Malpensa Airport in Milan is the second-busiest airport in all of Italy and one of the country’s two intercontinental air travel hubs. If you’re traveling to or through Milan, this airport guide can come in handy.
Milan’s Malpensa Airport serves more than 20 million passengers each year. Because the airport has two terminals in separate buildings 10 minutes apart by car, understanding the airport’s layout and offerings can make a big difference when you’re making a connection or handling a layover.
Airlines at Malpensa Airport
Malpensa Airport has two terminals (labeled 1 and 2). Terminal 1, on the western side of the airport, is the newer terminal and handles virtually all major international flights arriving at and departing from the airport. Take a look at the airlines flying through Malpensa Airport.
Terminal 1
- Aegean Airlines
- Aer Lingus
- Aeroflot
- Aigle Azur
- Air Algerie
- Air Azul
- Air Baltic
- Air Berlin
- Air Bridge Cargo Airlines
- Air Cairo
- Air Canada
- Air Dolomiti
- Air Europa Lineas Aereas
- Air France
- Air Horizont
- Air India
- Air Italy
- Air Malta
- Air Moldova
- Air Nostrum LAMSA
- Air Serbia
- Albastar
- Alitalia
- American Airlines
- Arkia Israeli Airlines
- Atlas Global
- Austrian Airlines
- Azerbaijan Airlines
- BA CityFlyer
- Belavia
- Blue Air
- Blue Panorama
- BMI Regional
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Bulgaria Air
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- China Eastern Airlines
- CSA – Czech Airlines
- Cygnus Air
- Delta Airlines
- Eastern Airways
- EgyptAir
- El Al Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Eurowings
- Finnair
- Fly Ernest
- Flybe
- FlyOne
- Free Bird
- Germania Flug
- Germanwings
- GOL Transportes
- Hainan Airlines
- Hop!
- Iberia
- Icelandair
- Iran Air
- JetBlue Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Kuwait Airways
- LATAM Airlines
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Luxair
- Mahan Air
- Middle East Airlines
- Mistral Air
- Montenegro Airlines
- Neos
- Nesma Airlines
- Niki Luftfahrt
- Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Orange2Fly
- Pakistan International Airlines
- Pegasus
- Qatar Airways
- Rossiya Airlines
- Royal Air Maroc
- Ryanair
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines System
- Singapore Airlines
- Southern Air
- SWISS
- TAM Lineas Aereas
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways International
- Titan Airways
- Trade Air
- Tunisair
- Turkish Airlines
- Twin Jet
- Ukraine International Airlines
- United Airlines
- UTAir Aviation
- Uzbekistan Airways
- Vueling Airlines
- Wizz Air
Terminal 2
- EasyJet
- EasyJet Europe
Malpensa lounges — relaxation and serenity
If you have a layover at Malpensa Airport as part of your long-haul flight, or if your flight is delayed, you may be grateful to have access to one of these welcoming airport lounges.
Club SEA lounges
If you fly through Malpensa Airport frequently, you may want to join Club SEA, which hosts four airport lounges at Malpensa. Club members also get discounts on car rentals, parking, and restaurants in Milan. While some Club SEA lounges are open to premium passengers flying on specific airlines, all may offer day passes if space is available. All Club SEA lounges are in Terminal 1.
Sala Montale has a dozen shower suites available for passengers needing to freshen up, plus a family room for those traveling with children and a quiet room for those needing a little solitude. Packaged food is available, and business travelers can take advantage of a dozen workstations and meeting rooms.
Sala Monteverdi is a small, stylish lounge that features packaged food and showers. Finnair and Iberia premium passengers may use this lounge.
Sala Pergolesi also features packaged food and showers, and it allows passengers to stow their luggage. Royal Jordanian premium passengers have access to this lounge.
Sala Respighi is a very small lounge that has a bag drop counter plus a buffet of packaged food. First-class and business-class passengers on American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, LATAM Airlines, and Qatar Airways also enjoy access to this lounge.
British Airways Terraces Lounge
This lounge, open to premium passengers on British Airways and Middle Eastern Airlines, offers a cold buffet with lots of choices, a cappuccino bar, a library, and a business center for passengers with work to do. An enclosed smoking room is ideal for passengers who need to grab a cigarette before boarding their flight.
Lufthansa Business Lounge
This Terminal 1 lounge, which is open to all Star Alliance premium passengers from Schengen area countries, serves up craft cocktails and handmade coffee drinks, with pasta dishes prepared to order at lunch and dinner.
Casa Alitalia Piazza San Babila Lounge
Only passengers flying on Alitalia can access this lounge; those flying on Alitalia’s partners don’t have access. Cooked-to-order meals win raves from guests, and showers and a business center are also available. Guests may also book conference rooms for a small fee.
Hotels near Milan Airport – a place to get some sleep
If you need a quick stay near the Milan Airport, you have several options within easy reach, including one right inside the airport.
Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel
Located right inside Terminal 1, the Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel lets you fall right into bed as soon as you step off your flight. A full conference center attached to the hotel makes this a convenient spot for holding business meetings. Other handy amenities and facilities here include a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, beauty salon, spa, bar, and restaurant.
First Hotel
Just 1 km from the airport, First Hotel features soundproofed windows to make sure you can sleep without being bothered by airplane noise. A 24/7 snack bar lets you eat at all hours, and triple rooms are available if you’re traveling with your family.
Novotel Milano Malpensa Airport Hotel
The four-star Novotel Hotel is just 4 km from the airport, but it feels like you’re a world apart, since the hotel is surrounded by parks, golf courses, and other greenery. The hotel features a concierge, shops, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and a business center.
Crowne Plaza Milan-Malpensa Airport
At this hotel only 2 km from the airport, you can ask for rooms in the quiet zone, where all outside noise is kept to a minimum. The Crowne Plaza features a restaurant, bar, fitness center, and 10 meeting rooms of varying sizes.
Malpensa restaurants – traveling can be delicious
Both terminals at Milan International Airport have a wide variety of places to stop and get a bite to eat. Take a look at some of the options available to you in each terminal.
Terminal 1
Whether you’re looking for snacks, pasta, or something to drink, these Malpensa restaurants in Terminal 1 will take care of you:
- Burgery by Roadhouse: This table-service restaurant serves gourmet burgers, with veggie options and a children’s menu available.
- Caffè Milano: This spot serves Milanese specialties, including risotto alla Milanese, and also sells designer clothing and gadgets.
- Cioccolati Italiani: This chocolatier extends its artistry into gelato, coffee, and pastries as well as candy.
- Gran Cafe: Snacks and coffee for your flight.
- Pan Brioche: Grab-and-go snacks, coffee, and artisanal pastries add a sweet touch to your airport stay.
- Spontini: This airport outpost of one of Milan’s most popular pizzerias serves tasty Milanese pizzas that you can take on the road or eat comfortably in the restaurant.
- Briciole: Sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads are on the menu at this casual eatery.
- Chef Kitchen: A great spot if you have the time to sit and enjoy traditional Italian dishes.
- Gourmé: This traditional salumeria uses its excellent meats to make grab-and-go sandwiches.
- In Amore: Top-flight Italian coffee pairs with breakfast choices at this spot that also serves sandwiches and salads.
- Rossopomodoro: This slow-food restaurant uses high-quality ingredients to create sourdough pizzas and other Neapolitan dishes.
- Wagamama: This Japanese noodle bar puts a creative spin on its offerings.
Terminal 2
If you’re flying with EasyJet out of Terminal 2 Malpensa, Milan MXP Airport hasn’t left you stranded with nowhere to eat. You’ll find several eateries that duplicate the offerings in Terminal 1, including Briciole and Gran Cafe. In addition, check out these restaurants and snack bars:
- Pasta Chef: Freshly made pasta in a quick-serve format that helps you catch your flight on time.
- Pizza Chef: The sister restaurant to Pasta Chef, serving already-made pizza with a speedy ordering system.
- Time Cafe: Sandwiches, brioches, and snacks for those in a hurry.
- Juice Bar: This quick-serve spot features freshly made vegetable and fruit juices along with salads and sandwiches, and they pay special attention to food allergies and other health concerns.
- Deli & Cia: Self-service sandwiches, salads, and snacks ready for grab-and-go flyers.
- Hudson Cafe: This newsstand familiar to those who fly through NYC also features a good selection of sweets and coffee drinks.
- Mu: This popular Milan joint makes sure that Terminal 2 passengers have access to fine Italian burgers.
- Rossosapore: This sister restaurant to Terminal 1’s Rossopomodoro serves Sorrento-style pizza, cannoli, panini, saltimbocca, rice balls, and more.
Malpensa shopping – luxury and pop, side by side
Malpensa Airport offers two shopping plazas, or piazze: the Piazza del Lusso, which is devoted to the luxury brands that Milan is known for, and the Piazza del Pop, which focuses on Milan street fashion. The 13,000-square-meter shopping gallery, which is available to all passengers, is one of the largest airport shopping areas in Europe, featuring more than 100 shops and restaurants.
Both the Piazza del Lusso, which is designed as a modern-day interpretation of Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and the Piazza del Pop are on the first floor of Terminal 1, which also hosts some practical shops for travelers. Also in Terminal 1 is the Piazza del Gusto, featuring food and wine shops as well as most of Malpensa Airport’s restaurants.
Among the luxury fashion retailers in the Piazza del Lusso are Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Ferla, Bottega Veneta, Etro, Damiani, Hermès, Moncler, and Salvatore Ferragamo — not to mention the first Giorgio Armani shop ever to plant itself at an airport. If you’re looking for fine jewelry or watches, you may find true inspiration at Bulgari, DoDo, Bluespirit, Hour Passion, Swatch, Daniel Wellington, or Rolex.
Men can find more casual wear at the popular Boggi Milano, fine dress shirts are available at Camicissima, and men’s accessories fill the shelves at Womo. Women looking for a trendy or cosmopolitan look can drop in to Pinko, Harmont & Blaine, or Zara, and cutting-edge cosmetics are available at Bottega Verde.
Travelers in need of upgraded luggage or travel accessories should check out Carpisa Go and Bric’s, and fine Italian leather goods are also available at Coccinelle, Principe, Tosca Blu, Tod’s, and Fedon (with alternative bags at Save My Bag). Dazzling socks and other fun knitwear are available at Gallo, while fine cashmere and other luxury knits await you at Loro Piana and Falconeri. If you’re headed for the Mediterranean, update your swimwear at Vilebrequin.
Innovative ideas for home, kitchen, garden, and personal health abound at Dmail. Duty-free luxury items, including alcohol, perfumes, and electronics, are available at Dufry Last-Minute Shops, and Dufry’s fine food shop, Emozioni, features Italian delicacies packed for travel. You’ll also find a wide selection of electronics and gadget accessories at Unieuro and SBS. Pick up the reading material you need for your flight at Hudson, or prepare to jot down your mid-flight thoughts with notebooks, pens, and stationery from Moleskine.
While Terminal 2 doesn’t feature the vast array of fashion retailers present in Terminal 1, you can still find the basics. Look for duplicate outposts from Boggi, Dufry Duty-Free, Fedon, Tosca Blu, Unieuro, Hudson, and Gallo.
In addition, women can update their travel look with innovative cosmetics at Kiko, leather goods from Piquadro, and accessories from Parfois. Keep children occupied on the flight with toys and games from Toys 4 You.
If you do your shopping when you arrive at Malpensa Airport, take advantage of the Shop & Collect program, which holds your purchases for you until you’re ready for your departure from the city. Shoppers from outside the EU can head to one of the eight VAT refund desks located throughout Terminal 1 to receive a refund of taxes paid on goods bought both inside the airport and anywhere in Italy.
Your journey becomes easier when you can make your connections to and from the airport in comfort. Book a reliable Blacklane car service to complete the final leg of your travels in style.
