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I have a love-and-hate relationship with this Priority Pass participating Goldair Handling Lounge at the Athens Airport (ATH) ‘s intra Schengen area. I love it because the lounge offers a good selection of buffets compared to the other Priority Pass lounges. Still, I hate it because they could deny Priority Pass members from entering when capacity is high. That is totally understandable, but they should at least post a sign at the door or at the check-in desk instead of having the big “Priority Pass Members Welcome” sign just to be turned away when the lounge gets busy. The chances of getting into the lounge in the early morning are higher than during the day, and that’s how I was able to enter.
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| Goldair Handling Lounge at ATH Airport |
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Location
The Goldair Handling Lounge is by Gate B13 in the Schengen area, airside. It’s not hard to find if you can locate Gate B13.
Priority Pass Access
The Goldair Handling Lounge is mainly for business class and elite airline passengers, their priority lounge access guests.
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| Goldair Handling Lounge Airlines Access |
However, the Goldair Handling Lounge also participates in the Priority Pass. Therefore, they also allow Priority Pass members to enter for free with a valid Priority Pass Membership. Still, please note that this is not a huge lounge so they have a capacity limit for Priority Pass members. In other words, they often deny access to Priority Pass members, claiming the lounge is a capacity limit.
Let me reiterate that the Goldair Handling Lounge capacity limit is only for Priority Pass members. They give access priority to premium class passengers, and those with elite airline status can enter the lounge without any issues, even though it is crowded.
Based on data points and my personal experience, the chances of getting into the Goldair Handling Lounge with Priority Pass Membership are early morning, which is better during the day.
Seats
Goldair Handling Lounge is not big; thus, the lounge can get crowded during busy times. The lounge has various seats, mainly dining tables and chairs.
The lounge also overlooks only airport car parking and no runway views.
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| Goldair Handling Lounge Seats |
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| Goldair Handling Lounge Seats |
Food
I visited the Goldair Handling Lounge in the morning, so they served the breakfast buffet. The buffet is arguably better than the other Priority Pass Lounge, Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge, a few gates from the Goldair Handling Lounge.
The breakfast buffet includes mini turkey and ham sandwiches, pastries, Greek bagels with feta cheese, spinach pies, and omelet frittata. They also have vegetable soup, but it’s not my thing to eat soup in the morning. Cold items such as fruits, yogurt, and cereal.
I didn’t think the food was the greatest, but it’s free and alcoholic drinks are also free and unlimited. These all come with the Priority Pass Membership through my travel credit card.
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| Mini Sandwiches |
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| Cheese and Spinach Pies |
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| Omelete Firtatta |
Drinks
The drinks inside the Goldair Handling Lounge are also self-serving buffet style. The complimentary drinks include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages you can make your own, unlimited. However, there are no bar or bartenders inside the lounge.
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| Goldair Handling Lounge Drinks Station |
Bathroom
The bathroom only has two toilet stalls, and each stall is fully enclosed, but no urinal stands inside the men’s bathroom. I can’t imagine the queue when the lounge is busy.
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| Bathroom |
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available inside the lounge, and username and password are required. At check-in, the credential info card is provided for Wi-Fi access. You can also connect to free Athens Airport’s Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
Athens Airport’s Goldair Handling Lounge is primarily for business class and elite airline passengers, but it’s also a Priority Pass Lounge. However, during busy times the lounge has a capacity limit for Priority Pass access members because it’s not a big lounge. The lounge offers a decent selection of buffet food and unlimited drinks. Therefore, enjoy when you can get in; otherwise, getting into the lounge is not worth paying.
