REVIEW: Icelandair Saga Lounge – Keflavik Airport, Iceland
There are many reasons why I am so grateful for my American Airlines Executive Platinum status (ie this $500 basic economy turned flagship business flight, a nearly perfect streak of complimentary domestic upgrades last year!) but airport lounge access with my corresponding oneworld Emerald status may be my favorite one. I love that even when flying economy, I am able to access some nicer airport lounges for free and how oneworld makes it so easy to access lounges (as opposed to Star Alliance where it can feel like pulling teeth getting my SA Gold recognized!)
LOUNGE INFO
LOUNGE: Icelandair Saga Lounge
AIRPORT / TERMINAL: Keflavik Airport, Iceland
LOCATION: Near Gate A15 and C area, before passport control in the Schengen area of Keflavík Airport (about a 5-minute walk from security).
HOURS: I love how Icelandair this statement feels and is direct from their website: Saga Lounge is usually open daily year-round, from 5am until the last departing Icelandair flight soooo basically they should be open but may not be and depends on flights but typically until 17:00 / 5 PM
SCHENGEN / NON-SCHENGEN: Schengen departures; accessible to non-Schengen passengers so visit the lounge before passport control (but also ensure that you give yourself enough time since that wait can be lengthier than anticipated at KEF)
WHO CAN ACCESS
- SAGA CLASS: Same-day Saga Premium class passengers (there is not + 1 guest invite) – Icelandair “business class”
- STATUS: Those with Icelandair Saga Gold and Silver elite status (access granted + 1 guess invite)
- OTHERS: There are seriously a lot of others that can access the lounge with too many to name as this is the only airport lounge at KEF – check if you are unsure here
- NO ACCESS: Note that eligible passengers with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or DragonPass do not currently have access.
HOW I WAS ABLE TO ACCESS: Flying on a one-world carrier (Finnair) with my oneworld emerald status
GUEST POLICY: oneworld Emerald status members can bring one guest along – shout out to Finnair for disclosing lounge access and guest policy on the boarding pass
THE LOUNGE
The lounge is large at nearly 14,000 square feet (~1,300 square meters) and feels spacious due to the amount of windows / natural light and spacing.
After scanning your boarding pass to enter the lounge (or a quick visit to the check-in desk), you walk past the buffet area with hot / cold food and drinks. There are a variety of seating choices and areas to enjoy your time before heading to the gate. I have notice that those working gravitate towards the high top counters as seen in the photo above
Plenty of sit down tables to eat at with some more high top seating along the windows. The large panoramic windows have some lovely views of mountains, lava fields and the runways.
To the left and after the large rock (more on that in the Icelandic touches section), if you are opting for more comfy seating.
As you continue toward the back of the lounge, there are a few more seating areas. One thing that I love about this lounge is the number of spaces that have charging / USB ports around the lounge
Heading towards the back and to the left, there is more seating and many of these seats offer a more private space/ workstation again with charging / USB ports
This area is where I have seen larger parties congregate – the lounge has seating capacity for around 350 guests. Note that many of the Icelandair flights to the United States leave around the same time in the late afternoon so the lounge gets really busy during that time.
FOOD/DRINK
Bar area with complimentary spirits available. As alcohol (as all things in Iceland can be) is expensive so a nice bonus for the lounge
I have been to this lounge a few times with one visit in the morning.
Breakfast offerings including pancakes (with some delicious jams + orange marmalade), yummy pastries, tuna salad (which was really good) and skyr + toppings
Self serve buffet options for food one of the afternoons I was there: hot items included chicken wings, samosas and soup. Cold items included Icelandic cheese, lamb sandwiches and desserts.
Beautiful tip: Do not miss out on Icelandic dairy products are incredible (something about the water, land and animals that makes them so delectable) / baked goods (again lots use that Smjör / Icelandic butter!) and lamb (I am typically not a fan of lamb but it tastes different here)
Many choices for refreshment including Icelandic beer, sodas and in the morning: ingredients for mimosas!
ICELANDIC + THOUGHTFUL TOUCHES
Most airport lounges feel generic but here there are so many touches that play homage to the land of fire and ice here that you know exactly where in the world you are.
Icelanders + the belief in elves shows up straight away with the massive boulder visible upon entering the lounge
Probably my favorite feature of the lounge is this fireplace – it does keep you toasty. There are photos of Iceland throughout the lounge (including on the walls behind the buffet) that show the magic and awe that is this tiny country – perhaps the most awe inspiring is seeing the Northern Lights.
There are more Icelandic rocks scattered throughout the lounge (notice in the photo with the fireplace that there’s a second large rock besides Greystone in the lounge! plus many of the coffee tables have rocks as the base!
Two of my favorite features of this lounge are the water dispenser (including sparkling) but it’s different because it is Icelandic water. Seriously, the water is phenomenal here. And you will find these small refreshment / departure board stations scattered throughout the lounge – so nice not to have to wait for only one or two espresso machines in a lounge especially for one this size!
For adult beverages, there are multiple Icelandic spirits to choose from!
RESTROOMS + OTHER AMENITIES
The bathrooms were kept very clean and stocked with Blue Lagoon products
There are showers that are available in the lounge (in the same hallway as the restrooms and you do not need to sign in for them). There’s a small play area for children
SERVICE
The food and drinks were constantly being replenished and dishes were quickly cleared in all of the spaces.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Icelandair Saga Lounge stands out for its authentic Icelandic design and touches, local cuisine, and breathtaking views. I love when I am reminded where I am in the world whilst at the lounge and this lounge is one of the best for how it meets that goal.
For me, a lounge is first and foremost, a place to grab a quick bite before a flight (especially since I love early morning flights, I often have to leave before my hotel serves breakfast) and a chance to get away from the chaos at an airport. And to boot, access to the lounges is free for me. Unless I have a connection, the time I spend in a lounge is fairly minimal but I still value them and consider them an important perk for flying business class. It is even better when I am flying economy but still be able to get in with my airline elite status!
