American Express opens largest Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

New Centurion Lounge Opens

American Express has opened a new Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the busiest airport in the world. At nearly 26,000 square feet, it is the largest lounge in the Centurion Lounge network. It features a locally-inspired menu from Atlanta-based Chef Deborah VanTrece, numerous seating options for guests to relax or work before their flight, outdoor terraces with views of the airfield, and The Reserve by American Express, a bespoke whiskey bar serving signature cocktails designed by Jim Meehan, Centurion Mixologist, along with a selection of classic and new American whiskeys. The new Centurion Lounge is located in Concourse E near gate E11.

“The new Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will serve travellers in one of the airports our Card Members visit most,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “It features amenities we know travellers enjoy, like outdoor terraces, and plenty of space to relax, along with local touches infused throughout the menus and design, that guests will remember long after their trip.”

Art and Design Inspired by “The City in the Forest”

The design is inspired by Atlanta’s reputation as “the city in the forest” and its abundance of trees as well as our Card Members’ passion for wellness. The main seating area features a 50-year-old olive tree and a 3,850-square-foot custom light sculpture that represents a forest canopy, creating a relaxing space for Card Members to unwind before their flights. Additionally, visitors can enjoy multiple outdoor terraces, a first for the Centurion Lounge network. These meticulously landscaped seating areas are equipped with heaters and fans for use year-round.

The lounge showcases commissioned artwork from local artists including a new, textural interpretation of the quintessential American Express watchdog by Lucha Rodríguez and a large-scale multimedia piece by Michi Meko that draws inspiration from Georgia’s landscape. Additionally, a 60-foot mural of abstracted leaf-like shapes, painted by Evan Blackwell Helgeson, stretches from the interior dining area to the exterior terrace.

Modern, Global Soul Food Curated by Atlanta’s Own Chef Deborah VanTrece

Chef Deborah VanTrece, owner of local Atlanta restaurants Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Oreatha’s At The Point and La Panarda, all of which can be booked on Resy, will bring her take on modern, global soul food to the lounge. Using flavours and techniques she discovered travelling the world as a former flight attendant and enhanced by her own family food traditions and fresh, local ingredients, the custom menu includes Black Eyed Pea Biryani, Za'atar Grilled Chicken Thighs with Green Tomato Chimichurri, and Twisted Soul Salad with Strawberry Peppercorn Vinaigrette. Additionally, there will be a dedicated food and beverage station with gluten-free and vegan options, including protein bites, salads, smoothies, and immunity booster juice shots.

“Atlanta has become such an interesting melting pot of cultures and cuisines. I’m thrilled to partner with American Express to bring food that celebrates these traditions, along with the best southern ingredients, to the Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” said Chef Deborah VanTrece. “Travel has inspired my approach as a chef and I feel blessed that, through this collaboration, I’ll be able to share my creative vision for food and hospitality with travellers from around the world.”

San Diego International Is the Most Connected Low-Cost Megahub Outside of Asia

14 North American Airports land in OAG’s Global Megahubs Index, including Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Atlanta (ATL) and Los Angeles (LAX)

Key Findings:

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is the most connected airport in the U.S. and third in the world. This is the fourth consecutive year ORD is the most connected Megahub in North America.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) ranks second in the U.S. and eighth globally for its connectivity.
Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) is now third in the U.S. for domestic connectivity, swapping places with Charlotte Douglas (CLT), which finished fourth.
Three Canadian airports are among the Top 50 Global Megahubs, including Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver International (YVR) and Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau (YUL).
London Heathrow (LHR) remains the most internationally connected airport in the world.

OAG, the world’s leading provider of travel data and insight, released its Megahubs Index 2019. The analysis reveals the Top 50 most internationally connected airports in the world and the Top 25 most domestically connected airports in the U.S.

Chicago O’Hare (ORD; Domestic Connectivity Index: 459) leads North America in connectivity for the fourth consecutive year and is the third most internationally connected airport in the world. On the busiest day in aviation this year, 83,580 domestic connections were possible within a three-hour window at ORD – 2% more than last year. United Airlines operates the majority of flights at O’Hare at 48%, down 2% from 2018.

You can now get cannabidiol CBD products at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Minute Suites is the first US airport concessionaire to be authorised to offer cannabidiol products, starting by the end of August 2019.  The cannabis-based products will be available at their Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) locations and are sold in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill, which means all products are among the forms of CBD that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now allows on flights.

These CBD products are said to be a wellness-based solution to the stress and fatigue caused by air travel.  “We are fortunate to pioneer the availability of CBD products in ATL,” says Chris Glass, Chief Operating Officer of Minute Suites. “CBD has proven effective in treating symptoms to many mental and physical health issues, as well as improving people’s overall well-being. It fits within our wellness mission.”

Minute Suites, which provides private suites inside security at airports for travellers to nap, relax or work before their flight or during long delays, offers many health-related products for purchase at the front desk, including high-end sleep masks and travel sheets, noise-cancelling headphones, neck pillows and more. CBD products will be among the options at the ATL locations.

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