British Airways Unveils Rome Lounge
British Airways has just unveiled a brand new lounge at Rome's Fiumicino Airport as part of its £4.5 billion investment into improving its customer experience.
Similar to the redesigned Concorde Room at Heathrow, the lounge has a "Best of British" design theme, with a luxurious and contemporary feel. Covering a space of 460 square metres, the lounge can fit nearly 140 customers and features various different zones where customers can work or relax before their flight.
The main focal point is a granite topped feature bar, with bespoke lighting and comfortable low seating. During peak hours the bar will be manned by a mixologist who will prepare made-to-order cocktails, while in quieter periods customers can help themselves to a wide range of beverages on offer.
High windows allow for plenty of natural light and offer fantastic views of the runway. The windows will feature smart electronic blinds that are programmed with sensors to react to light and heat throughout the day, ensuring that the lounge is always a comfortable place to relax in. Other features include marble tables, textured wall décor and artwork by English artist Patrick Caulfield, including a number of pieces from his 1973 series of 22 screen prints titled “Some Poems of Jules Laforgue”.
Passengers with phones and laptops will be pleased to know there will be power and USB points throughout the lounge, as well as wireless printers for those last-minute printing needs.
Sarah Klatt-Walsh, British Airways’ head of product, said:
“The lounges need to cater to the very varying needs of our customers. The same traveller may be flying with us one day for business and need the space and technology to work and be travelling the next week on holiday when they will want to relax with a drink and some food ahead of their flight.
“The new design lounges will deliver bespoke zones that work for our customers with a new look and feel we think they’ll love.”
British Airways is upgrading several of its lounges in the coming months; the next lounge to receive a new look will be at New York’s JFK Terminal 7. The airline will also be opening a new lounge in Aberdeen later this year and further investment is then planned in Geneva, San Francisco, Johannesburg and Chicago.
BA's £4.5 billion investment for customers will include installation of WiFi and power in every seat, as well as new cabin interiors. The airline will take delivery of 72 new aircraft and has invested £600m specifically into Club World Business Class. Customers can currently enjoy bedding by The White company and from 2018 there will be a new Business Class seat with direct aisle access.
