Airport lounge

An airport lounge is a facility operated at many airports. Airport lounges offer, for selected passengers, comforts beyond those afforded in the airport terminal itself, such as more comfortable seating, quieter environments, and often better access to customer service representatives. Other accommodations may include private meeting rooms, telephones, wireless internet access and other business services, along with provisions to enhance passenger comfort, such as free drinks, snacks, periodicals, and showers.

The American Airlines Admirals Club was the first airport lounge when it opened at New York City’s La Guardia Airport, in 1939. Then AA president C. R. Smith conceived it as a promotional tool.

Facilities, location
The equipment is very different; international standard is however a dignified and calm atmosphere with a suitable equipment (eg carpets and armchairs), a varied offer and support. Most lounges have small desks, televisions, a wide selection of up-to-date newspapers and magazines, and in some cases even laundry, prayer rooms , showers , spas , sleeping facilities and drinks. Sometimes a distinction is made between arrivals and departures lounges. Some airlines operate shared lounges or pay other companies for their use by foreign passengers (especially within the same alliance ).

Departures lounges are, as far as possible, set up within the security area in close proximity to the piers , so that the way to the aircraft is as short as possible and the lounge must be left only at the beginning of the boarding . Arrivals lounge and some departure lounges are outside the security area.

If one uses the lounge of an airline, although one is not their passenger, this proximity is often not given and one must travel for the way to the airplane a large distance, if necessary even change the terminal. This is a major disadvantage of so-called airport lounge programs such as the Priority Pass .

Recently, the services of individual airlines for their best customers are becoming more and more exclusive: Some airlines offer for their lounge visitors separate transfers in luxury limousines directly to their aircraft. This is the case in particular when separate terminal buildings are available for first-class passengers or high-status customers, such as the Lufthansa first-class terminal in Frankfurt . Also, in some lounges, passengers are personally visited for boarding, driven through the terminal in a small golf cart and accompanied to the aircraft, such as in the Thai Airways First Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport .

Types

Airline lounges
Airlines operate airline lounges as a service to premium passengers, usually passengers flying first class and business class, with high level frequent flier status, and premium travel credit card memberships.

Most major carriers have one or more lounges in their hubs and focus cities as well as in the major airports they serve. The major US airlines—American (Admirals Club), Delta (Delta Sky Club), and United (United Club)—operate dozens of lounges, while smaller airlines like Alaska Airlines (Alaska Lounge) tend to only operate a handful of lounges in their hub and focus cities.

Airlines outside of Australia and North America generally do not sell lounge memberships, and instead reserve lounge access exclusively for very frequent flyers and passengers in premium cabins. However, a passenger who has a lounge membership in an airline in one of the three major airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance) may have access to the lounges of the other members of that alliance. For example, Qantas Club membership provides access to the Admirals Club lounges due to a reciprocal arrangement with American Airlines; similarly, a member of the United Club or other Star Alliance members can access lounges of Air Canada and Air New Zealand.

It is, however, not uncommon for non-alliance members to agree individually to allow usage of each other’s lounges. For example, although Alaska Airlines operates just six Alaska Lounges, its members have access to American Airlines Admirals Club (and vice versa). Alaska Lounge members cannot, however, access the lounges of other Oneworld members, such as British Airways or Japan Airlines.

The salons of airline clubs
Airlines put airport lounges at the disposal of their premium passengers, usually first -class and business travelers , and their faithful globe-trotters .

Most major companies have one or more trade shows in their hubs and target cities as well as in the major airports they serve. Major American companies – American Airlines ( Admirals Club ), Delta ( SkyClub ) and United ( United Club ) – operate dozens of lounges, while smaller companies like Alaska Airlines (Board Room) tend to operate only a handful of lounges in their hub and target cities.

Airlines outside of North America and Australia generally do not offer affiliation to such clubs, reserving access to their lounges to their loyal and first class passengers. However, if you are affiliated with a company’s club from one of the three major airline alliances ( Oneworld , SkyTeam and Star Alliance ), you can often have access to the lounges of other alliance members. For example, membership to the Qantas Club gives access to Admirals Club lounges due to a reciprocal agreement with American Airlines ;United Club can access Air Canada and Air New Zealand lounges , like all Star Alliance members.

However, it is not uncommon for non-alliance companies to enter into bilateral agreements for reciprocal access to their salons. So well that Alaska Airlines will make available four Board Rooms , members have access to the Admirals Club for American Airlines (and vice versa ). However, these members do not have access to other Oneworld members’ lounges , such as British Airways or Japan Airlines .

Pay-per-use lounges
Private companies, such as Aspire Lounges by Swissport, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Global Lounge Network, also operate generic pay-per-use lounges. In contrast to airline lounges, these facilities are open to any traveller traversing the airport, regardless of class of ticket or airline, subject to payment of a fee. Most only offer day passes, but some also offer yearly and lifetime memberships. Access to the lounges can be booked via online platforms such as LoungeBuddy or, in limited cases, one-day passes can be purchased directly at the lounge entrance.

First class airline lounges
For many airlines, a first class lounge will also be offered to international first class and top-tier passengers. First class lounges are usually more exclusive and will feature extra amenities over business class that are more in line with the European/Asian concept of an airport lounge. In the few cases where an amenity is offered only in the business class lounge, first class passengers are permitted to use the business lounge if they wish. In any case, anyone with first class lounge access almost automatically has access to the business class lounge—such as if a traveling companion is not in first class and cannot be brought into the first class lounge as a guest—though lounge agents may get confused when passengers choose to use a lesser amenity than that to which they are entitled. In most cases, airlines will offer first class passengers a free pass to their standard airport club. Some airlines offer “arrival lounges” for passengers to shower, rest, and eat after a long-haul international flight.

Private rooms
Other ground service providers, such as Plaza Premium Lounge and Swissport , also operate private lounges with paid access. Unlike airline lounges, these structures are open to all travelers passing through the airport, regardless of the issuing company or the class of their ticket , provided they pay an entrance fee. Most only sell one-day passes, but some offer subscriptions valid for one year or more.

First Class Airline Trade Shows
Many airlines have a first class lounge available to first class and international guests. First class lounges are generally more exclusive and the range of equipment they offer is more important than in business class lounges, modeled more like waiting rooms.standard airports in Europe and Asia. In the rare cases where an amenity is available only in the business class lounge, first class passengers have the option if they wish to use the business class lounge. In any case, any traveler having access to the first class lounge automatically has access to the business class lounge – as in the case where a traveling companion is not in first class and can not be admitted to the first lounge. as a guest – which can disrupt lounge attendants when passengers choose to use services that are below those to which they are entitled. In general, airlines offer first-class passengers free access to their standard airport lounge.

Access to lounges
Access to airport lounges may be obtained in several ways. In Australia, Canada, and the United States, a common method to gain access is by purchasing an annual or a lifetime membership, while in Asia and Europe this is usually impossible. Membership fees are sometimes discounted for elite members of an airline’s frequent flyer program and may often be paid using miles. Certain high-end credit cards associated with an airline or lounge network, such as the Chase Sapphire, Delta Reserve, and United MileagePlus Club credit cards, include membership to the lounges for as long as one owns the card.

Lounge access can also be attained with an airline status card, which is common in Europe. The top frequent-flyer levels often offer access to any of an airline’s lounges or partner airlines’ lounges, when traveling in any class of travel on any of the partner airlines (usually it is required for the cardholder to be booked on one of the carrier’s flights within the next 24 hours). Most airlines also usually offer free lounge access to anyone in their premium cabins (first class or business class) on their days of travel; in North America this is usually only available to passengers on intercontinental or transcontinental flights.

Pay-per-use lounges can be accessed by anyone, irrespective of airline or flight class. Some offer further benefits when booking directly with them rather than through a reseller.

Independent programs, such as Priority Pass, offer access to selected airline lounges for an annual fee, while Go Simply, Holiday Extras, LoungePass, and some offerings by independent and airline lounge programs offer pay per use and/or prebookable access without need for membership. Premium credit and charge cards such as Diners Club International, and the American Express Platinum and Centurion Card charge cards offer lounge programs for members. Some banks, like ABN Amro and HSBC, offer lounge access for premium clients. American Express also offers access to lounges belonging to Priority Pass and is expanding its own line of lounges.

Amenities
Besides offering more comfortable seating, lounges usually provide complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks such as fruit, cheese, soup, pastries and breakfast items. In the United States and Canada, nearly all domestic lounges offer an open bar for domestic beer, house wine and well liquor, with premium beverages such as imported beer, top-shelf liquor, high end wines and champagne available for purchase. In U.S. states where open bars are prohibited by law, non-premium beverages may be sold at a token rate (e.g. $1 per drink).

Other amenities typically include flight information monitors, televisions, newspapers, and magazines, plus business centers with desks, internet workstations, telephones, photocopiers and fax services. Complimentary wireless Internet access for patrons is also common.

In Asia, Europe and the Middle East, lounges (especially those for first class passengers) can be quite luxurious, offering an extensive premium open bar, full hot and cold buffet meals, cigar rooms, spa and massage services, fitness centers, private cabanas, nap suites and showers.

Some lounges have pool tables as amenities. Additionally, there are wireless charging stations in lounges, at some airports in London, installed by Nokia.

The equipment
In addition to providing more comfortable seating, lounges usually provide free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages , and light snacks 1 such as fruit , cheese , soup , pastries and breakfast items . In the United States and Canada, almost every living room has an open bar serving beer and wine Local and home-made spirits, with high-end beverages such as imported beer, premium liqueurs, vintage wines and champagne available for purchase. In American states where open bars are banned by law, drinks can be sold at a discounted price (for example, $ 1 a drink).

Other equipment typically includes flight information displays, television sets , newspapers and magazines, in addition to business centers with offices, Internet access points, telephones, photocopiers and fax services. Free wireless internet access for guests is also common.

In Asia, Europe and the Middle East , lounges (especially for first-class passengers) can be quite luxurious, offering a vast premium open bar, many hot and cold buffet dishes , cigar rooms , spas and massage services , fitness centers , private areas, rest areas and showers .

Some lounges are equipped with pool tables .

There are wireless charging stations in the lounges, in some London airports , installed by Nokia .

Provider

Source from Wikipedia