Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) will be giving its domestic lounges at Itami, Fukuoka and Naha Airports an overhaul starting early next year, with current lounges being relocated and enlarged, and a number of entirely new facilities also due to be built.
The overhaul will notably include the airline’s ANA Suite Lounge and ANA Lounge at Itami Airport undergo renovation first in early February, along with the ANA Lounge at Fukuoka Airport. These will be followed by the ANA Suite Lounge at Naha Airport in late February, with work on the airport’s ANA Lounge beginning in autumn next year.
However, Fukuoka Airport also will be getting a new ANA Suite Lounge (early February), while both Fukuoka (early February) and Itami (autumn 2019) will see the addition of ANA Premium Check-in Counters. The lounge at Naha Airport, meanwhile, will be getting a private priority security check lane.
All current lounges will remain open throughout the construction period.
Renowned architect Kengo Kuma, whose recent works include the new Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing hotel that opened in June this year, will oversee the design of the lounges, which ANA says will embody the same “Ichigo ichie” design concept seen in its facilities at Chitose Airport.
Speaking about the design of the new lounges, Kuma said, “I aim to subtly incorporate unique local characteristics from each region into each of these lounges, to add to their individual distinctiveness as works of art. I hope that my design contributions can improve the travel experience of every passenger who walks through the doors.”
Both the ANA Suite Lounges and the ANA Lounges will be getting a “Yamato Wall” – those in the former will be made from walnut while those in the latter will be constructed out of Japanese kalopanax trees. New sofas and chairs have also been designed for both types of lounges.
The airline’s ANA Suite Lounges are open to: Diamond Service members; Lounge Access Card holders; and first class passengers connecting from a domestic to international flight (both operated by ANA) within 24 hours of one another. All are able to bring one additional guest.
The ANA Lounges, meanwhile, are open to: Diamond and Platinum Service members (plus one guest); Super Flyers members (plus one guest); Lounge Access Card holders (plus one guest); Star Alliance Gold members (plus one guest); ANA Card Premium holders; premium class passengers on domestic flights (plus one guest); and business class passengers connecting from a domestic to international flight (both operated by ANA) within 24 hours of one another.
