British Airway Unviels New Lounge in Dubai Airport

British Airways has unveiled its new lounge at

the newly built Concourse D in Dubai
International Airport. The airline’s new lounge
features a Concorde Bar for those flying in First.
BA says that the lounge has been designed to
“…maximise space using architectural elements
such as illuminated glass screens giving
customers separate spaces to work, relax or
dine, creating a calm and relaxing environment”.
The new lounge has a large framed wall mirror
that reflects the feature lighting making a more
spacious setting.
The lounge overlooks the airport’s shopping
area. Materials used for the lounge include
black Nero marble surfaces and European oak
flooring. Within the lounge, the new Concorde
Bar provides an exclusive area for First
customers and their guests to relax and unwind
in a private environment before boarding their
flight.
Troy Warfield, British Airways’ director of
customer experience, said: “Our premium
customers flying from Dubai will be able to
enjoy the airline’s newest lounge, featuring the
exclusive luxury of the Concorde Bar for First
customers. Our designers have created a
contemporary and stylish space for Club World
and First customers to relax, dine and refresh
before boarding their flight to Heathrow.
We have also ensured that, for the first time,
every single customer has access to power and
USB points throughout the new lounge to re-
charge their personal electronic devices.”
The new lounge features artwork from
established Iraqi-born artist, Dia Al Azzawi, as
well as Gulf heritage images from the British
Airways archive.
The new Dubai lounge is home to the airline’s
second Concorde Bar, the first of which opened
late last year in Singapore.
First customers will be given a special entry
card at reception for the private bar, which they
swipe at an electronic reader to gain access.
Inside, they will be able to choose from a
selection of premium drinks before relaxing in
the privacy of their own booth.
The lounge is open to British Airways’ First and
Club World (business class) customers as well
as Silver and Gold Executive Club members.
Emirates to Unveil New Business Class Seat
this Week
Emirates is to unveil its new business class
seat at international travel trade show ITB
Berlin this week. The new fully flat product will
launch on the carrier’s 170th B777 aircraft
which is due to be delivered in November, and
is described as “evolution as well as revolution”.
Emirates’ president Sir Tim Clark said that the
carrier had given its business class seat “a fresh
and modern look, retained all the existing
features that our customers love and added a
few more, while improving the seating and
sleeping comfort”.
Clark added that “We are always working
towards the next big leap, but at the same time
we continually look at the little ways we can
enhance what we already offer”.
“We believe this new Business Class seat
further strengthens the experience and value
proposition for our premium customers. We are
very excited about the arrival of our first Boeing
777 later this year with the new seats, and to
see how our customers will respond to it, which
I’m optimistic will be positive.”
The carrier said the new seat “was inspired by
the interior of a modern sports car, captured in
the diamond stitch pattern of a light grey full
leather cover, ergonomically designed headrest,
and its sleek overall look and feel”.
Enhanced features include improved lighting
options, an expanded personal meal table, and
redesigned privacy panels, literature pockets,
foot rests and show stowage areas.
Other features of the fully flat seat include a 72-
inch pitch, 23-inch TV screen, the carrier’s
latest touchscreen IFE controller, USB and HDMI
ports, and a “conveniently located mini-bar”.
The seat colour of dark and light grey with
burled walnut veneers will be retained, as will
the cabin’s 2-3-2 layout, and total number of
business class seats on board (42).
All newly delivered B777 aircraft following the
170th delivery will feature the revamped seat.
Emirates currently has 155 B777 aircraft in its
fleet, with a further 188 on order.
Curio Hotel’s Makes African Debut at MMIA
Hilton Worldwide has reached an agreement
with Quits Hospitality Ltd to open its first
property under the Curio – A Collection by
Hilton brand in Africa. The Legend Hotel is
expected to ope later this year and will be
located at Lagos Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Nigeria.
The Legend Hotel, which will be located within
the airport boundaries, will feature 54 guest
rooms, including eight suites. Travellers will
benefit from the hotel’s unrivalled proximity to
the international airport terminal, as well as
exclusive facilities for private jet and corporate
jet passengers of ExecuJet – which will allow
passengers same-building access to the arrivals
and departures services of this private aviation
company.
Launched in June 2014, the Curio collection is a
global set of remarkable upscale and luxury
hotels hand-picked for their unique character
and personality; each one a part of the city they
call home. By partnering with Hilton, these one-
of-a-kind hotels benefit from the proven track
record and quality synonymous with Hilton
without redefining the individualistic spirit of the
hotel. Global destinations available to travellers
now include more than 80 properties open or in
various stages of development, including
Germany, the U.S., Jamaica and Argentina.
“Curio is a great opportunity for investors
looking to benefit from the performance
advantage and smart innovations of Hilton,
whilst retaining the individual character and
identity of their hotel,” said, Patrick Fitzgibbon,
senior vice president of development Europe,
Middle East & Africa for Hilton Worldwide.