How they live: 'Top 10 airport lounges you’ll want to be stranded in'

[Newsjock]

Source: The Globe and Mail

Stranded by an ash cloud or some other act of nature? If the flight is overseas, the ticket is first-class or you're a “status” flier whose business an airline covets, then lucky you! Your fantasy airport waiting room awaits. International lounges – especially in heavily trafficked or airline hubs – handily out-glam domestic ones, experts say. And for every unloved terminal corner brimming with travellers and offering little more than bar mix and machine-dispensed espresso, there's an over-the-top testament to VIP privilege. Here are the best for waiting out ash clouds in comfort and style:

FRANKFURT: Lufthansa's First Class Terminal, Frankfurt am Main, by Terminal 1: One of two dedicated VIP terminals in the world (the other is Qatar Airways' in Doha), first-class passengers here are treated to complimentary valet parking or rental-car return, a personal assistant to speed them though check-in and security, and later plenty of lounge space with pod-like “relax chairs” and daybeds, a cigar lounge, à la carte dining, and a bar serving 100 single malts. A chauffeured Porsche or Mercedes zips travellers around the airport.

SYDNEY: Qantas's First Lounge, International Terminal: Australian designer Marc Newson patterned his first-class lounge after Qantas's sleek A380 airplane fleet, introducing lots of Poltrona Frau furniture and Carrara marble. There's a Payot Paris day spa, a 48-seat open-kitchen restaurant shepherded by Aussie uber-chef Neil Perry, an entertainment area with Sony PlayStations and movies, free Wi-Fi and conference facilities. The best features are the 180-degree views of Sydney, and an air-freshening tropical garden of 8,400 plants set into a 30-metre wall.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/news-and-trends/travel-news/top-10-airport-lounges-youll-want-to-be-stranded-in/article2037336/singlepage/#articlecontent

[Odin2005]

1. While us poor shmucks are packed in like sardines and trated like criminals.

[rfranklin]

2. Actually the truly wealthy do no wait in lounges...

they board directly onto their private jets.

[mainer]

3. true, that. Airport lounges are mostly business travelers

who're probably flying courtesy of their companies.

The truly wealthy have their own jets, or part-shares in a jet.

[pipoman]

4. It is because they are throwing massive amounts of money away..

I checked the difference between 1st class and coach for a recent trip. The coach tickets were $300 each round trip, 1st class was $1100...for a crappy lunch box and a comfy seat for a 2 hour ride. No wonder they can have lavish facilities built.


On a side note, we did upgrade to economy plus for $40..it was MUCH better than coach with 6" more leg room...it made a huge difference for us 6' men.

[HipChick]

6. Many are not paying for 1st class..I flew first class for years..always got the upgrades free

[Initech]

5. You should see the private air terminal my company designed.

Good fucking god is this place a palace. Go here to see the pictures:

www.millionair.com - click on the San Bernardino location.

Seriously - wow.