British Airways is installing sleep pods in a selection of its lounges. The new sleep pods opened initially in the First Galleries Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 from Monday, 17 May 2021.
Called ‘Forty Winks’ the new area has seven of the pods, which BA are calling ‘Energy Pods’ in the old business centre area of the First Lounge.
The pods are from Rest Works.
The pods are available without pre-booking, with a traffic light system at the entrance to the area and lights on top of the pods to show whether they are occupied or free.
The pods are also being fitted in the Concorde Room at Heathrow Terminal 5 (five of them there) and the JFK Lounge (three of them there).
Use of the pods is complimentary and operates on a self-service basis so customers do not need to pre-book. Passengers can use the ‘Your Menu’ lounge app to check if a pod is available, with the information also available on a screen outside the Forty Winks entrance. Dettol hand sanitiser stations are positioned in the nap lounges, and Dettol antibacterial wipes used to keep the pod surfaces clean after each use.
BA says that passengers can set a timer or use the one-touch start button for a pre-programmed 20-minute nap. The pod reclines to “elevate the feet and promote relaxation”. The adjustable privacy visor can be swivelled into place to block out distractions. Audio content for use while in the lounge and traveling can be downloaded via the Rest Works mobile app.
When open, Concorde Room customers will be able book a pod via dedicated staff in the lounge, request a time they would like to be woken and choose a hot beverage to enjoy after their rest. Water and hot towels will be provided to add to the refreshing awakening experience.
Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “We can’t wait to welcome our customers back after a very difficult year, and we’re always looking for new ideas to support our customers’ health and wellbeing pre-flight.
“In late 2019 we carried out a survey of over 100,000 lounge guests asking what they would like to see featured in our lounges. Sleep pods were right at the top of their list. Our ’Forty Winks’ nap lounges will offer a dedicated rejuvenation space for customers as they return to the skies, all self-serviced via the ‘Your Menu’ lounge app. Beating jetlag and catching a snooze on the go has never been easier!”
Christopher Lindholst, Restworks’ Global Managing Director, said: “Being able to rest while travelling is an important way to stay healthy and energised, and what better way to use your dwell time than to catch up on some sleep. We are excited British Airways is making this important investment in customer wellbeing.”
Currently the First lounge is open to all lounge-eligible customers, giving those who are travelling in Club World (business class) a chance to try the new sleep pods.
