CNN Business Traveller

Richard Quest, CNN’s British-born New York based anchor-man, has been busy trying to discover the latest in airport executive lounges.  These have become the ultimate place to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of busy main terminals with spa treatments, gourmet foods and hot showers.

His investigation is being aired on the channel during March (see below and also Priority Pass).

Turkish Airlines’ approach is explored by the programme: its lounge in Istanbul is one of the largest and most impressive in the world, boasting approximately 60,000sq ft for lounging, dining and entertainment.

”Have the airlines found the perfect formula to keep passengers happy?”, asks Quest.

From opulent and exclusive to the most innovative and inclusive, the programme tries to analyse the lounge race which is bidding for traveller’s patronage.  As some airlines step up their services with private terminals, independent companies are also entering the market showing that the airport lounge is not only for the elite.
 
The CNN investigation includes Cathay Pacific, whose re-branded facilities in Hong Kong are being leveraged as a branding tool.  Lufthansa’s First-Class examples in Frankfurt are equipped with personal assistants and vehicles to take travellers straight to their aircraft.

The programme also meets Markus Binkert, CCO of SWISS, who reveals details of the airline’s different lounges, from First to Business Class.  http://edition.cnn.com

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franco mancassola, honolulu HI USA

Quest is a solid, well prepared journalist and hopefully his reporting will highlight some of the shambolic and inadequate "airport lounges" that are more of a stressful than a relaxing experience.