Air France Paris CDG Terminal 2E K gates Lounge

This old, tired lounge is one of the worst on the Air France estate of a dozen or so lounges, spread around the sprawling mess that is CDG airport.

Being underground means that this lounge is dull. There are the low ceilings and a beige colour scheme really make for a depressing, bunker-like feel.

There are two parts to the lounge, with the really old 1960s section having an ancient staircase. However, it really is a depressing start to any journey.

Paris CDG Air France Lounge T2E K gates lounge review

If ever there was a lounge not to pick in Paris, the K gates lounge would the one to avoid. Indeed, if your flight departs from the L or M gates you can, so long as you have an iron will and a PhD in map reading and airport security, head to the vastly better L gates lounges.

The Air France lounge in the K concourse is located on the level below the shops and departure gates, and once down there, in a small hall once you have had your boarding pass checked, you are waived left or right. Many people turn right, as this is the most depressing area of the lounge, although the left had side, despite having windows and two levels, is also a bit grim.

Since this lounge sits underground, it was never going to be light and airy. On the right hand side, the most depressing, although an effort has been made to add some light through fake windows that just have lights behind them, the low ceilings and neutral colour scheme really give the space a dismal, bunker-like vibe.

There was a fenced-off space at the far end for First Class travellers, which is often open to all, and which has some long blue sofas, which is the best this area comes to a sleeping area. In the main part of the lounge where is a small bar counter in the middle with buckets of wine, and a refectory area at one end. In the inside of this is a small quiet area, which is even more enclosed than the rest of the lounge, and best avoided.

Much better is the left hand side, which actually has a real window, overlooking some of the gates, and two levels, so it seems to have more space. However, it is also deeply depressing.

The other side of the lounge, the left hand side, is better. True, the centre piece of the lounge is still the self-service bar. There is a large champagne bucket here, plus nine bottles of spirits laid out for you. Coasters under the reds show that someone still cares. There is also better food here, plus on the 'inside' of the lounge some small private booths and a quiet area.

However, it is the upstairs of this lounge which is the best part, if that can possibly be said about one of the most miserable of lounges. Up the stairs there ar etwo large rooms with sofas and wipe clean leather seats. Plus another small bar, and a buffet at the end of it.

Food

There are three good, decent, buffets at each end of the three lounge areas, but it may not be the high quality buffet with French food you expect.

The main one is on the left hand side, with hot food, which consists of one large bowl of soup, and hot rolls. Next to this are three or four hot dishes. There are also a couple of large tourines with a hot curry and rice or pasta. It is all remarkably average.

There is also a pleasant salad bar, with a dozen or so bowls of green, Greek and bean salad, plus chickpeas and other salad dressings.

Don't miss the cheese and dessert section: the desserts are the best, with lots of different sweet deserts, sponge, and cream cake.

Nibbles also consists of mini sandwiches, nuts and crisps.

Bar

There are three stand alone self serve bars.

There is a large wine selection - with French wines, naturally, to the fore. However, they really aren't presented very well, with just a bucket on the self serve bar, with all the white wines, and reds just on the worktop.

Duval Leroy champagne is served, slightly downmarket on the Laurent Perrier champagne previously offered, but it is just in the bucket, along with the vodka. There are also several spirits on the worktop.

Beer is Heineken, with cans in the fridge.

Bathrooms

There is in theory a Clarins spa in the K gates 2E CDG Air France lounge, but it rarely seems to be open.

Business Facilities

There are no longer any computers available to work on, however there are lots of places to sit down and plug in.

There is of course free wifi.

Almost all the seats have power sockets, of the French round pin 240 volt style, and USB sockets, and there are also some power sockets in the many workbenches.

Access

There is access to the Air France Business Class Paris Lounge if you have an Air France Business Class ticket, or you are traveling in the La Première cabin (in which case you can bring a guest).

You also have access with Flying Blue Platinum or Gold status, or if you have SkyTeam Elite Plus status.

The Air France staff will try very hard to stop you from accessing the lounge unless your flight not only leaves from the same terminal, but the same sub-terminal (2E) and the right hall and gates (K hall gates). However (in French, if possible) you can argue your way in if your flight also leaves from the L or M gates at terminal 2E, as these are also after passport control, and both lounges are vastly better than the ghastly K gates one. However you will need to give yourself enough time to leave the K gates, and then take the train to the L or M gates, and go through security again. Do not attempt to leave the passport controlled area.

Also note that photography is strictly prohibited in any Air France lounge, and you will be chastised by the lounge staff if you take any photos.

Video: Air France Lounge 2E K gates

Air France Lounge 2E K gates video - Click to play