Review: Riga Airport Lounge

Review: Riga Airport Lounge

9


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):

2 guests, plus authorized users $0 per authorized user
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
2 guests, plus authorized users $75 per authorized user
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Chase Sapphire Reserve®
2 guests, plus authorized users $195 per authorized user (Rates & Fees) (Enrollment required)
The Platinum Card® from American Express The Platinum Card® from American Express
2 guests, plus authorized users $300 per authorized user (Rates & Fees) (Enrollment required)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
2 guests No authorized user access
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

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).

Conversations (9)
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.
Type your response here.

If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Anyone can comment, and your email address will not be published. Register to save your unique username and earn special OMAAT reputation perks!

  1. Michael Guest

    I was there with My Mother on our trip around the Baltics and I found it to be a brilliant small lounge, the attendants to be very helpful and the view good for an airplane watcher like me.

    So much better than Finnairs crap offering in Helsinki, Finnair could take a leaf out of the way it is done in Riga.

  2. Jordan Guest

    Was also there in June. Great airport and great lounge!

  3. Jonathan New Member

    I was there in July and believe me, it can get pretty full.

  4. Stanley Diamond

    So nice to see that this lounge is also accessible by DragonPass members outside of Asia as I deem DragonPass more so for the airline and train lounges in Asia.

  5. Real Alpha Male Guest

    Went there twice and I must say the Lounge attendants were particularly attractive!

  6. dale Guest

    can't believe you didn't include a photo of the large provocative artworks at the far end, just visible in your title photo ... they seemed so very oddly fitting for that unique spot in the world

  7. Traveloften Guest

    Great lounge. One of the best Priority Pass lounges in Europe.

  8. echino Diamond

    I hope you tried Riga Black Balsam!

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Michael Guest

I was there with My Mother on our trip around the Baltics and I found it to be a brilliant small lounge, the attendants to be very helpful and the view good for an airplane watcher like me. So much better than Finnairs crap offering in Helsinki, Finnair could take a leaf out of the way it is done in Riga.

0
Jordan Guest

Was also there in June. Great airport and great lounge!

0
Jonathan New Member

I was there in July and believe me, it can get pretty full.

0
Meet Ben Schlappig, OMAAT Founder
5,163,247 Miles Traveled

32,614,600 Words Written

35,045 Posts Published

Keep Exploring OMAAT
  • February 13, 2024
  • Ben Schlappig
26
Which Airline Lounges Have Proper Bedrooms?
  • August 19, 2013
  • Ben Schlappig
43
Review: EVA Air Infinity Lounge Taipei