Lounge Review: Austrian Airlines HON Circle Lounge Schengen (VIE – F Gates)

by Anthony Losanno
HON Circle First Lounge

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Lufthansa and SWISS’ First Class Lounges are lauded for there many luxe amenities, gourmet food, and top-shelf wines and spirits. But, did you know that there is a private experience for connecting First Class passengers and Miles & More HON Circle members at Vienna International Airport (VIE)? I was not aware of it before this trip and had not really found any information, reviews, or photos online.

Austrian Check-In

Vienna International Airport (VIE) has a dedicated check-in area for Senator, HON Circle, Star Alliance Gold, and premium passengers.

Austrian Escort

Our boarding passes were printed and we were escorted to an exclusive security checkpoint shortly after reaching the desk.

Austrian HON VIE Security

The security cehckpoint is not really labeled and you need to know it’s there to find it. It is definitely one of the cutest security areas I have ever been through.

Austrian VIE Security 1

 

Austrian VIE Security 2

 

 

 

Austrian VIE Security 4

 

Austrian VIE Security 5

 

Austrian VIE Security 6

The left wall is lined with rubber ducks from Lufthansa, other airlines, and places around the world.

VIE Signage

Signs (immediately upon exiting security) lead you into Concourse F (where the lounges are found).

VIE Airport Lounge Sign

Lounges in this terminal are located upstairs and down a hallway.

Austrian Lounge Entrance VIE

The Austrian Lounge houses three separate areas inside: Business Class, Senator, and HON Circle/First Class. I have never departed Vienna International Airport (VIE) with a First Class connection on Lufthansa or SWISS before, so the existence of the exclusive space was news to me. Immediately inside there is a check-in desk.

Access

Access is granted for HON Circle members as well as passengers with a same-day connecting flight in First Class on Lufthansa or SWISS.

Anthony’s Take: As mentioned above, I was not aware that this lounge existed. It’s a nice touch for passengers flying First Class or those that have achieved HON Circle status (which is not easy to do). The private security is probably the best part of this ground experience although the lounge is a quiet, little oasis within the airport.

Austrian HON Circle First Class Lounge VIE Entrance

A dedicated HON Circle/First Class line is to the left when entering. The agent scanned our boarding cards and welcomed us into the small lounge.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE

The lounge has a few distinct spaces for dining, relaxing, and working.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 1

A wardrobe is located to the immediate left upon entering.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 2

Just past it is an area with a TV and some seating and magazines.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 3

Additional seating of various types can be found throughout the small space.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 4

Seats near the windows offered great tarmac views.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 18

Some additional tables were against the back wall.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 6

The dining area fills the center with a buffet on the right.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 7

 

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 8

Bar

Near the entrance, you’ll find all of the beverages. There were many types of soft drinks, water, wine, and beer on offer.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 9

The lounge had a nice selection of red wine.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 10

There were also two champagnes available.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 11

We each had a cappuccino from the self-serve coffee machine.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 12

Tea and condiments were nearby.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 13

The lounge also had a decent selection of self-serve liquor.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 14

Food

There is a small buffet as well as limited table service. Here you’ll find some cold choices including meats, cheeses, and yogurt.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 15

 

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 16

Several bread selections were on the counter.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 17

A warming cabinet held croissants and other breads.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 19

The table service for breakfast offered one choice.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 20

We both had the Cheese Omelette with Ham from Thum. It was fine, but nothing noteworthy.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 21

We also had croissants from the warming cabinet with Nutella.

Amenities

This HON Circle Lounge offers the food and drinks shown above, some magazines, Wi-Fi, a workstation, and a relaxation area.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 5

The workstations offered a few desk areas off to the side.

Austrian HON Circle First Lounge VIE 22

A relaxation area was separated from the rest of the lounge.

Overall Impression:

The HON Circle Lounge Schengen at Vienna International Airport (VIE) is small and rather austere, but a decent place to visit before a flight. The food was disappointing for what should be a premium experience. We were the only guests there aside from one woman who remained on a call for the entirety of our visit. The ground experience with dedicated private security is what really made the experience for me along with the privacy offered here.

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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

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