KLM Crowne Lounge 52 (Non-Schengen), Amsterdam Schiphol: Nothingness

In transit in Amsterdam before returning to Paris, I make my way to KLM’s usual infamous lounge 25, located in the Schengen zone.

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Flight	Air France Business, Paris-Stockholm, Airbus A318
2	Hotel	Courtyard Marriott Stockholm, Studio Suite
3	Lounge	American Express Centurion Lounge, Stockholm Arlanda
4	Flight	KLM Economy Comfort, Stockholm-Paris, Boeing 737-700
5	Lounge	KLM Crowne Lounge 52 (Non-Schengen), Amsterdam Schiphol
6	Flight	Air France Economy, Amsterdam-Paris, Airbus A320-100

Today’s itinerary

Closed door at the *Crowne Lounge* Schengen, also known as Lounge 25

Nevertheless, renovation is well underway

The *Star Alliance* lounge, located in the Schengen zone, is also closed.

Same for the Aspire lounge (accessible with Priority Pass): closed

However, I find the door closed and have to go into the non-Schengen zone to reach lounge 52, KLM’s new Flagship lounge, passing immigration and then an additional security check at COVID-19 time.

Location

The lounge is located in the middle of the non-Schengen boarding areas, and is accessible to all SkyTeam Elite Plus or Business passengers on alliance airlines.

How to get to the lounge, still not clearly numbered at Schiphol

The welcome is warm but a little dehumanized, as you have to scan your boarding pass yourself at the entrance.

The lounge remains open despite very low visitor numbers

I still find it hard to understand why AMS insists on numbering the lounges, which is not at all meaningful for the average passenger.

Lounge design

The design of the lounge is very nice, I’m even impressed by the beauty of the place.

Electronic help desks are located in the lounge (different from the entrance access desks).

The fact that there are only a dozen or so passengers in this huge space inevitably contributes to the very pleasant atmosphere.

The colors are questionable, but the seat is quite comfortable

Work areas (left) with group tables sit alongside relaxation areas, spaced out here because of the COVID-19 crisis.

The decoration is quite successful, with carefully chosen accessories (here, the lamps).

The collective tables are well-designed, but not very COVID-compatible.

The blue light is still very pleasant in second-daylight areas.

Catering

There will be no catering on offer, due to COVID-19. Only water is available in dispensers, as well as a coffee machine and a hot water dispenser for tea.