British Airways has completed the final phase of its Heathrow Terminal 6 lounge refresh

British Airways has completed the final phase of its lounge refresh, located at London Heathrow Terminal 5’s B gates, with a range of improvements for customers to enjoy ahead of their flight.

The airline has introduced new features in its T5B lounge for its premium customers*, including a live food preparation area with brand-new seasonal menu options. Customers can watch their meals being garnished with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

British Airways has completed the final phase of its lounge refresh at London Heathrow Terminal 5B, introducing a new servery area, deli station, updated furniture and a quiet zone

Customers who wish to help themselves to food can select from a range of hot and cold dishes that are available in the airline’s redesigned deli area. The new deli station offers more choice than ever before, including a range of breakfast treats, sandwiches and light bites.

Elsewhere in the lounge, the airline introduced new bespoke furniture, flooring and soft furnishings, to bring an elevated look and feel to the lounge. The airline has also introduced a quiet zone for those who wish to relax pre-flight.

The completion of the airline’s lounge refresh follows the unveiling of British Airways' exclusive Whispering Angel bar earlier in the summer. The airline’s customers travelling through its lounge can enjoy a chilled glass of the famous rose ahead of their trip.

British Airways also recently refreshed its First and Club (business class) lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 3. The Club lounge now features a new bar with new furniture and in the airline's First lounge customers will find an exclusive Concorde Bar and dining area.

The airline has also installed a brand-new bar in its First lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5. Customers will be able to order a range of premium drinks from bubbles to mocktails, all selected by the airline’s Master of Wine.

British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said: “We know that the airport experience is an important part of the journey for our customers, especially our premium customers, and we’re always listening to their feedback.

British Airways has also installed a brand-new bar in its First lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5, to elevate the premium experience for customers

"We want to ensure we offer something for everyone using our lounges, whether that’s providing an area for those who wish to relax, catch up on work or somewhere for our customers to enjoy our British Original-inspired dishes. We hope these changes go a long way in making a difference to our customers’ experience before their flight.”

On board, British Airways has introduced brand-new snack boxes to all its long-haul flights for customers travelling in World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy). This includes a selection of sweet and savoury treats for customers to choose from, such as chocolates, biscuits and popcorn. The tuck box will be passed through the cabin by the airline’s cabin crew colleagues and offered to customers as a mid-flight snack, offering more choice on board.

The airline recently announced improvements across its other lounges, with new furniture added to its Concorde Room and Arrivals lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5. Day beds will also be coming to its Concorde Room later this year. Elsewhere, British Airways is implementing new touches to its Edinburgh lounge in the coming months, as well as a brand-new bar and an enhanced menu offering in its Seattle lounge next year.

Most recently, the airline announced that it has created the ultimate martini in its Concorde Room, in partnership with mixologist Mr Lyan and designed by engineering experts, Bremont and CALLUM.

 

KLM Crown Lounges now open at Toronto and Houston airports

KLM recently opened two renovated Lounges at the airports of Toronto, Canada and Houston, Texas, United States. Together with the lounges at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam, these are KLM’s only Crown Lounges worldwide. Rejuvenation of these lounges forms part of KLM’s broader strategy: “Run a great airline for our customers and our people”.

With the renovation of the two lounges into KLM Crown Lounges, KLM wants to offer its customers the most attractive lounges in the world, by emphasizing comfort and convenience, all in a recognizable and trusted KLM environment.

Comfortable and stylish

Comfortable, stylish and ergonomic furniture and fixtures made of sustainable elements and circular materials were chosen for the refurbishment of both lounges. The lounges are recognizable thanks to the KLM blue and the use of warm, natural colours. Additionally, as is also the case in the lounges at Schiphol, KLM’s Delftware miniature houses are on display. Several seating areas have been created for customers in the lounges. They can choose to work quietly in a more secluded (work) area or opt for more activity elsewhere in the lounge. Customers can also enjoy what the buffet has to offer, with customized options depending on the time of day. 

Festive opening

Many people attended the festive openings of both lounges, including travel agency employees, influencers, US and Canadian (travel) media, airport representatives, Delta colleagues and AFKL partners. Marleen van de Pol, VP of Customer Experience performed the official opening of both lounges. 

Marleen van de Pol, VP Customer Experience said: "We’re very pleased with the positive response from customers, agents and partners who celebrated the openings with us. Investment in signature lounges at international stations are the cornerstone of elevating the premium customer experience, aligning perfectly with our commitment to investing in our new World Business Class and our recently introduced Premium Comfort cabin. Branded lounges add to the connection with our customers in delivering our brand promise of creating memorable experiences." 

KLM offers 81 flights every week to American destinations, including New York, Atlanta, Austin, Washington, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Houston is visited 6 times a week. KLM flies 36 times a week to the 5 Canadian destinations Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal. Toronto is visited 13 times a week.

United Opens Two New Clubs in Denver, Including Its Largest Club in the World

New 35,000 sq.ft. United Club at Denver International Airport debuts as the airline's largest club, coinciding with the airline's nearly $1 billion investment to improve the customer experience in Denver

United today announced the opening of its largest United Club at Denver International Airport. This new, 35,000 sq.-ft. club is located in the B Concourse, providing a modern take on the United Club experience with a new feature bar offering beer flight boards to taste a seasonal rotation of premium local and craft beers. This club is the second in a series of new locations to open in Denver this summer; last month, a new 24,000 sq.-ft. United Club opened in the A Concourse, featuring a luxurious ski lodge aesthetic and thoughtful design touches inspired by the Colorado outdoors.

The air carrier will open an additional revamped club location in 2025, and once open, Denver International Airport will feature more than 100,000 sq.-ft. of United Club space – nearly the size of two football fields – across three United Club locations and United Club Fly, a unique grab-and-go concept offering enhanced food and beverage for United Club members with quick connections. With more than two-thirds of United customers connecting to other places in Denver, the new clubs are expected to accommodate more than double the number of travelers than before.

The opening of these new clubs comes on the heels of United unveiling a new club concept, United Club Fly^SM, in Denver last year, that is a first-of-its-kind concept for a U.S. airline. Since opening, United Club Fly has been visited by more than 100,000 travelers who've enjoyed the elevated convenience to grab food or beverages on the way to their flight.

"The new United Club locations are designed and operated to reflect feedback from our customers and match the way their travel has evolved in recent years," said Alexander Dorow, United's Head of Clubs & Lounges. "We're growing our hub in the Mile High City, and the expansion and renovation of United Club locations represents our commitment to Colorado and our customers' experience."

B Concourse United Club

Located on the eastern side in the B Concourse near gate B44, this new club location touts 35,000 sq.-ft. across three levels and more than 600 seats, making it the largest club in United's network. The space reflects Denver's beer scene with brewery-inspired elements and a new beer tasting experience at the feature bar on the mezzanine level. At the feature bar, travelers can choose from a seasonal rotation of 10 local and craft beers on tap, with selections from Colorado breweries New Belgium, Great Divide, Denver Beer Company, Upslope, among others, to enjoy from United customized tasting boards and beer glasses. The feature bar area is distinguished by five Vestaboards displaying personalized messages and menu offerings and a custom, vibrant blue mural by visual artist Charlo Garcia Walterbach that explores the joy and discovery of new places that travel brings to life.

Boston’s nautical history inspires Delta Sky Club’s luxurious new BOS-E lounge

Delta Sky Club is anchoring its newest lounge at Boston-Logan Airport in the city's nautical history, offering sweeping views of the historic harbour and a 21st-century skyline. The nearly 21,000-square-foot Club, which seats more than 400 guests, will operate on the international E Concourse alongside two Clubs on Concourse A.

The lounge design takes inspiration from the famous harbour itself, incorporating colours and textures reminiscent of Boston’s nautical history.  

The Club’s washed oak motif nods to the weathered wood of a ship, giving customers the feel of being aboard a classic sailing vessel. Even the shape of the Club mimics the graceful curvature of a sailboat; its elongated profile complements the building’s architecture and is divided by wood and metal arches that transform the expansive square footage into intimate, inviting spaces. A calming colour palette with accents of navy, teal and terracotta pulls from the signature brick of the Boston skyline, paired with a gradient sunset over the jewel-toned harbour. 

Perhaps the most eye-catching element of the Club is the premium bar, which features a layered, champagne-toned mesh ceiling overhang and a dramatic backlit beverage display.  

Guests of the lounge will enjoy premium food and beverage options that Delta Sky Club customers have come to know and love. In addition to the seasonally inspired selection of fresh items served at the buffet, the BOS-E Club will serve regional specialities like New England clam chowder and Boston-based Necco candy wafers. 

The lounge is outfitted with a variety of seating options — including six soundproof phone booths — to accommodate customers looking to work, socialize or simply take in the views. Club restroom amenities have been optimized for guest comfort and privacy and include a family room and five shower suites (two of which are ADA compliant). In addition, this space was designed with sustainability in mind – the Club is LEED-Silver certified.  

“While no two lounges are alike, the layout and Boston-inspired details in this Club make it feel truly one-of-a-kind,” said Claude Roussel, Managing Director – Delta Sky Club. “From the moment our guests enter the lounge, we want them to feel transported — not just by curated design, but by the care and hospitality they experience from our ambassadors.” 

Beginning Aug. 15, the E Concourse Club will be open to customers from 1:30-10:45 p.m. (the lounge closes at 10:15 p.m. on Wednesdays).  

British Airways has opened its exclusive Whispering Angel rosé bar for customers travelling through its lounge at the B gates at London Heathrow Terminal 5

British Airways’ highly anticipated Whispering Angel bar, located in the airline’s lounge in Terminal 5 at the B gates, has opened in time for the peak summer season.

British Airways is the first airline to have a bespoke Whispering Angel bar, allowing customers to enjoy a chilled glass of the infamous rosé that originates in the Provence vineyards of Château d’Esclans before their flight.

The opening of the exclusive bar marks the first phase of British Airways’ continued refresh of this lounge over the summer months, which will include new and reupholstered furniture across the lounge, as well as a new layout.

Across the rest of the airline’s Club (Business Class) lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick, eligible British Airways customers can enjoy The Pale rosé, which is produced by the same winemakers as Whispering Angel. Whispering Angel is currently available in British Airways’ Concorde, First and Club lounges.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “We are really excited to open the doors on our new original Whispering Angel bar, just in time for the start of the summer season. What’s more, the opening coincides with the exciting news that customers now have the option to pre-order Whispering Angel across all short-haul flights, to take the experience with them, from the ground to the skies.”

The Château d'Esclans team said: “We are ecstatic to finally be able to share our beautiful Whispering Angel bar with British Airways’ customers, and bring a touch of glamour to Heathrow as the world’s most glamorous rosé. We look forward to travellers being able to enjoy a delicious glass of Whispering Angel before they fly, in a space that really embodies the effortlessly chic nature of our brand.”

Elsewhere, the airline has introduced a rosé in its First cabin with Whispering Angel’s big brother, Rock Angel, now available for customers* and boasting more structure than its younger sibling. Customers travelling on short-haul flights can also get a taste of Château d’Esclans’ creations, as Whispering Angel’s Provence rosé is now available to pre-purchase through the airline’s newly branded High Life Café** (previously Speedbird Café), giving customers the option to taste a hint of summer whether they are travelling to Europe or further afield.

The Whispering Angel partnership adds to an expansive premium drinks offering, following British Airways’ appointment of a full time Master of Wine, one of only 415 in the world and believed to be the only one appointed by an airline. In elevation of the onboard wine offerings to customers, in March 2023 British Airways introduced four new English Sparkling Wines served on board. Each wine is available on a quarterly rotation, changing every three months to customers travelling in Club World, including the current Champagne resident Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne, and now an exclusive English Sparkling Wine option.

Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel boasts a delicate Provençal pink hue, spoiling customers with sun-kissed creamy flavours of peach and raspberries, with refreshing citrus undertones and a smooth, dry finish.

Alaska Airlines reopens renovated D Concourse Lounge in Seattle

Alaska Airlines is all set to welcome back members and passengers to its popular D Concourse Lounge at the carrier's hometown airport of Seattle, which has been renovated to offer 50% more seating and improved amenities. 

Alaska Airlines has doubled the footprint of lounges with an investment of some $30 million for improvements over the past five years. The airline said its focus was on producing fresh upgrades and new amenities to make the spaces bigger and better than ever. 

The renovated lounge has a new barista station located on the first level so members and guests can grab a quick, hand-crafted espresso beverage or brewed coffee to go (a big request by travellers on their way to their gate), or they can simply hang out for a bit. 

"The revamped D Concourse Lounge in Seattle will be a huge hit with all those travellers who visit. We added thoughtful touches – from being able to quickly grab a delicious hand-crafted espresso beverage to more comfy chairs to relax in."  said Sangita Woerner, senior vice president of marketing and guest experience at Alaska Airlines.

The redesigned D Concourse Lounge features artwork by the influential Coast Salish artist Louie Gong (Nooksack). His unique style merges traditional Native art with influences from his mixed heritage and urban environment to create work that resonates widely across communities and cultures.

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Cathay Pacific reopens Vancouver International Airport lounge

Cathay Pacific and Vancouver International Airport Authority reopened the Cathay Pacific Lounge on 16th June, 2023 in time for flight CX865 on 17th June, as Hong Kong’s home airline continues to add more flights to its global schedule.

Located in the International Terminal of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), between departure gates D70 and D71, the lounge originally opened in May 2016. The lounge measures 510 square metres, with a seating capacity of 108 people offering a supremely comfortable exclusive environment of understated luxury in which passengers can relax before their flight out of Vancouver.

 

Designed by Studioilse, the London-based design firm led by Ilse Crawford, the lounge features warm, natural materials like wood and stone, alongside softened acoustics and lighting, to create an environment that helps passengers feel relaxed by engaging the senses and focusing on well-being as a core principle.

 

British Airways to open a pink Whispering Angel rosé bar......

British Airways has released plans for an exclusive Whispering Angel rosé bar located in the British Airways lounge near the B gates at London Heathrow Terminal 5 (Terminal 5B). BA will also be refreshing this lounge over the coming months

Whispering Angel bespoke lounge bar will exclusively offer Caves d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel rosé and will be located in the airline’s lounge at Terminal 5 B at London Heathrow - often referred to as one of Heathrow’s best-kept secrets.

The bar, coloured pale pink to emulate the light tones of the rosé served and is expected to open this summer which will coincide with a refresh of the airline’s B gates lounge which will include new and reupholstered furniture, as well as a refreshed layout.

Across the rest of BA's business class lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick, eligible British Airways’ customers can enjoy The Pale rosé, which is produced by the same winemakers as Whispering Angel. Whispering Angel is currently available in British Airways’ First and Club business class lounges.

Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel boasts a delicate Provençal pink hue, spoiling customer with sun-kissed creamy flavours of peach and raspberries, with refreshing citrus undertones and a smooth, dry finish.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “Our customers are already telling us how much they enjoy the Whispering Angel rosé we are serving in our lounges, so we are thrilled to be opening an exclusive Whispering Angel bar. We truly believe this will be a massive hit with customers and we are excited that its introduction will coincide with a newly refurbished lounge in the satellite at London Heathrow Terminal 5 B gates.”

New Aspire | Air Canada Café opens today at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Air Canada has opened its newest Air Canada Café, in collaboration with Aspire, Swissport's premium lounge brand at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) for eligible Air Canada customers.

The new Aspire | Air Canada Café marks the 27th lounge in Air Canada's lounge network and the sixth Canadian location for Aspire. It is the only airline lounge at the Toronto downtown airport/ 

The 133-seat modern lounge at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's domestic departures terminal and offers quiet workspaces, a private meeting room and premium food and drinks to stay or go are among the complimentary amenities in the café-style executive lounge.

"We know how much Air Canada customers, who travel frequently within the busy Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal corridor, really value the convenience of flying out of Billy Bishop," said Jacqueline Harkness, Managing Director, Product & Services, Air Canada. "Our new Aspire | Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop builds upon the success of our first Air Canada Café at Toronto-Pearson, and is just one more way Air Canada continues to invest in the best lounge network in Canada."

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Air Canada on our first joint lounge concept," said Charles Roberge, CEO of Swissport Canada. "With this new addition, we continue to expand our lounge network in Canada and reinforce our commitment to providing exceptional services to our customers worldwide. Our newest lounge is Toronto's first Aspire Lounge and aims to be the first LEED-certified lounge in Swissport's international network of 63 Aspire lounges."

Qatar Airways welcomes passengers to the new Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden

Qatar Airways welcomes passengers to the new Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden 

This new lounge experience is designed to immerse passengers in a tranquil environment filled with natural light, exotic plants and elegant furnishings

Qatar Airways has opened the new Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha, named ‘The Garden’ which overlooks ‘The ORCHARD’, surrounded by renowned retailers and restaurants while offering uniquely designed relaxation spaces and areas to socialise.

An exclusive sanctuary available for Qatar Airways Premium Passengers, The Garden stretches over an area of 7,390 square metres and can accommodate up to 707 passengers. It features 24 quiet spaces, each designed to offer optimum relaxation available free of charge for the first six hours, and also features seven spa treatment rooms. 

Accessible for passengers travelling in Premium cabin, the new lounge offers a range of premium facilities that fulfil the needs of business, leisure and family travellers with numerous dining options, relaxation rooms, a fitness studio, pedicure & manicure stations, spa facilities, dedicated private spaces, recreational areas and a nursery. The lounge has been influenced by modern aesthetics incorporating natural light in its distinct design, providing passengers with an immersive experience reflecting The ORCHARD below.  

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, stated: “At Qatar Airways, excellence is embedded in the core of our brand, and as we continue to evolve our offerings, we choose to provide our passengers with the very best experiences in aviation and hospitality. Passengers can now enhance their journey to a new level at our newly opened Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport. This world-class lounge showcases a sophisticated way of travel, centred in comfort, wellness and nature. I welcome our premium passengers to experience this spectacular addition to our signature lounge portfolio.”

Delta Sky Club raises the bar with nature-inspired third lounge at MSP Airport

Delta Sky Club customers traveling through Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) can relax and recharge in a stunning new nature-inspired oasis on the upper level of the recently expanded G concourse.  

The airport’s third Club adds more than 21,000 square feet of premium space to Delta’s lounge portfolio, making it by far the largest at Delta’s Minneapolis hub. The MSP-G Club is the second lounge opened this year, and the third successive new location in the Midwest (following Chicago and Kansas City).  

With seating for more than 450, customers visiting MSP-G Club will have ample space whether they’re looking to work, socialize or simply take in the views of the airfield. Eco-conscious guests can feel good about the Club’s environmental impact: the Club is moving to over 90% waste diversion, meaning a large majority of Club waste is diverted from landfills via recycling or composting. 

Inspired by Minnesota’s designation as the “land of 10,000 lakes,” the MSP-G Club’s design concept features a rich colour palette evoking summer sunsets at the lake – earth tones like sage greens paired with warm copper and amber hues. The Club includes a year-round, all-weather Sky Deck® with seating for 110 guests. This first-of-its kind Sky Deck is bookended by two completely open-air elements — one of which features a living plant wall, with seasonal foliage refreshed three times annually—and is suffused with natural light streaming from the overhead skylight. Guests unwinding in this unique space can also enjoy a drink from one of the Club’s premium bars, located on the deck. 

Delta's MSP G-Club includes a year-round, all-weather Sky Deck® with seating for 110 guests.

Guests unwinding in the year-round, all-weather Sky Deck® at Delta's MSP G-Club can enjoy a drink from one of the Club’s premium bars, located on the deck.

Delta Sky Club opens only airline lounge in newly transformed Kansas City airport

The Delta Sky Club network is deepening its Midwest ties on Tuesday with the opening of its Kansas City International Airport (MCI) lounge, the only carrier lounge at the recently transformed airport. 

MCI’s $1.5 billion overhaul consolidated all airport operations into a state-of-the-art, 39-gate terminal. Customers at the new MCI will enjoy a completely revamped, fully accessible experience from curb to gate, with a state-of-the-art lobby; a new, enlarged security checkpoint; local concession options; gates equipped with the most up-to-date technology; and more.  

The Delta Sky Club network is deepening its Midwest ties on Tuesday with the opening of its Kansas City International Airport (MCI) lounge, the only carrier lounge at the recently transformed airport. 

The Kansas City Club is the second in a string of lounge openings in the Midwest, with the new Chicago O’Hare Club opened in October 2022 and a third Minneapolis location planned for April 2023. The remainder of 2023 will be ambitious for Delta Sky Club, with eight total planned Club openings and expansions. 

Kansas City’s airport transformation provided the perfect opportunity for Delta to grow its presence in the area, providing another touchpoint for Midwest customers and strengthening the airline’s relationship with the “City of Fountains.” 

Qantas hopes to entice back premium passengers with new refurbished lounges will lead to profitability.

The Australian carrier Qantas has announced it will significantly enhance its network of lounges in Australia and overseas, elevating the pre-flight and transit travel experience for customers to a new level of luxury at key destinations.

Qantas hopes enticing back premium passengers with new refurbished lounges will lead to profitability.

The $100-million investment features four brand new lounges, including a new flagship First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport, and an extensive upgrade program of existing international and domestic lounges, including:

New First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport

Re-opening of a refreshed Hong Kong International Lounge

Complete refurbishment and expansion of International Business Lounge in Sydney

Updated and expanded International Business Lounge in Melbourne

New Hobart Qantas Club

New Broome Regional Lounge with double the seats

It’s the single biggest investment in the Qantas lounge network in more than a decade and comes as the airline expands its Domestic and International routes and starts to take delivery of next-generation aircraft. 

The $100-million investment in lounges is phased over three years and is included in the Group’s existing capital expenditure forecast.

The national carrier has an extensive lounge network, including 42 in Australia (12 of which are in regional destinations) and 9 overseas.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the faster-than-expected recovery in travel demand meant the airline could accelerate investment in its award-winning lounge network.

“Being back in profit means we’re back to making long-term investments for our customers. That started with the major aircraft order we announced last year and now we’re building on that with a major investment in our lounges,” said Mr Joyce.

“Millions of people a year visit our lounges and they are typically our frequent flyers who travel with us the most, so anything we do to improve them is a way of saying thank you to our most loyal customers.

“We have three new and upgraded lounge spaces due to open this year and the pipeline we’re announcing today will take us through to 2025.

“London is one of the most important destinations on our network and it’s the perfect location for a First Lounge, especially with our direct Project Sunrise flights on the way. Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports so we’re very pleased to be working with them to secure a great space in the terminal for an additional lounge,” Mr Joyce added.

Subject to agreement with Heathrow Airport and UK regulators, the luxury London First Lounge is expected to feature direct access to boarding gates, sweeping views of the airfield, a focus on wellbeing features and an unrivalled dining experience. The targeted opening date will align with the first Project Sunrise flights direct to Sydney.

The Qantas global lounge upgrade program includes:

Qantas will significantly enhance its network of lounges in Australia and overseas....

The Australian carrier Qantas has announced it will significantly enhance its network of lounges in Australia and overseas, elevating the pre-flight and transit travel experience for customers to a new level of luxury at key destinations.

The $100-million investment features four brand new lounges, including a new flagship First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport, and an extensive upgrade program of existing international and domestic lounges, including:

New First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport

Re-opening of a refreshed Hong Kong International Lounge

Complete refurbishment and expansion of International Business Lounge in Sydney

Updated and expanded International Business Lounge in Melbourne

New Hobart Qantas Club

New Broome Regional Lounge with double the seats

It’s the single biggest investment in the Qantas lounge network in more than a decade and comes as the airline expands its Domestic and International routes and starts to take delivery of next-generation aircraft. 

The $100-million investment in lounges is phased over three years and is included in the Group’s existing capital expenditure forecast.

The national carrier has an extensive lounge network, including 42 in Australia (12 of which are in regional destinations) and 9 overseas.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the faster-than-expected recovery in travel demand meant the airline could accelerate investment in its award-winning lounge network.

“Being back in profit means we’re back to making long-term investments for our customers. That started with the major aircraft order we announced last year and now we’re building on that with a major investment in our lounges,” said Mr Joyce.

“Millions of people a year visit our lounges and they are typically our frequent flyers who travel with us the most, so anything we do to improve them is a way of saying thank you to our most loyal customers.

“We have three new and upgraded lounge spaces due to open this year and the pipeline we’re announcing today will take us through to 2025.

“London is one of the most important destinations on our network and it’s the perfect location for a First Lounge, especially with our direct Project Sunrise flights on the way. Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports so we’re very pleased to be working with them to secure a great space in the terminal for an additional lounge,” Mr Joyce added.

Subject to agreement with Heathrow Airport and UK regulators, the luxury London First Lounge is expected to feature direct access to boarding gates, sweeping views of the airfield, a focus on wellbeing features and an unrivalled dining experience. The targeted opening date will align with the first Project Sunrise flights direct to Sydney.

The Qantas global lounge upgrade program includes:

American Express opens new Centurion lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

American Express has opened a new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The new lounge is nearly triple the size of the original Centurion Lounge at SEA and now located in the newly created mezzanine level of the Central Terminal post-security. 

It features spectacular views of the airfield and iconic Olympic mountains, ample room for guests to relax or work before their flight, and a locally-inspired menu from Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar Executive Chef Kristi Brown. Plus, the new location includes “Blue Roast by American Express,” a coffee bar serving speciality coffee, espresso drinks, and cold brew from local Seattle roaster Caffè Umbria, and a one-of-a-kind mural of the Seattle skyline made from coffee beans by celebrated artist Harold Caudio.

“The new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport delivers exactly what Card Members want while travelling – more space to relax and recharge and fantastic food and drink,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “Inspired by the vibrant Seattle dining and coffee scene, this lounge showcases the best of what Seattle has to offer, including a custom menu from the talented Chef Kristi Brown and our first full-service coffee bar with locally-roasted beans Seattle is known for.”

A Taste of “Seattle Soul”

Chef Kristi Brown, James Beard Award semifinalist and owner and chef of Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar, will bring her signature “Seattle Soul” cuisine to the lounge. Her cuisine uses fresh local ingredients honouring traditional soul food and flavours from communities represented in the Pacific Northwest, including Southeast Asia and East and West Africa. The menu at the Centurion Lounge at SEA will feature dishes like Trinidadian Spiced Pork Belly, Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad, and "Peach Cobbla” French Toast, her twist on the traditional breakfast treat.

New Centurion Lounge opens at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

American Express has opened a new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The new lounge is nearly triple the size of the original Centurion Lounge at SEA and now located in the newly created mezzanine level of the Central Terminal post-security. 

It features spectacular views of the airfield and iconic Olympic mountains, ample room for guests to relax or work before their flight, and a locally-inspired menu from Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar Executive Chef Kristi Brown. Plus, the new location includes “Blue Roast by American Express,” a coffee bar serving speciality coffee, espresso drinks, and cold brew from local Seattle roaster Caffè Umbria, and a one-of-a-kind mural of the Seattle skyline made from coffee beans by celebrated artist Harold Caudio.

“The new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport delivers exactly what Card Members want while travelling – more space to relax and recharge and fantastic food and drink,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “Inspired by the vibrant Seattle dining and coffee scene, this lounge showcases the best of what Seattle has to offer, including a custom menu from the talented Chef Kristi Brown and our first full-service coffee bar with locally-roasted beans Seattle is known for.”

A Taste of “Seattle Soul”

Chef Kristi Brown, James Beard Award semifinalist and owner and chef of Seattle-based Communion Restaurant and Bar, will bring her signature “Seattle Soul” cuisine to the lounge. Her cuisine uses fresh local ingredients honouring traditional soul food and flavours from communities represented in the Pacific Northwest, including Southeast Asia and East and West Africa. The menu at the Centurion Lounge at SEA will feature dishes like Trinidadian Spiced Pork Belly, Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad, and "Peach Cobbla” French Toast, her twist on the traditional breakfast treat.

Star Alliance lounge at Schiphol Airport available to use on a pay as you go basis.

Star Alliance Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Now Offers Pay-as-you-go Access

Passengers travelling in all cabins on Star Alliance member airlines can now choose to experience the premium lounge before their flight.

The Star Alliance-branded lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) airport now permits pay-as-you-go type entry.  Thus, in addition to offering complimentary access to Star Alliance Gold members, and First Class and Business Class passengers, the lounge will now welcome other Star Alliance passengers regardless of membership status or cabin class, for a nominal fee.

This is the fifth among the six Star Alliance-branded lounges to offer paid access, after the Star Alliance lounges in Rome (FCO) Airport, Rio De Janeiro (GIG) Airport, Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The Star Alliance Amsterdam airport lounge is located airside in Departures Hall 2 after security clearance for the Schengen Area. This makes it ideally positioned for easy access to passengers travelling to or from European destinations within the Schengen Zone. Currently, 14 Star Alliance member airlines operate flights from the Amsterdam airport connecting 20 destinations in 16 countries.

Cathay Pacific’s ‘The Deck’ is now open

As more flights are resumed, Cathay is progressively reopening its lounges for customers to enjoy before they fly

Cathay Pacific has reopened The Deck lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, giving customers more ways to relax and pamper themselves before their flight.

The Deck joins The Wing, First and The Pier, Business as the Cathay Pacific lounges currently open to guests at the airline’s home hub. The airline is also working towards reopening The Pier, First and The Wing, Business within the coming six months as it continues to add more flights to its schedule.

As travel resumes, Cathay Pacific is also progressively reopening its global lounges. February will see the reopening of the Cathay Pacific lounges in Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport, while March and April will see the airline’s lounges at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, respectively, reopen their doors to guests.

Customers can also look forward to enjoying the airline’s signature lounges at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport in the second and third quarters of 2023.

Outside of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s First and Business class lounges at London Heathrow Airport, and its lounges at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Tokyo (Haneda) International Airport are already open to eligible customers.

Cathay Pacific understands its airport lounges are highly appreciated by its customers and the airline has used the time while these spaces have been closed to further invest in its lounge experience.

The Deck, Hong Kong