Air France has opened an expanded lounge at Washington Dulles airport, with facilities including a night dining service for those looking to sleep inflight.
The business class and La Premiere (first class) lounge is now spread over 615 sqm on two floors, with space for up to 155 guests.
Facilities include a dining area “designed in the spirit of a Parisian brasserie”, where customers can help themselves from the self-service buffet, or opt for the new Night Service when travelling on the carrier’s overnight flight AF027 to Paris CDG.
Guests can request a full meal (starter, hot dish, cheese and dessert) mirroring what they would have been served inflight, allowing them to go to sleep soon after take-off.
There is also a new bar “dressed in a lacquered metal structure and completely open to the lounge”, serving wines, champagnes, spirits and (for the first time in an Air France lounge) cold draught beers.
The upper floor of the lounge features light screens which “perfectly mimic sunlight and the colour of the sky”, allowing guests to relax in chaise longues and other seating.
Lounge facilities include showers, free wifi, plug sockets and USB ports close to each seat, a co-working space, a VIP area for those travelling in La Premiere, and another area reserved for Ultimate customers, the top tier in the Flying Blue loyalty programme.
The design follows that being rolled out to the carrier’s latest lounges worldwide, with wide bench seating and brightly-coloured individual chairs.
Air France operates two daily flights between Washington and Paris CDG, departing the US at 1805 and 2110. Sister carrier KLM also operates a daily service between Washington and Amsterdam Schiphol, departing Dulles at 1745.
In December Air France unveiled its revamped lounge at New York JFK.