Johannesburg. 27 April 2010. South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, has opened new and revamped airport lounges across the country. A new and improved International Departures lounge has been opened at O.R Tambo International Airport for the convenience of SAA’s international travelers. Further, and for the comfort of SAA customers travelling on the airline’s domestic routes, a Platinum and Business Class lounge has opened at Cape Town International Airport.
The opening of these new and improved facilities comes after months of extensive construction of the lounges and re-design of interiors to create a world class experience for SAA’s customers to enjoy. While the design throughout all the lounges offers a dramatic change from the previous look and feel, it remains true to SAA’s uniquely South African heritage and African roots.
The International Departures Lounge at O.R Tambo International Airport is SAA’s flagship departures lounge and rivals the best international airline lounges in the world. Situated on the Mezzanine floor of the international departures terminal after passport control, the 2500 square metre space is divided into two areas, one for First Class customers, Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Platinum members and the other for Business Class customers, Voyager Gold and Silver, Star Alliance Gold and SAA/Nedbank Platinum Gold credit card members. The entire area is a combination of luxury, modernity, practicality and touch of African opulence, which is evident in the fittings, furniture and other finishes.
Research into SAA’s customers’ needs was a key factor in determining the final concept and design of the lounge. “In order to make the final product a success, warmly welcomed and appreciated by our customers, we needed to understand what they wanted in the space,” says Nomvula Nkabinde, SAA General Manager Sales and Marketing.
The lounge was designed with customer comfort in mind, taking into consideration that the time spent in the area averaged around 90 minutes.
Some customer requirements included a view of the airport runway, wireless and high speed internet connection and an upgraded product, all of which have been incorporated into the design. Another requirement was a Left Luggage facility, a baggage deposit area within the space.
The lounge includes a spectacular view of the ORTIA runway assisted by a raised platform. Other luxuries include rest (snooze) rooms, rainfall showers for indulgence, an enclosed cigar lounge, an audio-visual entertainment room, dedicated internet, built-in private entertainment screens and private boardrooms. The runway view is carried through into this area with its chic furnishings. Here there is a self-service food area and a served bar. A children’s area offers high-tech entertainment.
The Domestic Departures Lounge at Cape Town International Airport is separated into two entrances, one for Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Platinum cardholders and the other for Business Class passengers, Voyager Silver and Gold members and Star Gold members. A simplified version of the new design runs throughout this lounge, which is 1180 square metres. SAA customers have a view of Cape Town International Airport’s runway and a variety of facilities are available to them, including a self-service food and beverage area, a audio visual area, an enclosed smokers lounge, a kids area and showers.
Also set to open over the next few weeks is a SAA Business Class lounge at the new King Shaka International Airport and at OR Tambo, an exclusive Kerbside Check-in facility and Arrivals Lounge.
The Domestic Business Class lounge at the new King Shaka International Airport, north of Durban, will open on Saturday, 1 May and will be available to SAA’s Business Class passengers.
SAA’s new Arrivals Lounge at O.R Tambo International Airport will be situated in the area directly after Customs and is available to SAA Business Class passengers, Voyager Lifetime Platinum, Platinum and Gold card holders travelling on the airline’s international and regional flights. The lounge offers passengers a chance to refresh after a long journey. It is especially useful to passengers transferring onto connecting flights or those in the country for business purposes. The facility offers a food and beverage service, showers and a clothes pressing service, as well as an email and internet area and an enclosed smokers lounge.
Finally, the SAA Kerbside Check-In facility will be the only one of its kind at O.R Tambo Airport and is situated on the kerb when walking towards the new domestic terminal. Here SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Voyager Platinum cardholders can conveniently check-in for their flights. An exclusive and personal service is offered to each customer. On arrival at this Kerbside check-in facility, a concierge collects the customer’s luggage, who is escorted to a personal check-in desk.
Issued by SAA Group Corporate Affairs
