British Airways’ customers used to the refurbished Johannesburg lounge can soon enjoy a refreshed experience at more lounges around the world
The airline is revamping its First and Club lounges at Chicago O’Hare Airport as well as improving the lounges at Edinburgh and Berlin.
Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “Lounges are incredibly important to our customers traveling in our Club and First cabins, or to those with Executive Club status and they are rightly a focus of our £6.5bn customers investment. We’ve recently refurbished nine lounges across the network, and we’re looking forward to refurbishing more in 2020.
As part of its 2020 lounge upgrade activity the airline will also be refurbishing its lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5 as well as redesigning and relaunching the Elemis Spa at JFK.
Other investments across the airline include the installation of the best quality Wi-Fi and power in every aircraft seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. Lat year the airline introduced its Club Suite, a new business class seat with direct aisle access.
British Airways’ refurbished Johannesburg lounge is on the first floor in international departures with 880m2 floor space converted into one spacious lounge, with a dedicated boutique dining area for First customers.
A new design concept, which debuted in 2018 incorporates local design features with the best of British to deliver a luxurious and contemporary look with warm, welcoming African notes.
Comfortably hosting 247 customers, the lounge offers a modern, lobby bar area for socialising, a brasserie dining area,and office space with ample work stations and power outlets. A peaceful, separate area with elegant armchairs, banquette seating and complementary magazines and newspapers is available for customers who want to relax ahead of their journey.
Zoned areas enable guests to select their preferred area. The lighting is specifically tailored for each zone and adjusted to be appropriate for the time of day.
The lobby bar, with its signature lighting, offers an extensive display of spirts, beers, soft drinks, and a selection of fine South African wines.
Catering in the onsite kitchen is provided by Food Directions, also serving the award-winning SLOW lounges, popular with customers flying on on Comair’s domestic and regional services.
The menu includes fresh seasonal salads, mezze, local charcuterie and Indezi River cheeses as well as traditional comfort-food favourites such as Cape Malay curry.
The newly introduced First Boutique Dining pairs a pre-flight al-la-carte menu, designed by the in-house chef, with an extensive wine list.
British Airways has completed the renovation of its First and Club lounges in New York’s JFK Terminal 7. A new contemporary lounge has also been unveiled in San Francisco, with sweeping views of the runways. Further investment is planned with a new British Airways lounge in Geneva.
Last year the airline has also introduced its Club Suite, a new business class seat with direct aisle access.
