Thursday, February 22, 2024
The oneworld® alliance has inaugurated its premier fully branded European lounge in Amsterdam, offering travelers a refined space to relax and recharge before their journeys commence. This new oneworld lounge, debuting shortly after the alliance’s introduction of its inaugural premium lounge at Incheon International Airport, Seoul, in January, marks a significant enhancement to the premium travel experience.
In partnership with ASPIRE, the lounge subsidiary of Swissport, a global aviation ground services provider, oneworld has unveiled this second branded lounge as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Situated in the non-Schengen departure area of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the expansive 473 square-meter luxury lounge presents a variety of chic seating options within a contemporary, well-lit environment, inviting customers to unwind, replenish, and revitalize prior to their flights.
The design of oneworld’s new lounge pays homage to Amsterdam, featuring custom lighting fixtures inspired by the spherical lights adorning the city’s iconic arched canal bridges, a motif echoed in the lounge’s entrance portal. Drawing further inspiration from the city’s avian inhabitants, playful bird silhouettes adorn the lounge bar, with one whimsically depicted blowing bubble gum.
Strategically positioned within a mere 10-minute walk from departure gates serving oneworld member airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, and Royal Jordanian, the lounge ensures convenient access for eligible oneworld customers. As the exclusive lounge for international departures outside of the Schengen area, the oneworld lounge caters to passengers traveling to over 900 destinations worldwide through the extensive oneworld member network, with collectively more than 200 weekly flights connecting Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to the Netherlands’ capital.
Julio Rodriguez, International Airlines Group (IAG) Chief Commercial Strategy Officer, said: “As the alliance celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, it’s great to see that customers from all member airlines will benefit from access to oneworld’s first branded lounge experience in Europe.
“With oneworld carriers jointly operating more than 200 flights a week, the launch of the new lounge will further strengthen the presence of the alliance at Schiphol, and benefit IAG customers flying to and through this key market in Europe.”
Neil Chernoff, British Airways Director of Networks and Alliances, said: “As a founding member of oneworld 25 years ago, British Airways is proud to support the opening of the alliance’s first fully-branded European lounge. Amsterdam is hugely popular with our customers as we operate up to 116 flights per week from London, together with our subsidiary airlines.
“Being part of the oneworld alliance gives our customers access to around 900 destinations around the globe, and we look forward to continuing to be a part of its continued success.”
Smail Boudjennah, Regional Manager for Western Europe at Qatar Airways, said: “ This is an exciting and ground-breaking moment indeed for the oneworld alliance airlines, and Qatar Airways is very proud to take part in welcoming Europe’s first oneworld branded lounge here in Amsterdam. We are in good company alongside the world’s leading airlines as this new lounge illustrates how oneworld and its members continue to collectively provide an unparalleled experience to customers.”
Gerhard Girkinger, oneworld Vice President, Customer Experience, Delivery and Membership, said: “The launch of our first oneworld branded lounge in Europe – following on from our recent lounge opening at Incheon International Airport in Seoul – is a proud moment for everyone connected with the world’s leading airline alliance.
“It’s also fantastic for our customers who enjoy premium benefits and luxury air travel when flying with oneworld member airlines. The new lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, opened as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, provides a contemporary setting that caters for the diverse needs of oneworld customers.
“We have created a lounge that upholds our vision to make travel bright. Customers can expect a modern setting that blends refined fixtures and fittings with digital technologies and warm, ergonomic seating areas, offering a memorable travel experience.”
David Collyer, Swissport International AG Global Vice President Executive Lounges, said: “After partnering with the oneworld alliance on their fully branded lounge at Incheon, we are delighted to be working together again on oneworld’s first lounge in Europe, which looks fantastic.
“Our hospitality products are carefully developed to meet the unique and evolving needs of our airline, alliance and airport partners. Swissport and our ASPIRE team have applied the same standard of excellence to the oneworld lounge in Amsterdam.”
The newly established lounge operates every day from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm*, catering to eligible oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for destinations outside of the Schengen area on oneworld flights. Additionally, First and Business Class travelers flying with oneworld member airlines are also welcome to enjoy the facilities during these hours.
Eye for design: behind the new lounge’s aesthetic
Jochem Straatman, D/DOCK Art Director, said: “The Amsterdam lounge is a futuristic, vibrant setting that blends open spaces to encourage relaxation, especially as the Dutch skies are omnipresent through the immense windows, which are a fantastic feature of this lounge. With a Travel Bright twist, guests can also experience a mesmerising luminous horizon, theatrically revealed by lifted curtains.
“We have delivered a contemporary, premium lounge experience with typologies, fittings and furnishings that pay homage to life in the Netherlands. The lounge experience makes travel simple, relaxing and enjoyable. While this and the Incheon lounge have their own distinct identity, both share the same unique oneworld look and feel, creating a sense of familiarity across our lounges.”
Patrons can effortlessly explore the lounge, choosing a spot that matches their vibe and encountering its captivating signature ‘mood light,’ which transitions in color according to the time of day.
Meticulous attention to detail, coupled with the incorporation of unconventional and custom materials such as a moss wall, establishes a fresh and exhilarating environment where oneworld customers can indulge in a contemporary interpretation of luxury with a futuristic edge.
Members of airline alliances can still enjoy access to over 600 airport lounges worldwide through their oneworld Priority Tier Benefits.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
