Airport Lounges: Antidote to Delays at Airports
 1st OCT 2006

Airport lounges play important role to beat frustrations occasioned by delays at airports. It serves as antidote for some inexplicable delays. WOLE SHADARE writes on how premium passengers or business travelers can beat the problem.

ANYONE, who has flown since the September 11, 2001 attacks, knows the delays at airports are even longer than ever. While most travelers recognise the need to undergo more security checks, the need to arrive several hours early, even for domestic flights, can play hell with most executives' schedules.

To make up for the precious time away from the office, first class and business class lounges are playing an even greater role in providing a place for passengers to make phone calls, go online and hold meetings. At the same time, thanks to the recent boom year in the travel industry, many lounges around the world are now better equipped to provide improved non business services as well, offering such perks as spas, gyms, showers, and in some cases, even babysitting.

Departing on an international flight or stuck on a layover could be frustrating. The premium lounges provide a veritable way of escaping the hustling and bustling or the airport.

Long flights, missed sleep, and changing time zones can have a serious effect on the body. It is better to unwind in one of Plaza Premium's private napping rooms and then recharge with a shower.

Business travelers can make the most of their time with the lounge's Wi-Fi Internet access and quiet work areas. Answer e-mails, make a private phone, or fax a report from the comfort of the lounge.

To enjoy the best of the airport lounges, you may have to travel to Asia and the Far East where they know how to pamper customers. Increasingly, however, airports are paying up facilities to all passengers, irrespective of the class of travel, who pay on entry, while holders of certain credit cards, such as American Express Platinum or Diners Club qualify under an issuer's programme.

But to priority pass, operator of the world's largest independent VIP access programme, must get the credit democratising the lounge. Launched in 1992 to spread the concept of a haven for all, it now covers airports in over several countries, with members paying an annual fee and on each visit.

Even the low-cost carriers are recognising the importance of it for frequent flyers, Easyjet, for example, to increase its share of the corporate market, is offering lounge access Europe.

Some of the top ten picks are the Wings of Cathay Pacific located at the Hong Kong International Airport, Clubhouse of Virgin Atlantic at San Francisco International Airport, Terraces Lounge of the British Airways at JFK International Airport, Silver Kris of Singapore Airlines at Changi Airport among others.

Zen, which the word used in describing the Cathay Pacific Airlines Lounge at the Hong Kong International Airport is 43,000-square-foot, wood-and-granite, open air facility overlooking the terminal. Spread out at the 80-foot aptly named Long Bar, or dine at one of four restaurants, including the Haven (strictly for first-class passengers) and a Japanese noodle bar. The spa offers a complete line of services, but nothing tops the private cabanas, complete with personal showers, beds and oversized tubs. True road warriors, however, can spend their time on the wireless Web from anywhere in The Wing.

For Virgin Atlantic's lounge at Francisco International Airport, the lounge was opened last year at the cost of $.32 million. Most striking are the multi-coloured, floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and the city's skyline. A rotating digital-art exhibit showcases local artists, and in an extension of the Upper Class "Freedom" menu where you're free to eat whatever and whenever you want, the Clubhouse serves light snacks and entrees at any time of the day or night.

Dubbed "an air travel environment for the 21st century, "Terraces is indeed more backyard than board room, fully reclining lounge chairs under white umbrellas, and-no joke- the subtle scent of cut grass. A Molton Brown Travel Spa has hydrotherapy showers, reflexology treatments and specially designed pre and post-flight massages.

Service-conscious Singapore's 30,000-square-foot lounge accommodates 200 first class and 450 business class passengers. Tropical plants and aquariums abound. Wall is covered with works by local artists, and 42-inch plasma screens show news and sports continuously.

Heathrow recently opened the "Island," a pay-as-you-go airport lounge in Terminal 3. Open daily from 5.am to 2.pm, admission is $36 per person and allows access to one of 29 showers, steam cleaning and shoe shining, satellite television, and Internet connections.

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