Here’s my review of the Aspire Lounge, also known as Lounge 26, in Amsterdam in two words: don’t bother.
(and no, this is not a review of the Apire Lounge between Apsire Lounge 25 and 27…it’s just the way that Amsterdam Schiphol numbers its lounges on airport signage).
Aspire Lounge 26 Amsterdam Review (AMS)
This lounge is the only Priority Pass lounge in the Schengen Area of Amsterdam Terminal 1. It is also used as a premium cabin lounge for many carriers, including Finnair (which I was flying to Helsinki). It is open daily from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Priority Pass guests can access the lounge up to three hours before departure and may be turned away when the lounge gets very crowded.
It’s located right next door to the Star Alliance Lounge and you’ll often find a line outside the door. It’s a large lounge, but expect intense crowds throughout the day.
Seating is one large room. Thankfully, I had no trouble finding a chair but the lounge pictures below are before it got really crowded.
By the time I left, there was a huge line outside the door.
Wi-Fi internet is available and functional, but I was working off my battery since many seats do not have power ports within reach and those that did were all occupied.
In terms of food and drinks, a breakfast buffet included omelets, pancakes, pumpkin soup (for breakfast in February…), fruit, yogurt, cereals, sliced meat and cheese, bread rolls, and croissants.
The beverage selection included fruit juices and water dispensed by a machine, tea, coffee, a Coke Freestyle machine, and a selection of (lower shelf) wine and spirits. Heineken beer was also on tap.
I did not eat anything ahead of my flight, still full from my inbound Cathay Pacific flight.
This lounge has a book exchange, which is a concept I love, especially in an era in which many folks don’t even read physical books or newspapers any longer.
Restrooms and shower suites are available. I only saw a single shower suite and it was occupied, so I do not have any pictures inside it.
The gate area is so bad at AMS that this may be the better alternative (that’s not always the case of lounges like this), but this was a disappointing and crowded lounge. I would never arrive early to use this facility.
> Read More: Star Alliance Lounge Amsterdam (AMS) Review
Tried to use this lounge when I flew Jet Blue Mint last year but the line and waiting list was so long. Wish JB had the AA alliance given I am Ex Plat One World but could not use since I was not on a one world airline.
Orher than the crowd and lack of power power ports, it doesn’t seem *that* bad. Underwhelming, maybe, but certainly not the worst PP lounge out tbere.
I used this lounge once before the pandemic and this actually looks like a slight improvement in terms of food offerings, and the carpeting/furniture also seems to have been modernized a little bit from what I remember.
AMS needs more lounges !!! It’s the only issue with transiting through Amsterdam on a flight that’s not sky team