Sala Montale Lounge, Milan Malpensa Terminal 1 (Evening Visit)
Date of Visit: March 2025
Time: Evening (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)

Location and Access Options

If you find yourself in Milan then check out our Milan weekend on a budget, the details of which can be found here. The Sala Montale Lounge is located airside in Milan Malpensa Terminal 1, serving non-Schengen flights in the B Gate section, near gates B50-59. You need to go through passport control to access this lounge. It is accessible to the usual Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Dragonpass members and Diners Club members. One-time access is also available for purchase at €35 per person.

Check-In Experience

Check-in was quick and efficient, with the receptionist scanning my Priority Pass card without any issues. The reception area is modern and sleek, and the staff were very welcoming.

Ambiance & Seating

The standout feature of the Sala Montale Lounge is undoubtedly its panoramic views. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide an excellent vantage point of the tarmac, making it a perfect area for plane spotting, especially as the sun sets over the airport. The lounge itself is decently sized, with plenty of seating. There’s a mix of armchairs, dining tables, and bar stool seating. I visited on a Tuesday evening and the space was virtually empty, making for a very peaceful couple of hours. I can only assume that the lounge was deserted as this was space was only for non-Schengen flights departing from terminal 1, requiring a passport to access the B satellite terminal.

Food & Drink

Unfortunately, the food selection was underwhelming, with mostly light snacks and finger food available.

• Cold Items: Small bites like pesto pastries, cheese and ham quiches, and a basic salad selection. While fresh and tasty, the offering was quite limited.
• Hot Option: The only hot dish available was dry turkey slices with bland cauliflower left in a metal container, which was disappointing and lacked any real flavor or appeal.
• Drinks: The beverage area had an excellent selection.
  • Alcohol: The lounge offered a solid variety of beers including Peroni, Peroni Cruda (which was my pre-takeoff tipple test), a dark lager and a few German lagers. There were several Italian red and white wine choices, along with Prosecco. The spirit’s selection was pretty impressive with all the usual liquor plus a self-serve spritz making stand! There was Aperol, Campari, Martini etc all available, so there were lots of cocktail making opportunities. This was definitely a highlight of the lounge.
  • Soft drinks: Coke, Coke Zero, Tonic water and juices were available. The coffee machines produced an excellent Espresso macchiato, which means I am yet to have a bad coffee in an Italian airport lounge!

Wi-Fi & Amenities

The Wi-Fi was stable and fast, making it easy to work or stream. Power outlets were scattered throughout the lounge, though not always conveniently placed near seats. Restrooms were clean but basic, and there were no showers available. A selection of hard copy newspapers and magazines were also accessible. I did spot a large smoking room with a huge TV inside, although this was not at all used during my visit. Departure information for every B Terminal flight was available on large TV screens throughout the lounge, which was a useful feature.

Pros:

• Stunning floor-to-ceiling windows with great tarmac views.
• Decent beer and wine selection.
• Fast Wi-Fi and clean facilities.

Cons:

• Food was very limited and underwhelming. Only one hot dish, which was dry and bland.

Final Thoughts

The Sala Montale Lounge at Milan Malpensa Terminal 1 is a great place to enjoy a drink while taking in the fantastic tarmac views. The self-serve Spritz station adds a unique Italian touch, and the selection of beers, wines, and prosecco is solid. However, the limited meal options mean you’ll probably need to eat elsewhere before your flight. If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere with a good drink in hand, this lounge does a solid job.

Staff: 7/10
Food & Drink: 6/10
Ambiance and Views: 8/10
The Airport Lounge Bro Rating: 7/10

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