Review: Riga Airport Lounge

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Our flight from Riga to Frankfurt was scheduled to depart at 6:05AM. We got to the airport shortly before 5AM, and were through security in no time. While Riga Airport isn’t quite as cute as Tallinn Airport, it’s still a reasonably nice facility.

Riga Airport check-in hall

Security took all of two minutes, and once through we followed the signage to the Primeclass Lounge, which is the airport’s primary lounge. The lounge is located in Concourse E, near gate B1, on the third floor. The walk from security to there took about five minutes.

Riga Airport terminal

We had no trouble finding the lounge, which could be accessed either via stairs or an elevator.

Stairs to Riga Airport Lounge

Riga Airport Lounge stairs

As you can see based on the below sign, this lounge is used by just about all airlines for their premium passengers. Since we were flying Lufthansa business class, we had access to the lounge on account of that.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge exterior

However, this lounge also belongs to Priority Pass, so if you’re a Priority Pass member you could use this lounge if you hold any credit card with lounge access. As a reminder, the following are some of the most popular US credit cards that come with Priority Pass memberships (I’ve also listed the respective guesting privileges):

The lounge is open daily from 5AM until midnight, and we got there right as it opened, just over 30 minutes before our flight was scheduled to board.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge exterior

At the reception desk our boarding passes were scanned by a receptionist, who informed us that there wouldn’t be a boarding call for our flight.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge reception

There was a big Lufthansa 747 model airplane near reception. I of course loved that, but found the airline and plane selection a bit odd for a lounge in Riga.

Riga Airport Lounge airplane model

The lounge was surprisingly large, and consisted of one main room. There were rows of seats set up along two aisles.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge seating

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge seating

While there were some small chairs and tables in two rows, by the windows were more comfortable seating areas.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge seating

The buffet and bar were located inside the lounge and to the left.

Riga Airport Lounge

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

There were self serve soft drinks, coffee, tea, juice, and water.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge coffee machine

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

In terms of food, cold options included salad, cold cuts, cookies, pretzels, cereal, and fresh fruit.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

Then there were three hot options — omelets with cream cheese, “yeast pancakes,” and fried bacon.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge buffet

At the far end of the lounge was a bar, which had a self serve wine and liquor selection (though it didn’t seem terribly popular at 5AM).

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge bar

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge bar

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge bar

Back towards the entrance was a selection of magazines and newspapers.

Riga Airport Primeclass Lounge magazines & newspapers

Right next to reception by the entrance was a small area with some more seating and TV.

Riga Airport Lounge seating

Next to that were the bathrooms and showers.

Riga Airport Lounge restrooms

The bathrooms were clean and fairly modern, though I didn’t have a chance to check out the showers.

Riga Airport Lounge restrooms

I grabbed a cup of coffee and briefly connected to the airport Wi-Fi network, and about 20 minutes later we headed to our departure gate to Frankfurt, which was B5. This was just a very short walk away.

Riga Airport terminal

Lufthansa departure gate Riga

There boarding started at 5:35AM for our flight to Frankfurt.

Riga Primeclass Lounge bottom line

I only spent about 20 minutes in the Primeclass Lounge Riga, but found it to be nicer than I was expecting. The lounge is spacious and has a decent breakfast and self serve drink selection. I can’t imagine this lounge ever completely fills up, so this is a good place to kill some time at the airport.

I won’t be writing a review of the Lufthansa flight from Riga to Frankfurt, since I reviewed my outbound flight from Frankfurt to Tallinn, and there wasn’t much to report on here.

In the next installment I’ll pick up in Frankfurt.

The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).