Sala Joan Olivert

Upstairs level stays cooler than the main floor at Sala Joan Olivert

Near Gate 12 in Terminal T, Sala Joan Olivert runs 05:00–23:00 and sits landside of most Schengen departures, with Priority Pass access plus pay-in at €39.45 per adult and €18.20 per child. It’s a contract lounge used by several airlines, so think “functional waiting room” rather than anything special, but still better than standing in a crowded gate pen for two hours.

Entry sits just off the main terminal flow near Gate 12, and you check in on the lower level before choosing seats downstairs or heading straight up the internal stairs. The downstairs zone is where most airline-invited and card guests stop, which is why FlyerTalk regulars call it “extremely hot and busy” during banked departures.

The upper floor is the trick: regulars head straight upstairs to grab seats along the windows with views of the Valencia runway and more power outlets. Reports say it feels noticeably cooler and calmer than the main floor, so if you see empty chairs up there, take them and stay put until boarding time.

Food is standard continental lounge fare: packaged snacks, pastries, simple cold items and a few basic hot trays depending on time of day, all included once you’ve paid the €39.45 day pass or walked in with Priority Pass. Drinks lean heavily on self-serve soft drinks, a coffee machine and alcohol; one BA forum poster even complained they “couldn’t find any still water,” so expect some hunting around the fridges.

Because this Aena-run space serves many airlines plus several pass schemes including Priority Pass, capacity hits quickly. The Air France contract-lounge thread notes that pass holders are refused once it’s full, so arriving right before big afternoon departures can mean a “come back later” even if your card says you’re eligible.

Hours are officially 05:00–23:00, but SkyTeam flyers on FlyerTalk mention practical access for their flights sometimes only starting around 10:30, which can catch early-morning AF/KL passengers off guard. If you have a 07:00–09:00 departure, don’t bank on using this as your breakfast spot.

What regulars do: they time arrival to about 60–90 minutes before boarding, walk in near Gate 12, skip the crowded downstairs seats, then go straight up the stairs to lock in a power socket and runway view. Final tip: if you hold both airline status and Priority Pass, use the airline invite first on busy midday banks and keep PP as the backup, not the other way around.