Airports often pride themselves on their premium lounges, marketing them as havens of comfort where travelers can relax, recharge, and enjoy a taste of luxury before boarding. Unfortunately, Lounge 39 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s Terminal 1 does the exact opposite. Despite its bold “First Class” branding, the reality inside is crowded, smelly and it’s very hot in there.
Location
Lounge 39 sits inside Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s Terminal 1, positioned right next to the China Eastern Airlines lounge. Unfortunately, the contrast between the two could not be starker. While the China Eastern space is pleasantly cool and welcoming, Lounge 39 is stiflingly hot, overcrowded, and filled with an unpleasant odor. Rather than offering relief to weary travelers, it feels suffocating, as though you’ve stepped into a badly ventilated waiting room rather than an exclusive retreat.
Decor and Ambience
One of the most disappointing aspects of Lounge 39 is its design. Instead of conveying any sense of luxury or comfort, the décor feels cold, stark, and bunker-like. The lack of thoughtful touches or visual warmth leaves the impression of a utilitarian space meant to process crowds, not pamper guests. The branding claims this is a “First Class” lounge, but the atmosphere inside makes such a claim feel laughable—if not downright offensive.
Food and Dining
The dining options in Lounge 39 do little to redeem the experience. The buffet is lackluster, with mediocre selections that fail to impress either in taste or presentation. A noodle bar is available, which is one of the nice things in this lounge. However, the overall impression is one of bare-minimum effort, offering fuel but certainly not satisfaction. If this lounge was in Europe, it would be an ok one, but the bar is much higher in Asia.
Drinks and Refreshments
If you’re hoping to enjoy a decent drink before your flight, Lounge 39 has a bit of something for you. The drink options are a bit limited, but all in all sufficient. Of course, there is none of the indulgence or thoughtfulness one expects from a space claiming first-class standards, but I think that at this point it’s clear that this lounge is not even trying to live up to the “First Class” wording they use in Priority Pass.
Final Thoughts
The most galling aspect of Lounge 39 is its audacious “First Class” branding. The combination of stifling heat, unpleasant smell, bunker-like decor, mediocre food and scarce drinks is so far removed from anything resembling luxury that it feels dishonest. In fact, calling this space “first class” should be considered a crime against travelers. Shanghai deserves better, and so do the passengers passing through its major international hub. Until Lounge 39 undergoes serious improvements, this is one lounge that’s best avoided.
