It is a luxury that doesn?t come cheap. But if you belong to the growing tribe of travellers who believe in flying in style, try airport lounges for those in-between flight times. It is about doing away with the rough edges that are associated with air travel these days. And once you have experienced the ambience in these designed-to-pamper areas, you will realise that the price you paid for it was worth it. There?s everything in these areas that can help you kill time: from complimentary drinks and snacks to newspapers and magazines, business facilities, flight information screens, computers to check e-mails or take a nap. What?s more, if you want, you can even hold a quick business meeting in these areas. The catch? Most of these lounges are only open to those flying First or Business Class. But remember, while nearly all major airports offer lounges, not all lounges are created equal. As many travellers can testify, most Asian carriers really know how to pamper their guests.
For instance, try Virgin Atlantic?s new Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow. It offers the ultimate in pre-flight experience for its passengers with an array of exciting and unique areas. You can enjoy a stylish haircut in the Bumble and Bumble salon; relax in the spa pool or sauna; choose from a range of Cowshed spa treatments; enjoy a game of pool in the Den; a blockbuster film in the cinema; enjoy a delicious cocktail at the 14-metre long bar; and choose from the extensive Brasserie menu for a richer dining experience before your flight.
Sandeep Murthy, CEO, Cleartrip.com, who is a frequent business traveller, has been to lounge facilities across continents. ?Generally, I spend an hour or two there. I always look for a good shower, Internet connectivity, food, drinks and most important, good seating arrangements and they come as a complimentary service with the ticket.? When it comes to betting on a lounge, Murthy picks out two. ?The Singapore Airlines lounge and Virgin Atlantic?s lounge at Heathrow. The worst so far is New York, which is very crowded and moreover, there are not enough seating arrangements.?
The Cowshed at Virgin offers a range of treatments for both men and women. Take your pick from a shave treatment that incorporates a shoulder massage, power cleansing, invigorating scrub, wet shave and conditioning. A facial would include a shoulder massage, double cleansing and exfoliation, hot towel infusion and eyebrow tidying. You could also try out the collagen eye treatment and pedicure. The hair salon here offers a range of stylish cuts to men and women. It also has a spa ? a spa pool, sauna with six steam rooms and six showers. Besides, it also has a St Tropez tanning booth.
Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic comments, ?The new Clubhouse has been a real hit with our Upper Class passengers who now turn up much earlier for their flights so they can spend as much time as possible in there!? There has also been a considerable number of new Upper Class passengers flying with with them as more and more people hear about what is on offer. ?We are thrilled with the many awards that the Clubhouse has won in its first year,? says Ridway.
Cathay Pacific Airways has also rolled out the red carpet at its lounges. It offers a host of facilities as it aims to provide superior customer service. The Wing was the airline?s original lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. In November 2001, the airline opened a second premium lounge in the same airport, called The Pier. Located at the northwest end of the terminal, it creates more space and facilities for passengers and added convenience for those departing from adjacent gates.
Within The Wing and The Pier, passengers can relax and get something to eat and drink. Besides, it also has entertainment options, business facilities, comfortable seating, somewhere to freshen up, and, of course, a trained staff.
Kavita Chadha, a frequent traveller with Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific, says their lounges take care of everything that a passenger needs for comfort. ?They provide quiet and comfortable resting areas and shower facilities. And, who minds the chance to put one?s feet up between long-haul flights.?
Not to be left behind, Lufthansa too offers its First Class passengers a new dimension in travel. In the premium travel segment, this airline has set a new international standard. Premium service in the form of a personal assistant to take care of checking-in formalities is provided right from the time you enter the airport in Frankfurt and then when you proceed to the First Class lounges.
Shravani Dang, group head, corporate communications, Ballarpur Industries Ltd, a globetrotter, vouches for the facilities offered by Boston?s Northwest Airlines. She observes that though the lounge is small, it lets you board the plane directly and meets all your needs. Her next preference is KLM?s Schipol lounge. ?I like these two lounges as they meet my specific needs of either rest or relaxation between or before flights and provide me with a place that I can continue to work in without any disturbance.?
In fact, the attraction of getting pampered in between flights has resulted in a spike in the number of passengers opting for First Class travel. As Karl Ulrich Garnadt, Lufthansa group representative and head of Hub Management at Munich says: ?Over the past few years, we have not only seen a steady increase in the number of premium customers, but the demand for our First Class service has also grown. And this trend is set to continue with the further expansion of our service at Munich.?
Similarly, Singapore Airlines? Silver Kris Lounge is an integral part of the airline?s total travel experience for its First and Business Class customers. In fact, this lounge ranks as one of the largest and most luxurious in the world. It boasts of the plushest armchairs and deep-pile carpets, and the dash of green provided by the tropical plants and aquariums add to the serene surroundings.
Then there is the Malaysian Airlines? Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport facilities to check out. Yes, again it is restricted to its First Class and Golden Club Class passengers. But the state-of-the-art facilities includes a dedicated relaxation room that has a spa chair and is equipped with Osim?s award-winning iSymphonic massage chairs and iSqueez foot massagers. The lounge also offers a culinary delight to its customers with an impressive buffet spread of eastern and western favourites. There is a bonus for weary parents too, who can get a breather while their children get busy at the Creative Kids? Corner.
Travelling First Class might cost you just that little bit extra, but look at what you can get as the add-ons. So next time don?t forget to cash in on those frills.
