After a short, long weekend in South Florida, Sunday arrived and it was time to fly home. Of course, no trip is complete without a stop at an airline lounge. This Sky Club location is one of the less crowded and more relaxing ones. The lounge is located right in the middle of the Delta gates, just on the other side of security so it’s definitely convenient. There is a very nice view of the apron and runway although the windows are in dire need of cleaning.

There are plenty of spaces to get away from everyone, but still be in the lounge. Included in these spaces are 2 dozen work desks and a quiet room. If you want to be in the “thick of it” there are 2 flat screens in the middle of the lounge that are usually tuned into a news channel. There is a full service bar with a healthy selection of beverages including Tanquery, Dewar’s, Sky Vodka and Baileys.
It seems that Delta has stepped up their snack offerings with gold coast snack mix (pictured), popcorn, hummus, cheese & crackers, cookies and cut veggies.
The bathrooms were spotless and spacious

coke and snack mix

work space

quiet room

First things first: There was very little food at this lounge, but I was there from 5:30 am until roughly 6:45am. I may have been the first passenger of the day, but none-the-less, the two desk agents both jumped up to greet me. A Business Class ticket on Singapore Airlines allowed me access, but Star Alliance Gold members also have access. The Lounge is located on the 2nd floor of Terminal A (not the main terminal that Korean Air flies out of).
The entire space is rather dark and there are no windows. It sort of feels like you are in someone’s basement, albeit a very nicely appointed basement.

As mentioned, the food was sparse, but there were a few chefs scurrying around, about to prepare something. There were some instant noodles, bread and a small salad bar set-up. Come to think of it, there were some signs that said hot food would be available shortly.
The shower room looked great, as it was stocked with toiletries. There was also a large business center and rooms to rest and sleep. My experinece at the Cathay Pacific Lounge, opposite this Asiana Lounge, was much better, but again, I was there at a different time of day.
Here are a few pictures of the Asiana Lounge in the main terminal.

i can only assume this plays itself

dining area

Made it back from my 24,000 mile journey in 1 piece although my body hates me right now and is having no problem letting me know it. A few weeks ago I wrote some tips on staying healthy during air travel. I followed them all, but this time it didn’t make a difference.

First up on the journey (after my 6am flight to JFK) was a visit to Korean Air’s Prestige Class (Business Class) Lounge. My ticket was economy class, but Sky Team Elite Plus status (Delta Gold) will give you access to this lounge in Terminal 1. There is also a 1st Class section to the lounge which uses the same entrance.
The lounge is attractively appointed with many tan and grey armchairs accented by wood trim and paneling. There was a quiet area, sleeping rooms and cubicles to work. The entire West side of the lounge is windows, providing a pretty decent view of aircraft movements. This is where I set up shop and noticed the carpet probably needs to be replaced. Also, power outlets seemed to be few and far between.

There was a self service food and beverage bar comprised of the typical libations, although the liquor was scarce. For food: small sandwiches, crackers, cheese, sun chips, peanuts and Oreos.
The Prestige Lounge is located to the right, just after the main security on the 2nd floor. The Lounge provides a very pleasant, uncrowded place to relax.

quiet room (with TV)

On the 2nd floor of the main terminal you will find the entrance to the Swiss Airlines Business Class Lounge in addition to the Senator Lounge.  This space, in its entirety, nearly amounts to a whole separate terminal. On the first level, to the left, is the Senator Lounge which I was able to access with Star Gold status. To the right is an escalator to the 2nd floor which contains the main business lounge.  There is also a 3rd level, which houses the “longest attended lounge bar worldwide”

The Senator Lounge has essentially the same amenities as the Business Class Lounge, as far as I could tell…. Maybe there is a higher end scotch, but I didn’t check. It is less crowded and quieter than the main Business Class lounge but there were not a ton of people in either. The Swiss Business Class Lounge has many areas to eat, relax or work including a bank of computers. Self service food and beverage stations line several walls of the lounge. There seemed to be as many staff members as there were passengers.

I had thought the Long Bar at Cathay Pacifc’s Pier Lounge was the longest I had seen, anywhere. Never-mind in an airport lounge. The 3rd story Bar in Swiss’ Business Class Lounge proved me wrong.  Could have killed a few hours here, but didn’t. Overall, all 3 spaces were spacious, clean and well appointed.

Now, back to JFK in seat 4A.

senator lounge

senator lounge

senator lounge

business class lounge

small lounge area adjacent to long bar

Not sure that I have ever taken so many pictures of an airline lounge, but there is a lot going on at the Swiss Airlines Business Class Lounge at JFK. The lounge easily makes my top 3 globally. Just like the First Class Lounge, Swiss Airlines’ Business Class Lounge is clean, elegant and very appealing. The lounge is located on the upper floor just behind the row 1 check in area. While the lounge is outside security it is a stones throw from the security checkpoint and there was virtually no line for business class passengers.

The lounge contains two main sections (both quite spacious) divided by a quiet zone room on one side and bathrooms on the other. There are self service food & beverage areas in both sections of the lounge. Pre-flight dining was served at 4pm. The meal was simple and delicious. There is a separate room with several internet terminals, a quiet room with massage chairs, an area to watch television and a few rows of tall tables with power outlets running the entire length.

Both the 1st Class and Business Class lounges are accented by stone imported from Switzerland. As you will see by the pictures, there is a wall of windows that overlook the tarmac.  The lounge provides a truly relaxing atmosphere to relax before your flight.

rear section

front section

internet stations

massage chairs inside quiet room

reading material

chicken piccatta, potatoes, pasta primavera

While I was not flying First Class to Zurich, I did have the opportunity to take a peek at Swiss International Airlines’ First Class Lounge at JFK.  It was clean, uncluttered and refreshing.  No gold trim here.  Everything one would need was at arms length and nothing was over-indulgent.  The lounge presented a classy, understated elegance that I am confident most First Class travellers would appreciate.  Food and drinks were self service and there is a separate dining room.  A shower room is also available.
I am still in Jerusalem and headed to Tel Aviv today. More flying tomorrow.

mixed nuts

If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you may never find this airline lounge. It is in, what seemed like, a remote part of the airport and there was some remodeling taking place. Specifically the United Airlines Red Carpet Club is located on the 2nd floor above gates 9 and 10. The lounge is roughly a 10 minute walk through the open-air concourse. Be prepared to sweat.

A welcoming foyer leads to several seating areas, each with a flat screen television. The lounge was very relaxing and definitely felt island-like. I parked my bags and went to fetch a drink. There was a charge for some drinks such as those containing top-shelf liquor while others were complimentary. This policy makes no sense to me and I find it annoying and tacky.   Just make it a cash bar or give it away.
The snacks were free and plenttiful: cheese & crackers, vegetables and dip, trail mix, snack mix.
The bathrooms are not really as appealing as the lounge itself, but are they ever?

re-modeling

work area

It’s not your typical lounge; airline or otherwise.  Unless you frequent Tijuana. Delta Business Elite customers can access the Delta Airlines Arrival Lounge, aka the Yotel, with their boarding pass (that’s all I needed) or an invitation received from the FA towards the end of the flight. As mentioned, the Yotel is a transit hotel but also serves as Delta’s arrival lounge.

At first, you may mistake it for a brothel based on the black-light lit narrow hallways and porthole windows.   The “room”, at 100 square feet, (roughly; no ruler) I can’t say I would stay here overnight, but to lay down and have a shower… perfecto!  The shower and toilet area is 1 space. The toilet and sink are in the shower stall… similar to some (the ones I have stayed at) some hotels in Asia.

There is one towel and one soap dispenser in the shower area. There is no shampoo. Unless you want to call what’s in the dispenser shampoo… but then there’s no soap. All ancillary items are available for charge at the front desk. Enjoy!

a look into a “suite”

Delta’s Sky Club lounge at Miami’s International Airport is one of the nicest Sky Clubs (in the US) I have seen. One could consider this lounge on par with lounges located outside the United States. Airline lounges outside the United States are always nicer than those within the US (even if you are comparing lounges of the same airline) but at least the Delta Sky Club in Miami is in the same universe.
It is located just on the other side of the main TSA security checkpoint so don’t walk all the way down the terminal and then decide you want to visit the Sky Club because it is a significant backtrack.

A short elevator ride finds you in an airy, modern, chic Sky Club lobby… very Miami. There is a large desk with several Delta agents on duty. The bar/food area is a little tight, only because there are tables placed almost right up against the bar, leaving little room to sit or stand at the bar. Self service food is directly adjacent to bar and the offerings are considerable more than last time I was in a Sky Club: dried fruit, caramel popcorn, mixed nuts, Asian snack mix, olives, cheese & crackers, pretzels, Nutella and fresh veggies.
Of course, a full complimentary bar was also available. There was a meeting room which was open to the public at the time, a business center, free wifi and a quiet zone. There were showers avaiable but I did not see them as I was only begining my trip.
Overall, quite a pleasant place to work or relax.
Next up: Delta’s inaugural flight from Miami to London Heathrow.

bar

quiet room

meeting room

work space

If you saw the last couple of posts,you know I booked a round-trip international flight with a 70 minute connection at London Heathrow.   I didn’t make the connection.  I was not even really close as our incoming flight from Miami was about an hour late.  My return flight had already left.  The 2nd question, how would I be re-accommodated, if at all. 

I was more than impressed.  The agent greeting my flight promptly presented with me with my options for flying back to Miami.  Basically a connection through Atlanta, Minneapolis or JFK.  She then booked me, in Business Class, through Atlanta and on to Miami.  She then handed me off to a godsend.  A ground staff member by the name of Cara Willis from Cobalt Staffing.  Cara escorted me through customs via a “staff only” line.  She the walked me to Delta departures and checked me in.

Continuing her streak of going beyond the call of duty, she then showed me to Delta’s arrival “lounge,” the Yotel and made sure I was admitted promptly.  Thank you Cara, for making my potential disaster connection into a seamless and stress free process.   Report of the inaugural flight from Miami and photos of the Yotel coming right up.  Thanks.

This article comes courtesy of Geberit North America…

British Airways unveils new lounge as part of $7 million, 7,000-square-foot build-out at Dulles Airport that oozes luxury in every way.
When British Airways upgrades its first-class and business-class passenger lounges, the new designs reflect the discriminating tastes of its preferred customers. From the lighting to the flooring and even with the restrooms, British Airways has gone to great lengths to pamper its clientele.

British Airways’ lounges far exceed what one expects from an airport “waiting room”…limestone floors…porcelain tile…custom-made Swarovski chandeliers dangling above the walnut and stone bars… luxurious fabrics from the U.K. in an array of textures and colors…brown and navy blue leather upholstery… complimentary massages and other spa services…and the latest in consumer electronics entertainment. Every inch of every lounge is carefully crafted to meet British Airways’ standards.

“A very clean, upscale modern look is what we were achieving,” says Vincent Melito, Director, Facilities, Americas in the U.S. headquarters for British Airways. Specified finishes for the restrooms, for instance, are high end with porcelain slate tile mixed with mosaics and woodwork. British Airways strives to have every component of the restrooms, including its upscale dual-flush toilets designed by Philippe Starck and hung with Geberit in-wall carriers, complement the contemporary atmosphere of its lounges.

British Airways’ brands division at corporate headquarters near London Heathrow Airport works with Melito to set basic design standards for finishes and looks. He is charged with seeing the project through from inception to completion. “A lot of the designs are replicated from lounge to lounge according to the layout,” he says.

For the Dulles lounge, part of a new $7 million, 7,000-square-foot build-out in the terminal wing, British Airways chose to adopt its Galleries design theme. Galleries, which is the airline’s most sophisticated lounge theme, aims to replicate an art gallery experience. Houston’s 2,800-square-foot first-class lounge is also done in Galleries, whereas its 4,000-square-foot business-class lounge has a more casual, club-like setting.

To execute construction for different lounge projects, Melito’s group works with various outside architectural firms. “There is some design freedom,” says Melito, referring to work conducted by British Airways’ architect partners. “But we do put specifications in their hands with finishes and the look and feel for them to follow.” TPG Architecture in New York City was the architectural firm of record for the Dulles lounge.

“We’re always trying to achieve green initiatives in term of water conservation,” says Melito. “We may not apply for LEED® certification on our lounges, but we’re making a conscious effort to save water with the right products.”

Sustainability measures please British Airways management, yet green plans cannot compromise on the high-end design appeal and comfortable convenience that British Airways’ passengers expect. “That’s the style we look for,” he adds.

Other British Airways lounge renovations include a major 6,400-square-foot project at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, a 7,500-square-foot renovation at Miami International Airport, and an overhaul of the Sao Paulo, Brazil, lounge for which project scope and cost have yet to be determined.

Renovation is also in the works for the 30,000-square-foot lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, and the airline has slated a $1 million refresh for the San Francisco International Airport lounge.