Singapore Airlines does not have a Krisflyer lounge in Shanghai which is a tad surprising considering that SQ flies 4 daily flights to PVG, so First Class or Suite passengers are invited to use the No.71 Air China First Class Lounge located near gate D71, but on the second floor where there are other cafes and restaurants located.
You have to walk through this passageway which serves only the lounge before arriving at the desk where the Air China lounge dragons are located. A quick and perfunctory check of the boarding passes and passports are all that are required before one is shown the way to the lounge. Do not that business class passengers have a separate lounge on the other side of the desk – which spans two floors.
Having read some online reports prior to arrival, I wasn’t expecting much, but I would say that while it looks distinctly un-first class like, it is adequate to while away time whilst waiting for boarding. We were greeted by a sullen waitress who looked totally bored – and understandably so – as there was no one in the lounge. During our entire time there (approximately an hour give or take), we only saw 6 other patrons.
The drinks/bar counter greets one as you enter and fronts the lounge, with the buffet section behind it, and the seating area behind the buffet area. The lounge has a few loungers, tables, shower facilities, and an area which seems sadly neglected – probably the quiet zone.
The buffet is a mish mash of sandwiches, finger food, sushi – that has probably seen fresher days. Some savoury options were available, but mostly forgettable. What was a delight though, was that there was an ala-carte menu where you could order food from. Just note that you have to wait about 20 minutes for it to be delivered. There are probably too many items on the menu and I would think they could get by with just half the options available and improve the remaining offerings.
The WIFI is the lounge is terrible and we stuck with our data plans / VPN to keep ourselves entertained. As in most lounges, no announcements were made and you’d do well to keep an eye out for your boarding time. But I don’t think anyone will be sticking in the lounge any longer then they need to.
Once we had grabbed our refreshments, we quickly made our way back to the terminal to spend up the rest of our spare change and off to board. A functional lounge, but nothing more.
That Time Of The Year! 