Review: Hugo Junkers Business Lounge Dusseldorf Airport
This reviews details a visit to the Hugo Junkers Business Lounge in Terminal B of Dusseldorf Airport (DUS), Germany.
Dusseldorf Airport
After a recent trip to the Low Countries it was time to head back to my home in Romania.
My outbound flight was on TAROM to Brussels and my journey back involved two Air France flights from Dusseldorf via Paris to Bucharest.
Of course, I could have taken the direct Eurowings flight that day from Dusseldorf to Bucharest, but as I want to requalify for my Flying Blue platinum status, this was the cheapest option to get two flight sectors and the corresponding points.
I have flown through Dusseldorf Airport countless of times, although the last time I visited the Hugo Junkers Lounge in Terminal B was in the days when Air Berlin was still operating (2017 or even before that).
Terminal B
Dusseldorf Airport has three interconnected terminals: Terminal A is primarily used by Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners for both Schengen and non-Schengen flights, Terminal B is mostly used by Schengen area flights operated by all other airlines, while Terminal C is exclusively used for non-Schengen flights from airlines that are not part of the Lufthansa Group or Star Alliance.
The big exception is Turkish Airlines, which operates out of Terminal C instead of Terminal A.
As I was flying Air France to Paris, I knew that my flight would depart from Terminal B.
The queues at security control were light when I arrived in the late afternoon, even though the terminal itself was fairly crowded.
Before I went to the lounge, I browsed the terminal bookshop and couldn’t help but chuckle at the centrepiece “Mallorca” section.
For those who don’t know: The Spanish island of Mallorca is the unofficial 17th state of the Federal Republic of Germany and Germans really do love their holidays there.
Hugo Junkers Lounge entry requirements
The only business lounge in Terminal B of Dusseldorf Airport is the Hugo Junkers Lounge.
The Hugo Junkers Lounge is a contract lounge which is used by all airlines departing from Terminal B.
It therefore depends on the exact policies of the airline you fly with whether you qualify for complimentary access to this lounge.
In the case of Air France, you can visit the lounge if you fly in business class or hold SkyTeam Elite Plus status.
The Hugo Junkers Lounge at Terminal B of Dusseldorf Airport can also be visited if you have a lounge membership card such as Priority Pass.
Alternatively, you can always pay for access to visit the Hugo Junkers Lounge, which will cost you 28 euro.
In case you are wondering: The lounge is named after German aircraft engineer Hugo Junkers, who was born a short distance away from Dusseldorf in Rheydt.
Inside the lounge
The Hugo Junkers Lounge is spread out over two floors.
Unsurprisingly, the first floor is the most crowded as this is where you enter the lounge and find the main buffet.
That was certainly the case when I visited the lounge, as the first floor was quite crowded with nearly all the seats and tables being taken.
There is a good variety in seating as there are comfortable leather chairs, high top tables and dining tables in the lounge.
You will also find some good work spots along a large desk straddling a couple of windows.
Although the first floor of the lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows and some decent views over the apron, it did feel a bit dim inside due to the dark colours of the rather dated furniture, although the gloomy weather outside may have also played a role here.
Second floor
Directly opposite the reception desk you can find some stairs that will take you to the second level of the lounge.
Although there was hardly any seat unoccupied on the first floor, the second floor of the Hugo Junkers Lounge was almost completely deserted, making this a much more quiet and peaceful part of the lounge to sit down.
As the furniture and decorations in this part of the lounge are slightly different, the second floor had a much more bright and modern feel to it as well.
Just like the first floor, you will find a couple of interesting aviation-themed decorations on the walls of the lounge.
Although the second floor has floor-to-ceiling windows too, the views here are a bit more obstructed due to the roof outside.
There is a buffet area and drinks station on the second floor as well, although the selection of food and drinks is much smaller here compared to the main buffet on the first floor.
Buffet
The main buffet counter of the Hugo Junkers Lounge is located towards the back on the first floor.
Unfortunately, the buffet leaves quite a bit to be desired in both quantity and quality.
When I visited the lounge, there was some tomato soup available, as well as some potatoes with unidentified meat in tomato sauce.
There was also a small salad bar, although the food there didn’t look that appetising either.
Apart from that, the only choice of food was basically some fruit, crisps and peanuts.
I tried a bit of the potatoes, meat in tomato sauce and salad and wasn’t impressed with the quality – you can get a much better meal outside of the lounge in the restaurants of the terminal.
Drinks
I wasn’t too impressed with the drinks selection at the Hugo Junkers Lounge either.
The main drinks station can be found right next to the buffet on the first floor, while the second floor has a more limited drinks station.
On the plus side, the coffee machines do make a good quality brew.
You can find the usual soft drinks, a water dispenser and some machines dispensing a variety of juices.
It being Germany, the lounge obviously has a proper beer fridge as well.
Although there were three different kinds of Warsteiner beer available (standard, double hopped and non-alcoholic) there wasn’t any Weizen beer, which is rather unusual for a German airport lounge.
You shouldn’t get too excited about the assortment of other alcoholic drinks either, as the Hugo Junkers Lounge has just a couple of bottles of bottom shelf booze.
Although Sekt (German sparkling wine) is available in the Hugo Junkers Lounge, there is just one type each of white and red wine, both bottom shelf brands.
Other lounge facilities
The Hugo Junkers Lounge has toilets on both floors, although the restrooms on the second floor were temporarily closed.
There is a shower room available as well at the Hugo Junkers Lounge, although I didn’t try it out personally.
Wi-Fi internet was fast and worked perfectly throughout my stay, although not every seat in the lounge has access to a power socket.
I did however find the Hugo Junkers Lounge to be a good place to get some work done.
Conclusion
Although the Hugo Junkers Lounge at Terminal B of Dusseldorf Airport is a decent business lounge, it isn’t anything to get excited about.
If you are looking for a quiet place to wait for your departing flight or to get some work done, the lounge does not disappoint.
Especially on the second floor you will find lots of space and a quiet, relaxed environment to wind down.
The food and drinks are the least impressive aspects of the Hugo Junkers Lounge as I thought the quality and quantity were both subpar.
If all you need is a soft drink, beer or some coffee or tea you will be fine, but don’t expect some good food or quality wines in the lounge.
