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
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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 (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
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Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Date of visit: November 3, 2016
Location: Terminal A, East 1 Concourse (International) After security checks, turn right. The lounge is located near gates A01 - A06 on Departure Level 3
Access: Select premium customers and elite members departing on airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Egypt Air, THAI; Priority Pass members, maximum 3 hours
Opening hours: Daily, 6:30 AM - last flight (approximately 2:30am)
Lounge Entrance
Premium Lounge main entrance, Guangzhou Airport
Lounge Reception
Premium Lounge reception
Seating
Lounge seating
Lounge seating
There's also a semi-private room with 6 recliners.
Dining
Fried rice, sauteéd vegetables
Panfried fish with lemon
Deep fried spring rolls, deep fried shrimp and chicken wonton
Australian red and white wine (Lavina), orange juice, crackers
Dining area
Bar
Desserts: Strawberry muffin, chocolate muffin, black chocolate puff, mini fruit tart, etc.
A cappuccino made by the barista
Snacks buffet station
Twinings tea, cup noodles, assorted bread
Sandwiches, muffins
White wine and red wine (Lavina)
Toilet & Shower Room
There are toilets inside the lounge and there's also a shower room but you have to book in the reception if you want to use it.
Business Center
There are several business corners with PCs. Wifi is complimentary.
CONCLUSION
Considering that several airlines are using this lounge for their premium passengers, and that all other passengers can actually enter for a fee, it is very likely that you will find this lounge very crowded during peak hours, the way I did. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly staff in the reception and was given a small paper with the password for the wifi. Unfortunately, there was almost no available seat as it was really busy but luckily, one of the semi-private rooms was opened and I was one of the few who were able to grab a seat. The food on the buffet were okay as they had a good selection of warm food in the buffet which were tasty. There was also a barista who would make a cappuccino for you if you desire so. Eventhough wifi was complimentary, with the lounge being full, the connection was really very slow. It was not until the last 30 minutes of my stay in the lounge (with passengers flying on Turkish Airlines leaving the lounge) that there had been available seats and eventually the wifi connection being a lot faster. There were also staff roaming around doing the boarding announcements. Overall, this lounge is okay if you don't come during peak hours as the food and drinks selection was good and that they have their own barista. Hopefully, they make an expansion to meet the increasing number of guests using it.
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Review: Plaza Premium Lounge, Malé (MLE)
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 (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 3, 2016
Location: Terminal A, East 1 Concourse (International) After security checks, turn right. The lounge is located near gates A01 - A06 on Departure Level 3
Access: Select premium customers and elite members departing on airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Egypt Air, THAI; Priority Pass members, maximum 3 hours
Opening hours: Daily, 6:30 AM - last flight (approximately 2:30am)
Lounge Entrance
Lounge Reception
Seating
There's also a semi-private room with 6 recliners.
Dining
Toilet & Shower Room
There are toilets inside the lounge and there's also a shower room but you have to book in the reception if you want to use it.
Business Center
There are several business corners with PCs. Wifi is complimentary.
CONCLUSION
Considering that several airlines are using this lounge for their premium passengers, and that all other passengers can actually enter for a fee, it is very likely that you will find this lounge very crowded during peak hours, the way I did. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly staff in the reception and was given a small paper with the password for the wifi. Unfortunately, there was almost no available seat as it was really busy but luckily, one of the semi-private rooms was opened and I was one of the few who were able to grab a seat. The food on the buffet were okay as they had a good selection of warm food in the buffet which were tasty. There was also a barista who would make a cappuccino for you if you desire so. Eventhough wifi was complimentary, with the lounge being full, the connection was really very slow. It was not until the last 30 minutes of my stay in the lounge (with passengers flying on Turkish Airlines leaving the lounge) that there had been available seats and eventually the wifi connection being a lot faster. There were also staff roaming around doing the boarding announcements. Overall, this lounge is okay if you don't come during peak hours as the food and drinks selection was good and that they have their own barista. Hopefully, they make an expansion to meet the increasing number of guests using it.
Related Post:
Review: Plaza Premium Lounge, Malé (MLE)
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