Skyteam lounge at Vancouver airport is still in reduced service due to covid

This is the first Skyteam alliance lounge I have visited. As I have already had a chance to explain, these lounges are supported by all the carriers that call at this airport and participate in this alliance. I have been through several airports before where there was one of these lounges, but I have never had the opportunity to enter one until today.

The entrance to the Skyteam lounge in Istanbul.

Although I hold Platinum status with Air France and Executive with ITA Airways when I happened to Istanbul I was flying Turkish Airlines. On this trip to Sydney I was always flying Star Alliance, but the lounge was still closed post covid-19.

Access

Granting me access this time was the Priority Pass card, the one you get for free with American Express Platinum. Many lounges in recent months have opened to holders of these cards to earn something from individual user visits, a way to make up for the lack of passengers. Star Alliance has also done this in some of its lounges such as the one in Rome Fiumicino and Buenos Aires.

This is not the case, since since always Skyteam decided to open this lounge also to Priority Pass and Dragon Pass.

Alternatively, you can gain access if you travel with a Skyteam carrier in business or have at least Elite+ status. Of course, there is also the option of subscribing to a annual subscription without having a credit card, in this case you have many more advantages because the card also opens the door to restaurants and spas scattered halfway around the world.

PP guests have a 4-hour stay limit, while ST guests can stay as long as they want before their flight.

Location

The lounge is located on the opposite side from the other waiting rooms in the international terminal in the gate 53 area, access is from the departure floor, but the lounge is on the upper floor.

The lounge

It is not huge and has an irregular shape full of curves, but it is the fact that it is open at the terminal that makes it bright and makes it look bigger than it really is.

What is evident is that it is still in half service, many areas are precluded or inaccessible.

Others simply unused such as the area housing what looked like a bar, with the wine bottle tapper.

Food & Beverage

I stopped by at breakfast time, and the offering was the classic savory breakfast (scrambled eggs and toast).

The buffet no longer exists, and you are served by staff except for salads.

In addition to this, an express kitchen is offered that prepares a variety of dishes from the menu. From sandwiches to noodles, a more than sufficient proposal and a very nice staff.

In conclusion

A lounge branded Skyteam but open to all Priority Pass holders is more unique than rare: not many carriers from this alliance fly here so it is a smart choice to amortize rent and operating costs.

I would like to go through it again "post covid" and see at full capacity how the atmosphere and service provided changes.

• Skyteam

The verdict

The fact that it is open to Priority Pass holders gives half a point on the overall evaluation. It's just too bad that many things are still closed due to covid. It is nice and bright, surely at full service it must be much more interesting than when I visited. Excellent express food

6.5

Rated Location

7

F&B

6.5

Services

6

Pro

• Express cooking
• Bright

Against

• It is not very big
• Many things are still churches for covid