Almaty Airport Lounges
Almaty International Airport · Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty International (ALA) is Kazakhstan's busiest gateway, and most of its eight lounges sit in the new international Terminal 2. Star Alliance and oneworld business lounges serve status and premium-cabin flyers, while Air Astana's Shanyrak Lounge and the Extime and Primeclass contract lounges sell pay-per-visit entry across the international, domestic and general-aviation terminals.
Content updated June 24, 2026
In a hurry? Skip the research.
The bookable lounge at ALA — or browse the full directory below.
Sourced, never sponsored.
This guide is compiled from airline, alliance and lounge-operator sources plus published access rules from Priority Pass and DragonPass — we haven't independently visited every Almaty International Airport lounge yet. Nothing here is a paid placement, and the guide is updated as lounges open, close, renovate or change access policies. Read more about how we verify lounge data.
Last updated June 24, 2026
Where we'd actually go.
Extime VIP Lounge
The Extime VIP Lounge in the new Terminal 2 is the standout pay-per-visit option at Almaty — the first Extime lounge outside France, run by the Groupe ADP and TAV partnership behind the Paris CDG lounges. It pairs a hot buffet and cooked-to-order meals with a full bar in a modern, state-of-the-art space, and anyone can buy in.
Air Astana The Shanyrak Lounge
Air Astana's The Shanyrak Lounge opened in early 2025 alongside the new International Terminal 2. It serves Air Astana Business Class passengers and Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members with a complimentary hot buffet, snacks and a full bar — the flagship home-carrier lounge at ALA.
Business Lounge IB Kanapiya
The Business Lounge IB Kanapiya sits on the second floor of the international terminal with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the tarmac and the Tien Shan mountains. Star Alliance Gold members and business-class passengers get a calm, contemporary space to decompress before a flight.
Extime Lounge International Arrivals
The Extime Lounge International Arrivals is a 24-hour touchdown space past passport control on the Terminal 2 mezzanine, with showers, snacks and refreshments. A pay-per-visit way to freshen up after a long international flight into Almaty before you head into the city.
Every lounge. 5 bookable right now.
The Shanyrak Lounge is Air Astana's flagship lounge at Almaty, opened in early 2025 alongside the airport's new International Terminal 2. An elegant, serene space for Air Astana Business…
The Extime Lounge International Arrivals at Almaty is a pay-per-visit touchdown space for travellers landing from international destinations, open 24 hours a day. It sits airside on the…
The Extime VIP Lounge opened in October 2024 in Almaty's new, state-of-the-art Terminal 2. It's the first Extime lounge anywhere outside France — the brand, from a Groupe ADP and TAV…
The Primeclass VIP Lounge Domestic Arrivals at Almaty is a pay-per-visit space for passengers landing on domestic flights. A practical place to pause and regroup after touching down, it…
The Primeclass VIP Lounge at Almaty's General Aviation Terminal is a pay-per-visit space for travellers flying privately, set steps away from the business jets rather than the main…
The Almaty Airport Business Lounge is the airport's oneworld option, in the departures area airside after security and open 24 hours. Floor-to-ceiling windows give panoramic runway views,…
The Almaty International Business Lounge sits on the first floor of the main terminal, just after passport control. Open 24 hours, it blends modern minimalism with subtle Kazakh cultural…
The Business Lounge IB Kanapiya sits on the second floor of Almaty's international terminal, a calm Star Alliance and business-class retreat above the busy concourse. Floor-to-ceiling…
Almaty International Airport lounges by terminal.
International Terminal (Terminal 2)
Almaty's new state-of-the-art international terminal opened in 2024 and holds most of the airport's lounges. Star Alliance and oneworld business lounges serve status and premium-cabin passengers airside after passport control, Air Astana runs its own Shanyrak Lounge for Business Class and Nomad Club members, and the Extime VIP and Arrivals lounges sell pay-per-visit entry to any traveller.
- —Largest cluster of lounges at ALA, in the modern Terminal 2 building
- —Star Alliance and oneworld business lounges for status and premium-cabin flyers
- —Air Astana's Shanyrak Lounge serves Business Class and Nomad Club Gold/Diamond
- —Extime VIP and Arrivals lounges sell walk-in pay-per-visit entry to anyone
Main Terminal & Domestic Arrivals
Alongside the new international terminal, Almaty's older main terminal continues to handle part of the traffic. The Almaty International Business Lounge sits after passport control on the first floor for Star Alliance Gold and business-class travellers, and the Primeclass VIP Lounge offers a pay-per-visit space for passengers arriving on domestic flights.
- —The Main Terminal business lounge is past passport control on the first floor
- —Star Alliance Gold and business-class tickets cover the business lounge
- —Primeclass runs a pay-per-visit lounge for domestic arrivals
General Aviation Terminal
Almaty's General Aviation Terminal handles private and business-jet traffic. The Primeclass VIP Lounge here is a pay-per-visit space with seating, snacks and refreshments, steps away from the business jets rather than the main commercial gates.
- —Serves private and business-jet passengers, separate from the main terminals
- —Primeclass VIP Lounge sells pay-per-visit entry
- —Convenient if you are flying privately rather than on a scheduled airline
How to get into lounges at ALA.
Access at Almaty splits cleanly between status-based airline lounges and pay-per-visit contract lounges. Star Alliance Gold and oneworld Sapphire status, or a business-class ticket, open the airline business lounges; Air Astana's own lounge serves its Business Class and Nomad Club members; and the Extime and Primeclass lounges sell walk-in entry to anyone. Most lounges sit in the new Terminal 2, so confirm whether yours is in the international, domestic or general-aviation area before you go through.
Walk-in day pass
The Extime VIP, Extime Arrivals and the two Primeclass VIP lounges are pay-per-visit, so you can buy entry without any membership or airline status. This is the most reliable route into a lounge at Almaty if you don't hold elite status or a premium ticket.
Star Alliance status
Star Alliance Gold members and business-class passengers on an eligible flight are welcomed at the Business Lounge IB Kanapiya in the international terminal and the Almaty International Business Lounge in the main terminal.
Star Allianceoneworld status
oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members, and business-class passengers on a oneworld carrier, are eligible for the Almaty Airport Business Lounge in the departures area, airside after security with runway views.
oneworldAir Astana lounge
Air Astana's The Shanyrak Lounge in Terminal 2 serves the carrier's Business Class passengers and Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members — the route in if you're flying Almaty's home airline in premium or hold its top loyalty tiers.
Air AstanaBusiness class ticket
A business-class ticket is the simplest way into the airline lounges at Almaty — it covers the relevant Star Alliance, oneworld or Air Astana business lounge directly, with no membership or status needed.
Star AllianceoneworldAir AstanaKnow before you go.
Lead with pay-per-visit
- —Without elite status or a business-class ticket, the Extime and Primeclass lounges are your way in — they sell walk-in entry to anyone.
- —The Extime VIP Lounge in Terminal 2 is the strongest pay-in option, with a hot buffet, cooked-to-order meals and a full bar.
- —If you're arriving rather than departing, the Extime Arrivals lounge lets you freshen up and eat before heading into the city.
Know the new terminal
- —Almaty opened a new state-of-the-art international Terminal 2 in 2024 — most of the airport's lounges are now in this building.
- —The older main terminal still handles part of the traffic and has its own business lounge after passport control.
- —Air Astana's Shanyrak Lounge and both Extime lounges are in Terminal 2, so match your lounge to the terminal you're flying from.
Match status to alliance
- —Star Alliance Gold opens the Business Lounge IB Kanapiya and the Almaty International Business Lounge.
- —oneworld Sapphire status reaches the Almaty Airport Business Lounge in the departures area with runway views.
- —A business-class ticket covers the relevant lounge directly, whichever alliance you're flying.
Plan around the layout
- —Most airline lounges sit airside after passport control and security — clear the checkpoint first.
- —The General Aviation lounge is for private and business-jet passengers, separate from the main commercial terminals.
- —Give yourself time at peak: Almaty's check-in and immigration can be slow on busy international banks.
Frequently asked, frequently answered.
We track eight lounges at Almaty International (ALA). Most are in the new international Terminal 2, including Star Alliance and oneworld business lounges, Air Astana's Shanyrak Lounge and the Extime VIP and Arrivals lounges, plus a Primeclass lounge for domestic arrivals and one in the General Aviation Terminal.
Yes. The Extime VIP, Extime Arrivals and the two Primeclass VIP lounges are pay-per-visit, so you can buy walk-in entry without airline status or a membership. The Extime VIP Lounge in Terminal 2 is the strongest pay-in option.
For most travellers, the Extime VIP Lounge in the new Terminal 2 is the best all-round choice — anyone can pay in, and it offers a hot buffet, cooked-to-order meals and a full bar. If you're flying Air Astana in Business Class, The Shanyrak Lounge is the flagship airline option.
Yes. Air Astana's The Shanyrak Lounge opened in early 2025 in the new International Terminal 2. It serves Air Astana Business Class passengers and Nomad Club Gold and Diamond members, with a complimentary hot buffet, snacks and a full bar.
Yes. Star Alliance Gold members and business-class passengers can use the Business Lounge IB Kanapiya in the international terminal and the Almaty International Business Lounge in the main terminal, both on an eligible flight.
Yes. The Extime Lounge International Arrivals is a 24-hour, pay-per-visit space past passport control on the Terminal 2 mezzanine, with showers, snacks and refreshments — useful for freshening up after a long international flight. Primeclass also runs a domestic arrivals lounge.
Terminal 2 is Almaty's new international terminal, a state-of-the-art building opened in 2024 that handles international flights and holds most of the airport's lounges, including Air Astana's Shanyrak Lounge and the two Extime lounges. The older main terminal continues to handle part of the traffic.
Yes. The Almaty Airport Business Lounge in the departures area is open to oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members and business-class passengers on a oneworld carrier. It sits airside after security and has floor-to-ceiling runway views.