Trip to Guangzhou in Turkish Airlines Business Class & Guangzhou to Mumbai in Qatar Airways & Etihad A380 First Class
A few months ago, I came across some tips on Flyertalk about a cheap business class fare from Vilnius to Toronto on Turkish Airlines and since I wanted to earn Elite status in the airlines' Miles & Smiles program by the end of this year, I did not hesitate and booked the flight. Unfortunately, a schedule change forced me to cancel the flight and look for another option. I had some miles left on my American Airlines Advantage account so I thought I could redeem them flying from Guangzhou to Mumbai in first class. Flying from Mumbai to Bangkok was easy since Air India flies direct between these two cities. After thoroughly planning the trip, I ended up buying an open jaw ticket in Turkish Airlines business class, from Stockholm to Guangzhou and back from Bangkok to Stockholm. It actually turned out perfectly well as I was able to fly Qatar Airways A380 first class from Guangzhou to Doha and then to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, I was able to visit the newly opened Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa and from Abu Dhabi, I flew on Etihad's A380 to Mumbai. It was 8 flights in 6 days which was really tiring but who cares when you're flying in first and business class 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class, Istanbul to Guangzhou
Review: Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun
24 hours in Guangzhou, China
Review: Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Review: Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Guangzhou to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Doha to Abu Dhabi
Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Review: Etihad Airways A380 First Apartment, Abu Dhabi to Mumbai
Review: Loyalty Lounge, Mumbai Airport T2 (BOM)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C West, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C East, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Bangkok to Istanbul
Tour Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Date of visit: November 4, 2016
Location: Airside past the Duty Free Shops, turn right and proceed through the Swarovski outlet. Take the elevator in Pranaam Lounge to 3rd floor
Access: Select premium passengers and Elite members departing on airlines like Air India, Singapore Air, etc; Priority Pass members; holders of credit cards like VISA, American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club International
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Mumbai International Airport, Terminal 2
Duty Free Shops, Mumbai Airport
Lounge Card
Air India Lounge Card
Loyalty Lounge
Lounge entrance
Seating
Loyalty Lounge seating
Dining
Buffet area
There were four warm food including Peas Rice Pulao, Chicken Curry and this Dal Tadka
There was also a soup.
The non-vegetarian sandwich was the Chicken Jungle Sandwich. The juice was Jal Jeera, the Indian version of lemonade. There were also fruits.
The vegetarian sandwich was Tomato Mustard sandwich. There were also cookies and the Indian dessert, Gulab Jamun. There were also several selection of crackers and chips.
Cup noodles
Selection of alcoholic drinks included Bacardi rum, Romanov vodka, the Indian Mc Dowell's No. 1 and Signature, and Black Dog Scotch Whiskey among others.
There were also bottles of mineral water, softdrinks (7up, Pepsi), juices, beers, etc.
Bar
Loyalty Lounge bar
Work & Entertainment
Work stations with 2 PCs. Wifi is complimentary but you have to get the code from the Airport Information Desk on the 4th floor.
International newspapers including The Free Press Journal, Business Line, The Indian Express, Hindu Stan Times, Mumbai Mirror, Mint, DNA
My visit was a few days after the Diwali celebration so it was still part of the newspapers headlines.
Gentlemen's Toilet
Loyalty Lounge toilet. There are no showers in the lounge.
CONCLUSION
A few weeks ago, I was transiting in Mumbai Airport and had a chance to visit the Loyalty Lounge located in the International Terminal. You can reach the lounge by taking the elevator one level down to the 3rd floor. I was greeted by the lady receptionist on duty and welcomed as I presented my Lounge Card from Air India. She informed me that all the food and drinks were complimentary except for alcoholic drinks which is chargeable. Lucky for me, I don't drink 😉 The seating area has comfortable chairs although it was not divided into small areas so there was not much privacy. I thought the food selection were very good specially if you love Indian food. The choice between vegetarian and non vegetarian sandwiches reminded me that I was in India 👳 There were two PCs but unfortunately, internet connection is chargeable. There was also a small seating area for first class passengers with massage chairs, located beside the buffet area. Only difference is that they have massage chairs since the food in the buffet is the same for business and first class passengers. Overall, this is a nice lounge with good food selection although the chargeable alcoholic drinks may not be good news for some.
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A few months ago, I came across some tips on Flyertalk about a cheap business class fare from Vilnius to Toronto on Turkish Airlines and since I wanted to earn Elite status in the airlines' Miles & Smiles program by the end of this year, I did not hesitate and booked the flight. Unfortunately, a schedule change forced me to cancel the flight and look for another option. I had some miles left on my American Airlines Advantage account so I thought I could redeem them flying from Guangzhou to Mumbai in first class. Flying from Mumbai to Bangkok was easy since Air India flies direct between these two cities. After thoroughly planning the trip, I ended up buying an open jaw ticket in Turkish Airlines business class, from Stockholm to Guangzhou and back from Bangkok to Stockholm. It actually turned out perfectly well as I was able to fly Qatar Airways A380 first class from Guangzhou to Doha and then to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, I was able to visit the newly opened Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa and from Abu Dhabi, I flew on Etihad's A380 to Mumbai. It was 8 flights in 6 days which was really tiring but who cares when you're flying in first and business class 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class, Istanbul to Guangzhou
Review: Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun
24 hours in Guangzhou, China
Review: Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Review: Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Guangzhou to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Doha to Abu Dhabi
Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Review: Etihad Airways A380 First Apartment, Abu Dhabi to Mumbai
Review: Loyalty Lounge, Mumbai Airport T2 (BOM)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C West, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C East, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Bangkok to Istanbul
Tour Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Loyalty Lounge Mumbai Airport
Date of visit: November 4, 2016
Location: Airside past the Duty Free Shops, turn right and proceed through the Swarovski outlet. Take the elevator in Pranaam Lounge to 3rd floor
Access: Select premium passengers and Elite members departing on airlines like Air India, Singapore Air, etc; Priority Pass members; holders of credit cards like VISA, American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club International
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Mumbai International Airport, Terminal 2
Duty Free Shops, Mumbai Airport
Lounge Card
Air India Lounge Card
Loyalty Lounge
Lounge entrance
Seating
Loyalty Lounge seating
Dining
Buffet area
There were four warm food including Peas Rice Pulao, Chicken Curry and this Dal Tadka
There was also a soup.
The non-vegetarian sandwich was the Chicken Jungle Sandwich. The juice was Jal Jeera, the Indian version of lemonade. There were also fruits.
The vegetarian sandwich was Tomato Mustard sandwich. There were also cookies and the Indian dessert, Gulab Jamun. There were also several selection of crackers and chips.
Cup noodles
Selection of alcoholic drinks included Bacardi rum, Romanov vodka, the Indian Mc Dowell's No. 1 and Signature, and Black Dog Scotch Whiskey among others.
There were also bottles of mineral water, softdrinks (7up, Pepsi), juices, beers, etc.
Bar
Loyalty Lounge bar
Work & Entertainment
Work stations with 2 PCs. Wifi is complimentary but you have to get the code from the Airport Information Desk on the 4th floor.
International newspapers including The Free Press Journal, Business Line, The Indian Express, Hindu Stan Times, Mumbai Mirror, Mint, DNA
My visit was a few days after the Diwali celebration so it was still part of the newspapers headlines.
Gentlemen's Toilet
Loyalty Lounge toilet. There are no showers in the lounge.
CONCLUSION
A few weeks ago, I was transiting in Mumbai Airport and had a chance to visit the Loyalty Lounge located in the International Terminal. You can reach the lounge by taking the elevator one level down to the 3rd floor. I was greeted by the lady receptionist on duty and welcomed as I presented my Lounge Card from Air India. She informed me that all the food and drinks were complimentary except for alcoholic drinks which is chargeable. Lucky for me, I don't drink 😉 The seating area has comfortable chairs although it was not divided into small areas so there was not much privacy. I thought the food selection were very good specially if you love Indian food. The choice between vegetarian and non vegetarian sandwiches reminded me that I was in India 👳 There were two PCs but unfortunately, internet connection is chargeable. There was also a small seating area for first class passengers with massage chairs, located beside the buffet area. Only difference is that they have massage chairs since the food in the buffet is the same for business and first class passengers. Overall, this is a nice lounge with good food selection although the chargeable alcoholic drinks may not be good news for some.
Related Posts:
Photoreview: Serendib Lounge, Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB)
Review: Araliya Lounge, Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB)
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