Last visit: December 2024
My rating: 6/10
Airport: Milan Malpensa (MXP), Terminal 1, Airside
Access: Priority Pass
This Malpensa lounge review covers the Montale Lounge at Milan Malpensa Airport and explains whether it is worth your time before departure.
The Montale Lounge is the main lounge accessible at Malpensa from Terminal 1. It is a relatively spacious lounge, characterized by large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runways, which provide constant natural light and a pleasant view of airport traffic—something that, in my personal view, represents one of the lounge’s strongest points. From an architectural and visual standpoint, the overall impression is positive: the space is modern and orderly, with a functional design and no particular stylistic flourishes, but coherent with the idea of a “generalist” lounge rather than a high-end premium one. The furnishings are nonetheless reasonably refined, and the sense of space is good.
The main structural weakness of the Montale Lounge lies in crowd management. Malpensa is the airport I most frequently use for international departures, and I have visited this lounge several times. During peak hours—especially in the morning and late afternoon—the lounge fills up quickly, reaching a passenger density that clearly undermines the quality of the experience. Seating availability is not always adequate for the number of guests admitted, turning a space conceived for relaxed waiting into little more than an area that is marginally quieter than the gate, but often uncomfortably crowded. This is a recurring issue, linked more to access policy than to the actual size of the lounge.
The food offering reflects this overall approach: basic and standardized, suitable for a snack rather than a proper meal. The selection includes cold snacks, packaged products, and a few hot items of modest quality, with a fairly repetitive rotation. The beverage offering appears slightly better, with a selection of Italian wines, prosecco, beer, and basic spirits, although—as I almost always depart in the morning—I have rarely made use of it. In this respect, the Montale Lounge sits marginally above the average of Italian generalist airport lounges, albeit without any particular ambition.
The services provided are the expected minimum: functional Wi-Fi, work areas with tables and suitable seating, though not always sufficient given the level of crowding. Power outlets are available but not widespread, and not always easily accessible from every seat.
Cleanliness and maintenance are variable. During periods of low occupancy, the lounge appears tidy and well maintained; as passenger numbers increase, however, clear shortcomings emerge in the speed of table clearing and in the management of common areas, including the restrooms. These are not extreme situations, but they are enough to weaken the perception of a truly “premium” space.
Malpensa lounge review: conclusion
Overall, the Montale Lounge fulfills a specific role: offering an alternative to the gate, with better visual comfort, less noise, and access to included drinks and snacks. It works well for short stays and during off-peak hours. It becomes disappointing, however, if regarded as a reference lounge for frequent travelers or for those with medium-to-high expectations, especially when crowded. It is a useful but unmemorable lounge, suffering from a clear gap between its potential and its operational management.
If you travel frequently and use airport lounges regularly, the American Express Platinum Card remains one of the most practical ways to obtain global lounge access through programs such as Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges. Using my referral link currently provides a welcome bonus worth approximately €560, which significantly offsets the annual fee.
If you are curious about how airport lounges actually work, and why they are becoming an increasingly central part of how people travel, I wrote a dedicated piece on the subject: Airport lounges: what they are and why they radically change the way we travel.
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