SAS Domestic Oslo Lounge gate A2

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has opened a new lounge at Oslo airport. Although in the domestic area, it is accessible for all passengers, who walk through domestic at Oslo Gardermoen to get to International. The much anticipated new domestic lounge at Oslo Gardermoen airport, is a significantly larger lounge with better food and drinks and more facilities than previously offered.

The SAS Scandinavian Airlines Oslo Lounge at Gate A2 covers over 900 square meters, and has a lounge area with a fire pit, a Scandinavian dining room, buffet, cafe, business centre, and a gym. NEWS: SAS unveil new Oslo Lounge, with access for all domestic and international passengers. The next generation lounge has a central cafe, a fire pit, innovation centre, and a large gym.
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Oslo SAS gate A2 lounge review

SAS describes the new Oslo Lounge as a "next generation lounge" with a new design and some new and innovative facilities, and so it is. It has design elements from the other Scandinavian lounges, but also adds new elements.

The new domestic lounge is located to the right after the main security control, on the second floor. Although designed for domestic flights, all passengers even to international destinations will pass it, and can drop in. Just turn sharp right after security, and then take the stairs or the lift upwards.

As you enter there are electronic gates to let you into the lounge: or, a lounge attendant sitting on a little podium.

Then you walk up a corridor rammed with small seats at the side, which leads to the island cafe coffee bar. This area gets very busy in the mornings. Indeed for passengers who are just in the lounge for a short time, and want a cup of coffee as you enter there is a cafe area with a barista. Behind this is typical cafe style seating, plus high benches with odd 'rolled' back rests. In the domestic Lounge, it's designed for a pretty quick pace, as domestic travel is short, the day is often intense and lounge visit is thus quite short. The whole plan seems to be to run in, get a cup of coffee, and then jump on a plane.

In the new domestic lounge at Oslo Gardermoen, this is very clear with bright and intense colours for people on the go, and the key part to the lounge is the central room has long blue benches surrounded by round cushioned seats. Opposite this there are the usual round circular tables with large white lights.

The unusual seating carries on as you had to the new buffet area which is designed to look like a Norwegian kitchen, and the food selection has been improved on the old domestic lounge with a cold buffet and hot soup in the day. While there isn't a dedicated bar, there is a draft beer tap, and wine on tap too.

Further on in the SAS Domestic Oslo Lounge at gate A2 there is a small inner area with seating: there is a blank door here, and this is the new concept area, with a gym in the lounge with treadmills, spinning bikes, rowing machines and weights. The gym is 70 sqm large and run in cooperation with SATS. There are locker rooms with showers. A massage is also offered (at a charge) in cooperation with Soleus.

However it is the central area of the lounge with a fire pit that may get the most attention, plus the back corridor leading to an innovation centre, which has a light wall. The first pit has low long benches that may remind you of 1960s style lounge designs. It is certainly unusual.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines says the concept behind what is called a next generation lounge is that you should be able to do everything you would do at home. There is an ultra fast WiFi network, three telephone booths and a business centre with internet computers in the inner area.

The lounge has been revamped with SAS's new lounge style, using the concept of "Tempo". Different areas in the lounge have different tempos which SAS reflect in the design, in everything from the colours and shapes to the furniture. Another room towards the back has classic IKEA Scandinavian dining room tables.

This is finally revealed at the back of the lounge, where there is a large open area, with plenty of seats, under the classic SAS lounge 'umbrellas'.

This place is well-lit, and cleaned continuously with lots of power outlets everywhere you can see.

Food

The food selection is poor in the Oslo SAS gate A2 lounge. There is normally only cold food with a very basic salads, plus cold cuts of ham and cheese.

Occasionally there is 'soup of the day' available, but it's often something very bland, like potato.

Bar

The bar in the SAS Domestic Oslo Lounge gate A2 is at the far side of the island bench, but it isn't up to much.

The Oslo SAS Bar selection consists of red or white wine, Carlsberg beer, and half a dozen bottles of spirits.

Bathrooms

In lounge. Showers, with towels on the rack outside.

Business Facilities

There is a small computer room with four iMacs. This is termed the 'innovation centre' and has been set up with startups in mind.

Free Wifi, which is amazingly fast.

Access

The small SAS Domestic lounge is immediately after security, and before the new 'arm' of the airport, right in the middle of the terminal. The lounge is up the stairs half way along the concourse.

You can buy a daypass to the SAS Oslo Lounge, and pay in on the door.

The price per person is €22/US$30 if you pay when you check in online or €28/US$38 per person if you pay at the reception desk in the lounge. Payment can only be made using a credit card.

The lounge is accessible to passengers travelling in SAS Plus, SAS Business or business class on another Star Alliance carrier. It is also a Star Gold Lounge.

Video: SAS Domestic Lounge gate A2

SAS Domestic Lounge gate A2 video - Click to play

SAS Domestic Lounge gate A2 video - Click to play