SAN – Terminal 1 – Plaza Premium Lounge – Airline Lounge Review – San Diego

Terminal 2, San Diego International Airport, California

Introduction

This is my review of the Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2 of San Diego’s International airport.

The only other lounges at San Diego are operated by United and Delta.

On this occasion I was flying with Alaska Airlines – and despite being a OneWorld Emerald member (and the lounge allowing British Airways, American and Alaska Airlines in) – I was told I did not have access!

As annoying as this was – I resolved it using my Priority Pass.

Visited

October 2022 at 12:00

Opening Hours

The lounge is open daily from 05:00 to 22:00.

Entry Conditions

If you are flying on BA’s direct route from San Diego to Heathrow, you’ll have access via either your status or class of travel.

Seemingly if you’re traveling American or Alaskan, you’ll need to be members of their respective lounge club.

Access is also available via Priority Pass and Platinum American Express – amongst others.

Or the at the door price is $45.

How to Get There

After Security, follow the signs towards Gates 22 and 23, here you’ll see the entrance.

Layout

The lounge has a variety of seating and other areas. The lounge is light any airy, with views overlooking the airport’s apron and runway.

This lounge is pretty small, but offers some areas to relax in – in the form of casual seating.

Next to the bar, there is a fair amount of dining

Aside from dining tables (which in fairness all had charging close by), there wasn’t really anywhere to work – nor was there anywhere to sleep. Although, there was a sort of high-desk.

Food and Drink

Drinks

Soft drinks and coffee were self-service. The soft drinks machine was slightly questionable – with a handwritten note telling you what buttons to press!

If you wanted something stronger, the bar service offers an mount of complimentary and paid-for drinks. When lounge access is advertised at $45 – it seems steep to charge people for ‘premium’ drinks on top, and brings into question whether the $45 is actually value for money!

Food

All food was self-service.

Available was a limited amount of cold meats, cheeses, crisps, salad bits and so forth.

This was served from a self-service food station which always seemed to have a queue around it!

Wifi

I found the Wifi here to be pretty good, with no speed issues at all.

Showers

There is one shower, which is available by asking reception. However, it is in the disabled toilets, which had a note saying it was for employees only – so I’m not sure if the shower is proactively available for guests.

Conclusion

For somewhere to go before grabbing a domestic flight (which I was), this lounge is fine.

However, if I was traveling with British Airways on the 9-hour flight back to London – I think I’d be disappointed at being charged for drinks and with the food offering.

Additionally, with the domestic carriers, Priority Pass holders, lounge pass holders, pay-on-the-door people, and an A350 with 56 Business Class passengers – I can see this lounge getting overcrowded really quickly.