Business Lounge
Business Lounge – Almaty (ALA)
There are few reasons to spend time at the modest Almaty airport: the flight schedule remains spartan, and the city is a brief 15 minute taxi ride away. Historically, the airport hasn’t offered premium ground services, though the situation is slowly evolving.
Located in the departure concourse immediately after security, the newly-remodeled Business Lounge welcomes most elite and business class passengers. Guests longing for additional privacy may splurge for the brand new CIP Transit Lounge and Capsule Hotel on the lower floor.
Business Lounge ALA design
The newly-redesigned Business Lounge at Almaty airport sports an elaborate décor with dark-wood bookcases and inviting couches. The immaculate space is a major step up from the public concourse area, though the finishes and color palette may feel like an acquired taste to the western eye. The white floor, red furniture, mirrors in the buffet area, complete lack of daylight, and harsh neon lighting clash inharmoniously; a more subdued ensemble would have been a better fit for Kazakhstan’s painful night-time departures to Frankfurt, Dubai, and China.
Business Lounge – Almaty (ALA)
The lounge is ostensibly sponsored by Chivas, with omnipresent branding and bottles on display throughout. Chivas might have helped fund the remodel, though the value of the partnership is otherwise unclear to guests: there is not a free drink in sight. In addition, there are several prominent advertising banners on the walls.
Patrons have their choice of comfortable couches, bar seating, or chairs in the center. All seats come with a coffee table, and power outlets are available along the walls. However, the club lacks a proper dining area and work space.
Privacy is the main feature of the Business Lounge at Almaty airport. The club is seldom used most of the time, and guests can look forward to a quiet experience with typically plenty of space to stretch out.
Business Lounge ALA amenities
The Business Lounge at Almaty airport provides virtually no amenities. Virtually all food and drinks come at a cost—to a certain extent, the club is operated as a private bar and snack shop. Air Astana and Aeroflot both display a sign apologizing for the lack of free food, though they don’t provide a voucher as compensation.
Business Lounge – Almaty (ALA)
The buffet’s meager offerings—a few snacks and nibbles—are left unattended and appear rather unappealing. For anything more substantial, head over to the bar; the lounge features a substantial menu, though prices are unattractive for the local market, and exclude a 10% service charge. A Caesar salad costs 2,500 Tenge and a chicken teriyaki 3,000 Tenge.
The drink selection is equally disappointing: the only complimentary options are filtered water and instant coffee. Espresso, soda, and all alcoholic drinks come at a cost.
On the upside, Wi-Fi is complimentary and fast. (The airport also offers free Wi-Fi, but only for passengers who have a local cell phone number.) There are also two computers in the rear of the lounge.
The club provides serviceable bathroom facilities, though showers would be welcome on sweltering summer days.
Business Lounge ALA bottom line
Business Lounge – Almaty (ALA)
The Business Lounge at Almaty is a lackluster but quiet and comfortable place to sit, with reliable and free Wi-Fi, and an enjoyable amount of privacy. The club lacks any noteworthy amenity otherwise, and is more akin to an overpriced airport restaurant.
The new CIP Transit Lounge and Capsule Hotel on the lower floor provides a more elegant environment with daylight, showers, and a more substantial selection of snacks, but the entry fee is generally difficult to justify.
- The comfortable seating.
- The private and quiet environment.
- The lack of daylight.
- The lack of complimentary food and drinks.
- The lack of showers.
You may have access to Business Lounge as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details.
Star Alliance
Access for eligible customers traveling on the following Star Alliance member airlines only.
 | Asiana (OZ) |
SkyTeam
Access for eligible customers traveling on the following SkyTeam member airlines only.
 | Air France (AF) |  | KLM (KL) |
Other airlines
 | Air Astana (KC) |  | Hainan Airlines (HU) |  | Ukraine International Airlines (PS) |
Business Lounge at Almaty (ALA) welcomes:
- Pay-in customers: relax at the lounge no matter what airline you're flying. Purchase access now and save time and money.
- Select premium customers and elite members departing on an airline served by this lounge (see Airlines tab).
Cards accepted
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Overall ratings
Worst wanna-be business lounge I’ve been to. Cheap, crappy sugary stuff, old veggies and fruits at the buffet, muesli, but no milk/yoghurt?? Any additional food selection contains the same overpriced snacks and beverages you can buy outside the lounge! On top of that: Their slogan at the entrance: „Not business as usual, but business as it should be“. Service: One guy watching movies instead of trying to sell you anything.