South African Airways (SAA) has opened new and revamped airport lounges across South Africa.
These include a new International Departures lounge at OR Tambo International Airport as well as a Platinum and Business Class lounge at Cape Town International for passengers travelling on the airline’s domestic routes.
The International Departures Lounge at OR Tambo is situated on the Mezzanine floor of the international departures terminal after passport control. The 2 500 square metre space is divided into two areas, one for first-class customers, Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Platinum members and the other for business-class customers, Voyager Gold and Silver and Star Alliance Gold members and SAA/Nedbank Platinum Gold credit card holders.
Some customer requirements included a view of the airport runway, wireless and high-speed Internet connection and an upgraded product, all of which have been incorporated into the design. Another requirement was a ‘left luggage’ facility.
The lounge includes a view of the runway assisted by a raised platform. Other facilities include rest (snooze) rooms, rainfall showers, an enclosed cigar lounge, an audio-visual entertainment room, dedicated Internet, built-in private entertainment screens and private boardrooms. There is also a self-service food area and a served bar. A children’s area offers high-tech entertainment.
The 1 180-sqm Domestic Departures Lounge at Cape Town International Airport is divided into two areas, one for Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Platinum cardholders and the other for business-class passengers, Voyager Silver and Gold members and Star Alliance Gold members. Customers have a view of the runway and a variety of facilities are available, including a self-service food and beverage area, an audio visual area, an enclosed smokers’ lounge, a kids’ area and showers.
Also set to open over the next few weeks is an SAA business-class lounge at King Shaka International Airport, and at OR Tambo, an exclusive kerbside check-in facility and Arrivals Lounge.
The domestic lounge at King Shaka will open on May 1 and will be available to SAA’s business-class passengers.
SAA’s new Arrivals Lounge at OR Tambo will be situated in the area directly after customs and is available to SAA business-class passengers, Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Platinum and Gold card holders travelling on the airline’s international and regional flights. The lounge offers passengers a chance to refresh after a long journey. It is especially useful to passengers transferring on to connecting flights or those arriving for business meetings. The facility offers a food and beverage service, showers and a pressing service for clothes, as well as an email and Internet area and an enclosed smokers’ lounge.
According to the airline, the SAA kerbside check-in facility will be the only one of its kind at OR Tambo and is situated on the kerb when walking towards the new domestic terminal. Here SAA Voyager Lifetime Platinum and Voyager Platinum cardholders can check in for their flights. On arrival, a concierge collects the customer’s luggage and then escorts them to a personal check-in desk.
