The SAS Gold lounge in the international zone of Oslo airport is very pretty and pleasant, and I almost told you that the food and beverage offer was superior to that of other SAS lounges. But only almost…
It’s time to get down to business, and after a short warm-up that took me from Paris to Oslo, I’m now on my way to Vietnam, via Istanbul. Before embarking, I spent some time in the SAS Gold lounge.
You’ll find a summary of the articles about this vacation in Vietnam at the bottom of the page.
Location of the lounge
It’s in the international part of the terminal, so I’d like to offer a few explanations.
Norway is not a member of the EU, and Oslo airport is not organized as a Schengen/non-Schengen airport.
There’s a domestic area with its own lounge, and an international area where this lounge is located. This zone is itself divided into two: international Schengen (without passport control) and international non-Schengen (with passport control).
The lounge is in the Schengen area, on the second floor above the shopping area. Il faudra donc passer l’immigration en sortant du salon si vous partez, comme c’est mon cas, vers une destination hors espace Schengen.
One last detail: like many airports, SAS has a business lounge and a Gold lounge. You enter through the business lounge and cross over to the gold lounge.
Access to the lounge
The Gold lounge is open to Gold and Diamond members of the Eurobonus frequent flyer program, as well as holders of Star Alliance Gold status with an Alliance member airline.
One day, the Star Alliance gold sign will be replaced by “Skyteam Elite Plus”, and it already makes me cry.
Lounge layout
As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by a large buffet.
Then there are different areas with chairs, sofas and tables in different configurations, so that everyone can find something to suit their particular use of the space.
There are also open workspaces and closed offices and phone booths.
The lounge does not overlook the exterior, but benefits from the terminal’s large bay windows.
An SAS lounge that looks…like an SAS lounge. Wood, soothing tones, very comfortable and pleasant.
Catering
Here again we have a typical SAS offer.
Salads:
Vegetables:
Chips and pretzels…
Apples and cakes.
A classic SAS product: a highly appetizing butter…
And, exceptionally, a hot dish: chicken wings!
I was going to say that for once there is a hot dish, however modest, in a SAS lounge but just as I was about to help myself they were replaced by pancakes…. Missed again!
And we’ll finish with another SAS classic: cheese and its typical, practical slicing machine.
Drinks include bottled beers, fruit juices and wine.
The usual soft drink fountain.
And a fine selection of strong spirits.
Once again, this lounge comes as no surprise when you consider the airline’s lounges: a fairly solid beverage offer, and a food offer that is frugal to say the least. I almost got excited about the chicken wings (to tell you how little I need…) but it was just 5 minutes.
Facilities
The lounge has toilets, desks and rest areas, but no showers.
Atmosphere
Calm despite the crowds.
Bottom line
As always at SAS: a beautiful lounge but too basic a catering offer.
The articles about this vacation in Vietnam
