Opened in 2024, the new oneworld lounge Amsterdam is a world away from the previous non-Schengen oneworld status and business class option, the pre-renovation Aspire Lounge next door. Spanning 473 square metres, the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam has capacity for just 118 passengers.
This new lounge is split off from that, with full renovations of both lounges to bring them up to scratch in the 21st century. The idea is that oneworld elite status holders, business and first class passengers can use the oneworld lounge, with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass passengers using the Aspire Lounge instead. Non-Skyteam, non-Schengen Star Alliance and all other non-alliance airlines also tend to use the Aspire Lounge too for non-Schengen flights, with Star Alliance having a dedicated Schengen Lounge at Schiphol.
My last time flying through Amsterdam was in 2023, flying from Amsterdam to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific and I very much remember the lounge was full to capacity and one-in, one-out. A very common occurrence at Amsterdam Schiphol sadly. The Aspire Lounge also had a really bare-bones, basic food and beverage offering.
I was flying on the first flight out to London in the morning today, so no issues with queuing or overcapacity on this occasion.
This is Forward of the Wing’s review of the Amsterdam oneworld Lounge.
Location of the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam
It’s a bit of a maze to find the Amsterdam oneworld lounge. Once airside through non-Schengen security, turn left and head towards the Starbucks on level 2.
Behind the Starbucks, follow the signs for the lounges, and you will find two elevators. Go up to level 3, and you will see the entrance for both the oneworld lounge to the left and the Aspire lounge straight ahead.
If you are transiting non-Schengen to non-Schengen, follow the signs for “Lounge No.40”. You wouldn’t need to clear passport control and security if you are just transiting non-Schengen to non-Schengen.
oneworld Lounge Amsterdam Opening Hours
The oneworld lounge Amsterdam is open 7 days a week, from 5:30am until 10pm.
This covers all non-Schengen oneworld flights, from the first 7am daily BA flight to London Heathrow, through until the boarding of the last Qatar Airways departure to Doha at 9:50pm.
Layout of the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam
The oneworld Lounge Amsterdam is fairly long, narrow and open plan, with the lounge sectioned off into various small seating arrangements to suit all travellers. The partitioning helps to give privacy to each section and helps to reduce noise, which is also helpful as the narrowness of this lounge means that the buffet and bar areas could be noisy when busy.
Towards the buffet, there are plenty of dining table pairs, adjacent to the bar is bench seating with side tables, perfect for sipping on cocktails whilst charging your phone. Armchairs next to the windows look over the apron. Further down the end of the lounge, there are more relaxation armchairs and a chaise lounger area, as well as booth seats perfect for getting work done with some additional privacy. There are also enclosed phone booths for taking phone calls.
Something I really like about all the furniture in this lounge is that there are plenty of international power sockets. Power sockets are built into the seats, underneath bench seating, built into tables, side tables…everywhere. All with power sockets, USB-A and USB-C ports. It’s really great to see as there are too many airport lounges without enough power sockets. Someone has definitely carefully thought about how travellers use the space and how this space can meet their needs.
Apron Views
There are panoramic floor to ceiling windows along the length of the Amsterdam oneworld Lounge, looking over the D Gates and adjacent apron.
The seats along the windows are a plane spotter’s dream, however due to the layout of Amsterdam Schiphol, the runways are located quite far away from the terminal. My flight into Amsterdam landed into and my departing flight took off from Runway 18R/36L, which is notorious as the furthest runway from the terminal with a 15-20 minute taxi each way. Pretty crazy when you think about the flight time to and from London is only about 40 minutes. So unfortunately, no takeoff views from this lounge.
oneworld Lounge Amsterdam Buffet
As I was visiting early morning, it was breakfast time, with a selection of hot, continental and European breakfast options on offer, as well as fresh fruit. The lounge buffet selection was small, but since the peak oneworld flight times from Amsterdam Schiphol are between 11am and 3pm, I assume the lunch and dinner options are much better.
Here was the Amsterdam oneworld Lounge breakfast buffet selection on my visit:
Hot Buffet
- Omelette
- Hash Browns
- Bacon
Continental
- Selection of Cereals
- Yoghurt
- Fruit Salad
- Olives
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
European
- Grilled Chicken Filet Slicees
- Mature and Semi-mature Cheese
- Selection of Breads and Pastries
Fresh Fruit
- Granny Smith Apples
- Bananas
- Watermelon
- Red Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Honeydew Melon
- Cantalope Melon
All in all, the breakfast selection was fine, albeit very basic. Even so, it is still a step up from the selection next door in the Aspire Lounge. This is probably because there are only three non-Schengen oneworld flights from Amsterdam (all British Airways flights to London) before 10:30am. I would like to visit again soon later in the day to see how the lunch and dinner menu shapes up.
oneworld Lounge Amsterdam Bar Selection
The oneworld Lounge Amsterdam boasts a staffed bar with a wide selection of cocktails, spirits, mocktails, wines and beer. As I was here first thing in the morning, the most important thing for me was that they had a proper barista coffee machine. Unfortunately none of the wait staff knew how to set it up, so I was told to wait for the bartender (who never came before I had to leave for my flight).
In the absence of a bartender, the oneworld Lounge has a selection of white wine and red wine down one end of the buffet. Next to the wines is a chiller with a selection of juices and soft drinks available. There are also coffee machines and a selection of teas dotted at coffee stations around the lounge.
Here is what I could see was available at the bar when staffed, later in the day, including this fantastic cocktail menu:
Beer (on tap)
- Heineken
- Heineken 0.0 (non-alcoholic)
- Texels Jutters Block
Wine
- Forte Alto Chardonnay 2024, Dolomites, Italy
- Forte Alto Pinot Grigio 2024, Delle Venezie, Italy
- Forte Alto Pinot Grigio Rosé 2024, Dolomites, Italy
- Forte Alto Merlot 2024, Dolomites, Italy
- Caillou Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Comté Tolosan, France
- Caillou Malbec 2023, Comté Tolosan, France
Spirits
- Courvoisier VS Cognac
- Cointreau
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Kahlua Liqueur
- Bacardi White Rum
- Ketel One Vodka
- Smirnoff Vodka
- Tanqueray Gin
- Bombay Sapphire
- Gordons Gin
- Jack Daniels
- Havana Club 3YO White Rum
Cocktail Menu
- The 25 (London Dry Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Bitters, Mezcal and Orange Grove essential oil)
- The 25 non-alcoholic (Gin 0.0%, Cranberry Juice, Soda Water)
- Espresso Martini
- Mojito
- Mojito non-alcoholic (Sprite, Lemon Juice, Mint, Soda Water, Lemon and Lime)
- Bloody Mary
- Ruby (Vodka, Cranberry Juice and Lemon Juice)
- Sapphire (Gin, Blue Curacao and Sprite)
- Emerald (Apple Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup)
- Cosmopolitan
- Aperol Spritz
- Nona Spritz non-alcoholic (Nona Spritz, Prosecco 0%, Soda Water)
A really great selection of wine, spirits and cocktails to suit all tastes. There is also a wide selection of soft drinks available, and plenty of non-alcoholic options including mocktails, juices and Fuze Iced Tea. It’s also nice to see that they offer barista coffee, but it’s unclear from what time the bar is staffed. I will absolutely need to try a 25 next time I am passing through Amsterdam Schiphol.
Bathrooms and Showers
The Bathrooms are internal to the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam, so no need to leave the lounge and re-enter. With blonde oak wall panelling, the bathrooms feel modern and luxurious, with stunning feature vanity sinks and luxury toiletries from Rituals’ Velvet Oudh Private Collection.
The oneworld Lounge Amsterdam also has shower suites within the lounge, also with Rituals toiletries. However on my short visit, I couldn’t find where they were located, so best to ask a member of staff.
How to Access the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam
The oneworld Lounge is located in the non-Schengen part of Amsterdam Schiphol. The following passengers are entitled to use the lounge:
- oneworld Business Class passengers
- oneworld First Class passengers
- oneworld Sapphire status holders (+1 guest)
- oneworld Emerald status holders (+1 guest)
This is in line with oneworld lounge access policy. No lounge scheme access or day passes are available.
Conclusion
I really like the design of the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam. The design and layout has been carefully thought out to make the most of the small space. I do think it will get absolutely rammed during peak periods daily between roughly 11am until 3pm (with another possible peak around 7-8pm in the evenings too).
I thought that the lounge food was basic, and could definitely be improved. Hopefully I will visit again soon later in the day to see what the lunch and dinner menu is like.
However, the oneworld Lounge Amsterdam is a nice step up from the Aspire Lounge next door, although I have not visited since it has been renovated. I recall the food and beverage offering being really poor, and the lounge was so full that it was one-in, one-out with a large queue stretching back to the elevators. Let’s hope it has improved, and I look forward to visiting again soon.
But for a calm space away from the crowds on the main terminal, it is lovely spot to relax and wait ahead of your flight.