THE PIER BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGE
AIRLINE Cathay Pacific
AIRPORT Hong Kong International Airport
DATE OPENED May 2016
INFO Located near Gate 65, Cathay Pacific’s The Pier business class lounge occupies 3,306 sqm, making it the airline’s largest lounge, with seating for 550 people. Facilities include a dedicated dining section, 13 shower suites, and a relaxation room that features 18 low loungers and other seating. Universal plugs and USB ports under small shelves are within easy reach, allowing business travellers to maintain productivity within the lounge. For a more in-depth look, check out our first look of The Pier business class lounge.
ELIGIBILITY Cathay Pacific first and business class passengers, Marco Polo Club Silver and above members, all tier members who have earned lounge passes and/or their friends and families, and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members.
EMIRATES LOUNGE
AIRLINE Emirates
AIRPORT Cape Town International Airport, South Africa
DATE OPENED May 2016
INFO The development of this new two-level lounge comes as Emirates ramps up capacity on flights between Dubai and Cape Town with the launch of its third daily service. The lounge can accommodate up to 123 people comfortably, and is located in the international departures corridor next to the carrier’s preferred boarding point at Gate A3. It features a dedicated dining area with a choice of bar seating, a business centre that is equipped with touch-screen workstations, a TV area, shower suites and a prayer room.
ELIGIBILITY Emirates first class and business class customers, as well as Skywards platinum and gold members
FIRST CLASS LOUNGE & SPA
AIRLINE Etihad Airways
AIRPORT Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal 3
DATE OPENED May 2016
INFO Measuring just under 1,700 sqm, Etihad Airway’s newest lounge consists of 16 zones. These include an à la carte restaurant, showcase bar, fitness room, cigar lounge, Six Senses Spa, Style & Shave barbers, nail bar, TV room, relaxation room, prayer room and children’s play room. The Residence customers also have their own exclusive area, which features custom-made Poltrona Frau Italian leather armchairs and sofas, a private shower room, a prayer room and private dining area. Oh, and did we mention that this area is served by a Savoy-trained butler too?
ELIGIBILITY Guests of The Residence, Etihad first class, Etihad Guest Exclusive, Etihad Guest platinum members (plus one guest), Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airline first class guests, EAP ‘Invitation only’ members (plus two guests) and EAP equivalent platinum members (plus one guest).
CASA ALITALIA
AIRLINE Alitalia
AIRPORT Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa airports
DATE OPENED May 2016
INFO The new Casa Alitalia lounges in Rome and Milan are part of a new concept conceived by the airline and famed Italian architect Marco Piva. With an emphasis on Italian hospitality, the lounges are designed to evoke an Italian home. The Rome facility can accommodate 115 guests while the Milan one has seats for 90. Each lounge comes with a live cooking area where chefs will prepare fresh pasta dishes and pizzas in front of guests. There is also a standard buffet area, as well as several VIP rooms, a library, prayer room, and shower facilities.
ELIGIBILITY Alitalia’s Freccia Alata Plus and Freccia Alata members, and Skyteam Elite Plus members, holders of long-haul and medium-haul Alitalia business class tickets and holders of Alitalia American Express Platinum cards flying with Alitalia. A single-use admission ticket can also be purchased for €30 (US$33) on the web.
PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE
AIRPORT Brisbane Airport
DATE OPENED June 2016
INFO As the debut Australian lounge by Plaza Premium, the new Brisbane facility has set a high benchmark. Located on level 4 of the departures area, the lounge features a rustic yet modern design. The carpet used throughout the facility is imported from New Zealand, while the flooring is made from Italian marble. Floor-to-ceiling windows help fill the lounge with natural sunlight, while providing views of the terminal and runway. Also present is the company’s signature honeycomb seating – productivity booths that provide privacy for single travellers looking to work in the lounge. There are plenty of electrical outlets available and complimentary wifi is also offered.
ELIGIBILITY The lounge is open to all travellers regardless of airline and travel class. A visit to the facility (up to five hours) will cost US$46.
Clement Huang
