On November 8, 2020, America lost Alex Trebek, the host of the long-running quiz show “Jeopardy!”and a cultural icon. For 36 seasons “Jeopardy!” stimulated our minds and competitive spirts, when virtually everything else on TV put us on autopilot. In recent years, when famous figures questioned science and knowledge and attacked the truth, millions of us found comfort in Alex Trebek’s attention to detail and accuracy. On “Jeopardy”, facts matter and truth prevails.
“Jeopardy!” has been nightly appointment viewing for me since childhood, when it was on TV at dinnertime. After two decades of playing along from home, I tried…
Lounge: The Club SJC A15, Terminal A, Mineta San Jose International Airport
Date of visit: Februrary 7, 2020
Rating: A15: 4 stars out of 5; A8: 3.5
Pros: Wide array of seating options, nice shower
Cons: Crowded on a Friday afternoon, sparse hot buffet selection
This is the larger of the two clubs.
Lounge: №1 Lounge, South Terminal, London Gatwick Airport
Date of visit: March 12, 2020
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Pros: Bright main area, variety of seating options, wide assortment on menu, well-maintained amenities
Cons: None
America’s favorite TV quiz show “Jeopardy!” made headlines in 2019, its 35th season. First, there was host Alex Trebek’s announcement that he was battling stage 4 cancer. Then came James Holzhauer’s revolutionary $2 million run. I followed these stories eagerly, because I’ve been a fan for virtually all of my life. The show has been nightly appointment viewing since the first grade, when it was on TV at dinnertime. After two decades of playing along from home, I tried out for the show — and made it. I appeared on three episodes and was champion twice. The events of this…
Lounge: Airport Lounge World, Module B, Terminal 1, Munich Franz-Josef Strauss Airport
Date of visit: May 14, 2019
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Pros: Bright and airy space with comfortable seating, nice buffet and beverages, amenities galore
Cons: Far from Lufthansa flights
Note for Lufthansa passengers: if your layover is 90 minutes or longer, you can make a short stop at Airport Lounge World in Terminal 1 and return to Terminal 2 in time for your flight. Take the connector bus from T2, which stops at gates H17 and G83 and drops you off at T1 gate C08. Bus…
Lounge: Star Alliance, Terminal 1, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Date of visit: May 14, 2019
Rating: First floor: 4 stars out of 5; Second floor: 4.5 stars
Pros: Sleek interior, flavorful cold cuts and cheeses, good beverage selection
Cons: Middling warm buffet, crowded (on the first floor)
This is the tale of two lounges. The first floor provides comfortable seating, but it is chronically in short supply. Same goes for the buffet: for the last hour, of my visit some premium offerings like smoked salmon were completely gone. Head up the backstairs and you arrive to a whole new (spacious) world.
Lounge: Primeclass Lounge, Gates E, Zurich Airport
Date of visit: May 2, 2019
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Pros: Stylish and spacious interior, comfortable exterior space, top-notch food and beverage selections
Cons: Eventually you have to leave (to board your flight)
This is my first five-star lounge review. I popped into Primeclass for a short layover after an overnight flight from San Francisco. My connecting flight ended up being delayed one hour. Instead of disappointment, I felt joy as it afforded me more time to enjoy Primeclass’ first-class experience.
Lounge: Aspire, Terminal B, Zurich Airport
Date of visit: May 3, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Pros: Stylish and well-maintained interior
Cons: Limited seating
I had a short stay at this lounge before a 7:30 AM flight. Just enough time to pop a mini-baguette sandwich into my mouth and gulp down a cappuccino. I hope to return — and sample their lunch and dinner offerings.
Lounge: Club S.E.A. Sala Monterverdi, Terminal 1, Milan Malpensa Airport
Date of visit: May 8, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Pros: Great beverage selection, good cold appetizers, showers
Cons: Long walk from many Terminal A flights, space on the small side, hot food leaves much to be desired
I visited this lounge on a Wednesday early afternoon. The seating and dining space isn’t huge, but it wasn’t too busy at this time of day.
Technologist, traveler, photographer