Posted on 07/17/2018 11:20:53 PM PDT by Simon Green
So you think your only choice during a long layover or a flight delay is to suffer in the airport terminal?
Think again.
But be prepared to pay handsomely one way or another for the alternative.
The airline lounge competition is heating up around the globe, and two new entrants, American and United, have, somewhat belatedly, become serious contenders.
Like the difference between first-class and economy seats, the luxury lounges offered by many major airlines are yet another way in which air travel is separating the haves from the have-nots.
Entry usually requires the purchase of a business- or first-class ticket, and some V.I.P. lounges charge thousands of dollars per visit by individuals or small groups of travelers. There are some exceptions for holders of certain credit cards, and occasionally a traveler can make a one-time visit for a relatively low fee.
But regardless of the cost, lounge access has become paramount for business travelers, especially those on overnight flights from the Northeastern United States to Europe, experts say. They want to shower and eat fresh food in the lounge, and then sleep on their flight, so when they arrive in Europe they can head directly to their meeting.
For other travelers, lounges can provide “a reprieve from the chaos of the airport, an oasis from the storm,” said Jack Ezon, president of New York-based Ovation Vacations, an upscale leisure travel agency.
To Michael Holtz, owner of SmartFlyer, another upscale travel agency, a lounge can extend a luxury hotel experience. Guests staying in certain high-end suites at the Rosewood London, for example, qualify for free access to the V.I.P. private terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport. Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa first-class lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, offers 12 private bedrooms.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Bout time, lord knows American based airlines need to do better in the lounge and even in the aircraft department, otherwise I think I’ll stick to flying Emirates for international flights.
In some situations, business-class makes relieves 50-percent of the stress and frustrations. Go sit in the massive lounge at Dubai. I wouldn’t mind sitting around there for six hours. The same can be said for various lounges in Hong Kong’s airport. The Qantas lounge at Sydney? Two-star marginal and not worth the cost.
It seems due to rewards credit cards and things like that, airport lounges get incredibly overcrowded on a regular basis now, with a struggle to even find a place to sit.
Back in April, I believe it was in Dallas, one of the American Airlines lounges was new and had the worst amenities I’ve ever seen. Ugly, not good food, and they weren’t approved for liquor yet.
But they did direct me to another one that had a custom-made guacamole station.
The absolute worst is where they pool all the passengers from a few different airlines; I had to go to a crowded, unpleasant lounge in Israel with a unisex bathroom. Yuck.
The main advantage of the first class lounge for air canada in Heathrow is that you got to go thru a better security lineup.
That said, first class, business class, i don’t care. i am retired now and I will fly commercial again only via extraordinary rendition.
Have you been in the Qantas First Class lounge... they serve you off a menu... it's rather "First Class" in my humble opinion.
I’ve been in the business lounge of Qantas in Sydney, and it’s a place that I’d suggest to avoid. Maybe the first class is better (I can’t speak to that), but I’ve been through the Sydney lounge four times and it’s typically maxed out with 99-percent of the seats filled and the support staff behind schedule. They need to overhaul the lounge, double the space (like it is in Dubai), and maybe double the support staff.
“That said, first class, business class, i don’t care. i am retired now and I will fly commercial again only via extraordinary rendition.”
I’m with ya brother. I’m retired as well. And, used to fly a lot back when working including Europe and Asia. Now, if I can’t drive I don’t go.
Meh. I’ll keep with flying in cattle class and waiting to board the plane at the gate. To me, insisting on waiting in luxury surroundings at the airport makes as much sense as expecting luxury accommodations at a freeway rest area. I’ll admit, I do go to the USO sometimes if I am on a layover. They have free food and wifi. I donate to them regularly, so I really do pay for the amenities.
“It seems due to rewards credit cards and things like that, airport lounges get incredibly overcrowded on a regular basis now, with a struggle to even find a place to sit.”
In fact, there are so many Americans holding these credit cards that it’s getting difficult to find lounges in this country that aren’t ‘full’ just about all the time (eg, forget LAX). But overseas, much, much, better (in general).
But it is a 2-edged sword, 3 years ago, I never even knew they existed, and being a conservative, I was slow to adapt to the latest trends, so I didn’t bother with (or even know) that certain credit cards meant access. Now I do!
I still have an old-fashioned credit card but I always fly business or first class overseas. They are going to either have to keep adding more lounges, or make access more exclusive for sure. Having a packed lounge with no seating is very poor service.
They vary widely in quality. It’s a great idea for longer layovers while on oceanic trips, but sometimes the implementation is weak. Last summer American at LAX was pathetic. Square chairs out of a motel lobby. Cheese and crackers and fruit cubes, give me a break!
By contrast, both Air France and American at CDG is a great way to burn several hours while in transit. Restful accommodations, delicious warm food to order or from self-serve, and very quiet, unlike the surrounding terminal.
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