Goodbye Monteverdi at Malpensa, if you have Priority Pass (probably) you will enter only this lounge
Review Sforza lounge at Malpensa airport: really sad
MXP
For some time now, passengers departing from Malpensa, who do not travel business class or lack status are seen bouncing for operational reasons from the Monteverdi Hall to the Sforza Hall.
In this article:
Unlike in the Not Schengen where today there are 4 lounges (which I have already reviewed all of them), in the A gate area there are mainly two lounges available: Monteverdi and the Lufthansa hall. The Sforza enters service in support of the Monteverdi when the Monteverdi reaches full capacity, or so it should be.
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Because when, Monday afternoon, I entered the Monteverdi was practically empty and yet at the foot of the escalator was the sign inviting Priority Pass and Lounge Key holders to head for the Sforza, and passengers who distractedly failed to notice the directions were politely bounced and asked to go two floors below.
In recent days we have asked SEA for clarification and have been confirmed that for operational reasons it is possible for this to happen and the same thing is explained within the Priority Pass app.
So I decided to go and see this lounge.
Location
We are one floor below the gates, in a vent area of the terminal. Here I don't think there are doors for bus boarding, just chairs where you can wait for your flight.
In addition to bathrooms there is precisely the Sforza Hall. It is not really a lounge, in fact the walls do not close from sky to ground it is like a high fence that isolates from the rest of the area.
Access
All passengers traveling in economy with a Priority pass or Lounge Key card are welcomed here, as well as those traveling in business class.
The hall
#spoileralert is so sad, it's like when in your house you salvage a makeshift room in the basement, yes sure you put light and nice furniture in it, but you're still in the basement.
It's an enclosed space set up with some chairs and armchairs. Nothing fancy, let's say it's a waiting room like you might find in a modern doctor's office. Of course not being completely isolated from the rest of the area if there is noise outside the fence this is also heard inside the lounge.
There is nothing but seating, given the setup there are not even many power outlets. There are no quieter areas, much less isolated areas.
On the opposite side from where you enter is the buffet area, which is very small compared to what is offered upstairs. I would venture to say. Is also lower than the Alda Merini room at Terminal 2., the one used by easyJet, but I haven't got into it yet Since it is also accessible with Priorit pass.
Food & Beverage
It is basically what is offered above, but much less. The catering of the SEA-operated independent lounges between Linate and Malpensa has never left me with a particular memory, although it has improved in the utlest period compared to the post-pandemic period.
The offer here is very very basic in all respects. C's a mini-selection of what is offered at Monteverdi And the reason is quickly stated: companies pay more for their lounge passengers than what Priority pass pays for each user's entry.
Perhaps only the drink selection is not as sacrificed, although the number of bottles and vairetà is definitely less than that of other legacy lounges
In conclusion
Today the Monteverdi was by no means crowded, certainly perhaps it was also in anticipation of the potential number of departing passengers on evening flights, but I think this will become a practice.
Open the Sforza, with minimal effort, send passengers down here who pay less and keep those who pay more comfortable. Which then it is fair to remember, it is practically never the passenger who pays.
Pro
- There is
Against
- No windows
- Gastronomic offerings
- Few power outlets