SkyTeam unveils Plans for Co-Branded Lounge at London Heathrow

As SkyTeam carriers plan their new service and operational relocation to Terminal 4 at London Heathrow International Airport, the alliance is augmenting its customer-focused presence at Heathrow – including the previously announced co-location project – with plans for the first co-branded SkyTeam alliance lounge. The lounge project is unique to the alliance in that for the first time, the design for the space is being determined jointly by all ten member or associate airlines serving or planning to serve Heathrow, namely Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines.

“SkyTeam continues to offer our passengers a superior travel experience before, during, in between and after their flights,” said Giorgio Callegari, chairman of SkyTeam Airport and Infrastructure Special Projects. “Heathrow provides a unique opportunity to build our brand presence from the ground up. We are focused on enhancing our customer offering and a co-branded lounge compliments our previously announced co-location plans. It is an exciting endeavour for the alliance, an opportunity to truly blend the cultures and brand identities of ten member airlines to strengthen the connection our customers have with SkyTeam.”

The new multi-level co-branded lounge will occupy a space of 1,500 square meters and accommodate approximately 325 seats. The first floor will open to alliance passengers travelling through Heathrow, including customers of SkyTeam associate airlines serving the airport (Kenya Airways), this autumn. The space will be completed and the second floor open alliance to passengers in spring 2009, in conjunction with the relocation of the remaining alliance carriers (Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Czech Airlines and Korean Air) to accompany Continental, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM and Northwest in Terminal 4. Long-term planning for the lounge will accommodate potential growth and the addition of future partners. Until the initial opening of the lounge in autumn, SkyTeam carriers operating out of and passengers departing from Terminal 4 will enjoy access to the current KLM lounge in the terminal, known as the ‘Holideck.’

SkyTeam has hired Desgrippes Gobé to develop the creative concept and design of its lounge at Heathrow. The spacious facility will be complete with the standard features travellers have come to expect, as well as new amenities that take advantage of the latest in design technology. For example, plans are under way for a wellness centre, including showers and therapeutic service offerings such as massages and manicures. Additional features include free wireless Internet access throughout the space.

In addition to the standard service desk area, the lounge space will feature different environments to accommodate a variety of customer needs and expectations. These include a quiet area for passengers needing privacy, a VIP area for First Class passengers and other VIP lounge guests and a children’s area.

Customers using the lounge will enjoy a unique menu of food options – a collaboration of all ten member airlines reflecting national and regional cultural influences. The standard lounge menu, featuring fresh ingredients, will be complemented each month with feature local dishes from a SkyTeam member carrier’s home market.

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