Easyjet is adding airport lounges in a bid to woo business travellers.
The low cost carrier is making a break from the traditional no-frills model by offering the lounges to its passengers at an extra charge.
At a cost from £12 per passenger, the lounges offer complimentary drinks including wines, beer and spirits, snacks, newspapers and magazines. Business facilities include phone, fax, computers with internet access and printers, and some lounges have showers.
Easyjet passengers can book the lounges online at www.easyjetlounges.com and use the lounge for up to three hours before their plane departs.
The lounges are operated by Servisair/Globeground and will be available in 33 Easyjet airports inEurope, althoughBelfast,Basel and Paris Orly airports do not have lounges.
Customers wearing shorts, football shirts or baseball caps will be turned away according to the rules stated on the website and some lounges don't allow children under the age of 12.
This is not the first business traveller-friendly initiative undertaken by Easyjet. Earlier this year the airline trialled a scheme to offer passengers the chance to board the aircraft first for a fee of £10, allowing them to take the seat of their choice. A second trial at a UK airport is being considered.
Easyjet last year trialled self-service check-in machines atNottingham East Midlands Airport, and consequently rolled them out atNottingham East Midlands,Geneva andBerlin airports, with other airports under consideration.
Report by Ginny McGrath
