First Star Alliance Lounge in Latin America
2013-01-30 — /travelprnews.com/ — Star Alliance and local ground handling company CrossRacer have opened a new lounge at Buenos Aires International Airport for the exclusive use of customers travelling on Star Alliance member carrier flights from the Argentine capital. First and Business Class passengers as well as Star Alliance Gold Card Holders have access to this new 450 square metre facility which is located on the second level of the new Terminal B. It offers space for around 130 guests and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The new Buenos Aires Lounge has been designed in a way that creates a unique local flavour and largely uses materials sourced from Argentina. Buenos Aires based bureau of architects, Estudio Roitman, was asked to draw up an appropriate design and developed an overall ambiance reflecting the tranquillity of the typical Argentinian “La Pampa”, or countryside. The light decor and variety of seating spaces create a relaxing and functional environment for guests to work, socialise, refresh, sit back, eat and relax.
Customers can choose from areas with large armchairs and couches with cushions, swivel chairs and low tables, Butterfly chairs and ottomans, or typical country armchairs with movable tables. A selection of local and international newspapers and magazines is available, as well as several televisions which provide access to local and international news and sports channels.
The food area offers a range of complimentary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea, as well as a variety of hot and cold snacks. Customers can enjoy their food and drink while socialising at a large communal table or, for a more intimate atmosphere, make use of small bar tables reminiscent of Buenos Aires cafes, or in the general seating areas of the lounge.
Passengers wishing to work can make use of the Business Centre which is equipped with desktop computers, printer, scanner and photocopier. It provides a quiet and sheltered area for meetings or telephone calls. Local calls are free, as is the Wi-Fi which is available throughout the lounge.
Dedicated toilet and shower facilities, luggage storage and flight information displays round off the lounge amenities.
The Buenos Aires Lounge also marks the implementation of a new Alliance design concept combining local elements with global branding guidelines. The Star Alliance Gold Logo, which is used to identify the benefits provided to the top tier of Alliance frequent travellers, is displayed at the lounge entrance. The traditional Star Alliance Earthpic* forms a backdrop to the reception desk, however it now appears in different shades of gold rather than the traditional black, white and blue colour scheme. Using a standard global font, travel and aviation related quotes from local authors and personalities are displayed on several walls around the lounge, providing a further example of combining global and local elements. A small “museum” with locally sourced travel related exhibits can also be found in the lounge. The new design is also being used in the lounge currently being built at the Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles.
The Star Alliance Lounge in Buenos Aires is a joint project between CrossRacer (www.crossracer.aero) and the Alliance. The idea was first discussed between CrossRacer, who have been appointed as handling agent for the majority of Star Alliance member carriers flying to the Argentine capital, and the Alliance during the development phase of Terminal B. The airport expansion provided Star Alliance with the opportunity to offer a dedicated lounge with a tailor-made product to its customers. CrossRacer financed, built and operates the lounge and all Star Alliance member carriers serving Buenos Aires are now sending their eligible customers to the new facility.
From Buenos Aires eight Star Alliance member airlines – Air Canada, Avianca, TACA Airlines, COPA, Lufthansa, South African Airways, TAM, Turkish Airlines and United – offer more than 130 weekly direct flights to 13 destinations in both North and South America, Europe and Africa.
* The Star Alliance Earthpic is the image of the Earth taken from outer space which the Alliance has used in its branding since its founding in 1997.
About Star Alliance:
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, TACA Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. EVA Air has been announced as future member. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,329 airports in 194 countries.
For further information please contact:
Star Alliance Press Office
Email:mediarelations@staralliance.com
www.staralliance.com