Scandinavian Airlines and Air Canada open 'The London Lounge' at Heathrow

Scandinavian Airlines and Air Canada today officially opened a joint passenger lounge at London Heathrow Airport that combines state-of-the-art facilities in a setting of exquisite Scandinavian design with the creature comforts valued by travellers far from home.

Called 'The London Lounge,' the two-story 1,300m(2) lounge seats 350 people and is one of the most conveniently located at Heathrow Terminal 3, directly adjacent to the duty free transit area. 'The London Lounge' functions as a combined Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and SAS Business Lounge for the airlines' premium customers and is also accessible to eligible customers of fellow Star Alliance carriers such as THAI Airways and Varig.

Designed by Swedish architects Thomas Eriksson Arkitechts TEArk, the new lounge is three times larger than the old SAS Business Lounge and twice the size of Air Canada's previous Maple Leaf Lounge. 

The lounge was designed on two floors to create different atmospheres to suit travellers' varying needs. Catering to both short haul European and long haul intercontinental flyers, the ground floor provides a livelier atmosphere, similar to a hotel lobby, where guests can mingle and enjoy a beverage or a bite to eat, while the upper floor offers a more 'relax-and-unwind' atmosphere with comfortable seating areas including massage chairs, a library and showers.

The innovative style of the lounge is further complemented by several works of art including mini Buddha figures by Fredrik Wretmann and Albin Karlsson's clock. Award winning Canadian textile artist Elyse de la Fontaine has two prominent pieces on display including a three-metre structure suspended from the roof in the style of a mobile.

The lounge also features a 12-seat cinema; a games room reflecting the traditions of both Canada and Scandinavia with table top curling developed by a former member of the Swedish Olympic team; and a separate Kids Lounge. A state-of-the-art business centre provides customers with computers and high speed Internet access including wireless options, telephone, fax and printers. A buffet area provides fresh fruit, snacks and hot and cold drinks including Canadian favourites such as Labatts and Sleeman's beers. Canadian and Scandinavian newspapers and magazines are also available among an international selection of reading material.

Scandinavian Airlines Senior Vice President Marketing & Product Management Jens Willumsen said: "In conjunction with Air Canada, we are proud to jointly offer a lounge that satisfies all the needs of today's business traveller. A place for relaxation, amusement, refreshment of body and mind, as well as somewhere to catch up on your work and keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues."

Air Canada Senior Vice President International and Alliances, Ross MacCormack, said "The London Lounge is all about bringing together the very best of what Star Alliance partners have to offer so our customers benefit the most according to their varying needs. Together, we can offer more choice of service than any single carrier could while maintaining the individuality that our customers know and appreciate."