Avianca Sala VIP

Gate 8 in T1 is your landmark for Avianca Sala VIP

The lounge sits just off the main hallway near gate 8 in T1, slightly against the passenger flow, so you can duck in and out fast on a short SAL connection. Hours run 05:00 to 22:00 daily, and it’s after security in the single-terminal layout, so once you’re in T1 you’re already in the right place.

Entry runs about $40 for a day pass, or you can get in with Priority Pass and several bank or Plaza Premium-style cards tied to Avianca and Amex. Most regulars treat it as a step up from the public concourse, not a destination lounge worthy of a long walk from distant gates. There’s a posted 3-hour stay limit on third-party access, which staff sometimes enforce during busy banks.

Layout is straight out of an airport cafeteria: rows of tables and chairs around a central food and drinks island, with almost no real privacy. One reviewer called it “cafeteria-style seating,” and that’s accurate if you’re picturing school-lunch vibes, not a quiet Star Alliance flagship. Power outlets are scattered but not at every seat, so if you see a free plug, take it immediately.

Food is the weak point. Mid-afternoon reports mention “nothing much in the way of food,” and even at meal times you’re usually looking at basic snacks, some pastries, and light cold items rather than hot mains. Portions disappear quickly when Avianca banks arrive, and restocking can lag, so don’t count on building a full dinner here before a late flight.

The bar setup is self-serve, but expectations should stay low: flyers consistently mention “very limited” liquor and wine, and local Pilsener often being the only beer on offer. If you care about cocktails or specific labels, buy them in the terminal before heading in. For many, the real draw is the unlimited high-speed Wi‑Fi, which tends to outperform the public SAL network.

There are no showers, which surprises some long-haul transit passengers coming off red-eyes from North or South America hoping to rinse off before a Europe leg. Bathrooms are standard and can get a line during the early-morning wave of departures between about 05:30 and 08:00, so plan a quick stop as soon as you arrive.

Regulars aim for the seats along the walls and in the back corners, away from the central island where people queue for coffee and snacks. Another local trick: don’t show up at 20:30 expecting to squeeze out a full 3-hour stay, since closing time at 22:00 is hard, lights-on and doors-locked. If your layover is under 90 minutes and your gate is near 8, pop in for Wi‑Fi, a beer, and a seat, then head back out once boarding shows “final call.”