal almost seemed more pleasant by comparison.
Dusseldorf Airport terminal
As I began to roam the terminal I saw the Etihad crew already sitting in a coffee shop across from the gate having breakfast, which I found to be hilarious. At US airlines, the flight attendants seem to show up just a few minutes before boarding is scheduled to begin, while at Etihad they’re already past security about two hours before departure.
Dusseldorf Airport terminal
I roamed the terminal a bit, and enjoyed looking at some of the traffic at the airport. There was an American 767 bound for Chicago.
American 767 Dusseldorf Airport
And a Turkish A330 bound for Istanbul. I was kind of surprised to learn that Turkish sends A330s to Dusseldorf.
Turkish A330 Dusseldorf Airport
And in the distance was the Etihad A330 that would be taking me to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad A330 Dusseldorf Airport
I decided to check out my departure gate, C40, which was still fairly empty at this point. As I stood there two ground workers came off the jet bridge and walked into the terminal with a German sense of purpose. As they walked past me I overheard them say with a sense of frustration (roughly translated) “the captain is having a coffee break while I’m trying to get his plane ready to go, we must find him.”
Etihad departure gate Dusseldorf Airport
Anyway, I roamed the terminal a bit longer and eventually sat down at a cafe for a real cappuccino.
Then at around 11:10AM I headed back to my departure gate, C40.
Etihad departure gate Dusseldorf Airport
Shortly after arriving boarding began, starting with first and business class.
Etihad A330 Dusseldorf Airport
I was excited to experience Etihad Airways one cabin further back than normal!
Bottom line on airberlin lounge Dusseldorf
I have to say I was really disappointed by airberlin’s lounge. Admittedly they’re a low cost carrier, but I would still expect their lounge to reflect the image they’re trying to portray. Heck, if anything, as a low cost carrier you’d want an especially nice lounge, to convince business travelers to give low cost carriers more of a shot. It’s even more embarrassing when this is the lounge that Etihad Airways — very much a full service airline — offers their passengers.
The lounge was dark, dated, had nasty bathrooms, and didn’t have showers. The food spread wasn’t impressive, but that’s hardly worth complaining about compared to the other issues, in my opinion.
Have you visited the airberlin lounge in Dusseldorf? If so, what was your experience?
Update: Unfortunately, airberlin filed for insolvency in August 2017, so this experience is no longer available.
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.