Business class Qantas flight passengers in Santiago, Chile have access to the LATAM airlines lounge. This lounge in Terminal 2 or the International Terminal of Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) was opened in 2022 and is said to be South America's largest lounge at 4,000 square meters. The LATAM lounge is actually comprised of three lounges: a Signature Lounge for business-class passengers or frequent flyers including Delta Diamond Medallion; the Premium Lounge for frequent flyers including Platinum Medallion; and the World Member Lounge for Santander Bank World Member customers. Come along as we check out LATAM's Premium lounge.
LATAM (formerly known as LAN) is a Chilean airline so I have fairly high expectations for the renovated lounge in their home's capital of Santiago. The LATAM lounge is located just after the duty free shops, just turn left and go up the escalator. This is a stylish lounge with soaring extra high ceilings, beaded chandelier lighting and is definitely giving elegant hotel vibes. The colour scheme is dark with stone, gold and artwork with a lot of art and pottery on display.
It is spacious with a areas for groups as well as 1 or 2 seater tables, many with privacy screens. It was designed by Chilean architect Enrique Concha and Grupo Arquitectos. The art in the lounge focuses on 21 Latin American artists such as Ximena Guzmán from Chile, Sofía Donován from Argentina, and Percy Zorrilla from Peru. This lounge also uses 80% renewable energy to operate it, the remaining 20% is offset by LATAM.
As my arrival to the lounge is around 11am there are still breakfast dishes out including ham and cheese croissants, buns filled with mozzarella, tomato and basil as well as hot offerings such as scrambled eggs, longonisa sausages, potatoes and fresh fruit.
Sweet pastries, dulce de leche and jam sit on one counter and there is also a fridge full of yogurt and a fresh orange juice machine that juices fresh oranges on the spot that is absolutely delicious. I help myself to some fresh fruit and the two filled buns.
I'm here for two and a half hours so I watch the changeover from breakfast to lunch at 11:30am on the dot. They bring out a range of salads, hot dishes and soup. While breakfast is nice, if you're here at lunch, I'd suggest waiting for the lunch dishes to come out.
You can make your own salad and there's also roasted chicken breast, beef tenderloin gratin with blue cheese, brown basmati rice, roast potatoes and ricotta cheese ravioli with walnuts in a tomato and piquillo pepper sauce.
The chicken and beef are a little on the dry side but the ravioli is delicious with plenty of flavour and just need a touch of salt added to it. The charcuterie selection is very good too. There's also a bread basket, oils, vinegars and seasonings to add to your food. Staff are all polite and are quick to pick up empty plates and glasses and keep everything clean.
If you want to grab a snack to-go there is a range of chips, energy bars and whole fruit to take with you. I grab a couple of bags of chips by a brand called Tika and some dulce de leche cookies by Oveja Negra. There is also a freezer full of Haagen Daaz ice creams to help yourself to for dessert. The only thing about the this lounge is that no flights are called, so while it is quiet, you do have to keep a track of time and check if your flight is on time too!
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever been really impressed by an airline lounge? And do you like it when they call your flights?
Qantas
https://www.qantas.com/au/
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