Lufthansa Senator Lounge

The Lufthansa Senator Lounge at New York Newark airport (EWR) is one of Lufthansa’s newer lounges. Opened in 2014, it sports the airline’s latest design which allies elegance with functionality.

While the Newark lounges are significantly smaller than the flagship tri-level lounge complex at New York JFK, the investment reflects the importance of New York City in Lufthansa’s global network.

Lufthansa Senator Lounge EWR design

The elegant reception area sets the tone. The design is a true replica of the newest lounges at Frankfurt airport, with clean lines, strong branding, an illuminated desk, and a bouquet of orchids. It’s obvious at the first glance that Lufthansa had to deal with limited real estate, but the designers passed the challenge with flying colors. From the reception area, you’ll make a left into the Senator Lounge which welcomes First Class passengers, Lufthansa’s Miles&More Senator members as well as Star Alliance Gold passengers. Business class customers may use the Business Lounge to the right instead.

As we pointed out above, the décor will be immediately familiar to guests who have visited the latest Lufthansa Senator Lounges in Frankfurt or London. The space is surprisingly small, but it reuses every element of the design. The dominant feature is the central buffet area highlighted by droplet shaped ceiling lights. Immediately adjacent is a dining area with tables for two enhanced by fresh flowers. Behind a partition is a seating area with comfy chairs that each come with a side table, power outlet, and tall, narrow lamps that double as privacy dividers.

The neutral colors and quality materials foster a fresh, modern and cool vibe. There’s even Lufthansa’s signature back-lit picture of forest scenery, although due to space constraints the lounge lacks the individual recliners that typically face it.

A small portion of the dining area is cordoned off for HON members and First Class passengers. We understand the intention, but the whole setup looks awkward — not only does it fail to offer any enhanced privacy, but it somehow draws attention to high value customers. Perhaps ” reserved” signs on a few tables might have been more subtle and elegant.

The window lets natural light in, although there’s not much in terms of views, as the lounge faces a hallway leading to immigration and customs as well as a jetway.

Lufthansa Senator Lounge EWR amenities

What the lounge may lack in size, it makes up in terms of food and beverages. The Lufthansa lounges are the only Star Alliance lounges at Newark to offer hot food — enough or a full meal on the ground. Patrons will enjoy snacks, salads, sandwiches, soups, hot entrees such as roasted chicken and potatoes, desserts, and a fully stocked self-serve bar. Quality china and silverware complement the experience. Flights from New York to Germany might be painfully short, so the option to dine on the ground is welcome if you’d like to maximize sleep time on board.

Bathrooms are available in the adjacent Business Lounge immediately around the reception desk. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, Lufthansa does not offer showers at this location.

Other amenities include newspapers and magazines, as well as a very small business center next to the buffet behind a partition, with a couple cubicles and self-service computers.

Lufthansa Senator Lounge EWR bottom line

The Lufthansa Senator Lounge at New York Newark airport (EWR) is an intimate club with comfortable and cozy seating, a productive work environment, and a great choice of food and beverages. Unfortunately, the lounge fails to cope with peak-time crowds, and lacks showers.

Technically, business class passengers also have access to the far superior United Polaris Lounge, which sports ample real estate, shower suites, and a full-service restaurant; however, the Polaris Lounge is located in the separate Terminal C. If connecting from a United flight, visit the Polaris lounge prior to hopping on the shuttle to Terminal A.