Avianca Sala VIP

Avianca’s home lounge at SAL runs basic: Wi‑Fi, drinks, seats.

Avianca Sala VIP sits in T1 directly opposite gate 8, so it’s the default stop for many Avianca and Star Alliance departures off that pier. It doubles as a Star Alliance business lounge and also shows Amex Global Lounge Collection and DragonPass logos on the door. Access mainly goes to Avianca business passengers and elites, with third‑party passes sometimes capped at a 3‑hour stay.

Hours run roughly 05:30/06:00 to 21:00, but early flyers report the lights staying off until closer to 6 a.m. on some days. If you have a 05:30 check‑in and a 07:00 departure from T1, assume the lounge might not help with that first coffee. Regulars grab a backup espresso from a concourse café near the neighboring gates, then move into the lounge once staff open the doors.

Inside, the seating feels more cafeteria than club, with rows of tables and standard chairs spread across the single room near gate 8. Power outlets exist but not at every seat, so charging a laptop and phone may take a bit of scouting. Expect big windows over the apron instead of quiet nap rooms; there are no daybeds and no showers at all, which Upgraded Points flags as a miss for a hub lounge.

Food is the weak point: flyers describe the buffet as limited, especially around a 16:00 visit window. Think a few hot trays or finger foods rather than a full lunch or dinner. Portions can run low between refresh cycles, so plan to eat in the main terminal if you need a full meal. Terminal 1 has standard airport restaurants within a 5‑ to 10‑minute walk of gate 8.

The self‑serve bar keeps expectations in check as well, with a narrow alcohol lineup and typically one beer brand on offer. You’ll usually find basic spirits plus soft drinks and coffee machines, fine for a single drink before boarding. If you care about cocktail choice, you may be happier buying something at a bar elsewhere in T1 and treating the lounge as a quiet workspace.

What regulars actually do: use the Sala VIP mostly for Wi‑Fi, device charging, and a seat close to Avianca gates 5–10, and count on the concourse for proper meals. One last tip: for an evening departure around 20:30, be aware staff start winding down service well before the 21:00 closing time, so pour that final drink or grab a snack by about 20:15.