Passengers using the Business Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, operated by Qantas and used by Cathay Pacific and British Airways, see a facility that has undergone multi-million dollar upgrade. And travelers using the Plaza Premium Lounge in the International Departures area at Canada’s Vancouver International Airport will also see major changes.

This investment in the Business Lounge delivers on a promise to continually set the benchmark for premium travel and maintain Qantas’ position as the airline of choice for Americans travelling to Australia, said spokeswoman Courtney Treak.

The lounge is open to the three carriers’ eligible frequent flyers, along with oneworld members.

The new lounge will be more than double the size of the current one, offering almost 600 seats when completed, said Treak.  The new facility will include:

• Menus inspired by a mix of local West Coast U.S. and Asian flavors;
• A new dining area with views to the kitchen offering fresh, regional dishes;
• A wine bar offering signature cocktails and bar snacks, and a barista service;
• A circular internal fireplace to relax and socialise around; and
• Seating surrounding a central glass atrium.

The Lounge will be open in phases, with phase one opening in April 2014 with completion in the second half of 2014, aligning to the broader Tom Bradley International redevelopment.

Further north in Vancouver, the upgraded Plaza Premium Lounge measures 6700 sq ft, making it the largest pay-per-use lounge facility in Canada. The Vancouver lounge, which opened in 2004, was the company’s first one in Canada and the first pay-per-use lounge in the country, said spokeswoman Mei Mei Song.

 

“Travellers have high expectation. They demand better and better all the time, so we make it our policy to update the service and facilities every three years,” she said. “This time around, we went all out. We want to make your travel experience out of Vancouver International Airport first class.”

The new airport lounge is a part of Premium Plaza’s line of fifth-generation airport lounges, said Song. “We focused on two main elements: choice and interactivity. We have introduced a more than a handful of seating configurations, some better suited for the business travellers equipped with convenient sockets, reading lights etc.,” she said. “[While] some are suited for the family, and some seating designed just for dining.”

Premium Plaza provides a tailored experience for travelers  said Song. “We have also included nap rooms and showers, which are a godsend pre-flight."

Premium Plaza introduced a noodle bar, where the noodles are made-to-order, said Song. “We've also amped up the food selection and we've also introduced healthier options."

The concept that the lounge was founded on is opening it to all travelers, regardless of what airlines or class of travel they may be in, said Song. “Our founder, Song Hoi-see, founded this concept from his own experience as a business traveller, travelling on his own dime,” she said. “Having experienced business class lounges in his previous job, he felt that if lounges were open to all travellers, it would make the airport experience much more enjoyable.” Entry to the lounge in Vancouver starts from CDN$35 for two hours.

Plaza Premium Lounges will be announcing a handful of new Canadian destinations soon, said Song. “Globally, we are opening several new facilities, not just lounges,” she said. “We have recently opened two lounges and an airport hotel in Abu Dhabi and two lounges and an airport hotel in Bengaluru, India.”

The company will be opening its first European destination at London Heathrow Airport, said Song. We will also be opening in Sydney Kingsford, as well as Macau and the new KLIA2 in Malaysia,” she said. “This is our plan for the next five months."