Airport’s New VIP Lounge, Open to All Passengers
SAN JOSE, 2013-01-09 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) and Airport Lounge Development (ALD) are pleased to offer The Club at SJC, a “common use” VIP lounge located across from gate 15 on the third level, open to all airline passengers beginning January 10, 2013. By purchasing a day pass for $35, travelers have access to all the amenities of an airport lounge where they can escape the hustle and bustle of the terminals to work quietly, meet with clients, or freshen up during their journey.
“We built The Club at SJC in response to customer demand and to enhance the excellent experience passengers tell us they are currently enjoying. It is an appropriate investment for Mineta San José International Airport, the international gateway for Silicon Valley,” said Director of Aviation Bill Sherry. “Travelers can enjoy a warm and welcoming environment offering a variety of settings – social spaces for dining or a cocktail, places to attend to business matters, or quiet areas for reading, writing and relaxing. Impressive works provided by artists of the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, in partnership with the lounge operator, add to the customer experience.”
At a reception and tour of The Club at SJC today, these amenities were highlighted:
– Complimentary snacks and beverages, including beer, wine and liquor
– High-speed Wi-Fi
– Newspapers, magazines, TVs and flight information monitors
– Shower facility (towels, shampoo and soap are provided)
– Business center with PC workstations and printers
– VIP conference room
“The Club at” brand of lounges is a relatively new concept and is quickly becoming the next “must have” in passenger services for airports. ”We’ve seen a real need for passengers to be able to get away from the sometimes crowded departure areas and into a lounge where they can have ample comfortable seating, charging stations throughout the lounge, and, in the case of SJC, shower facilities for those looking to freshen up,” said Graham Richards, Director of Operations for ALD.
“We provide all of this at an affordable price, without the yearly membership fees. We’re encouraging SJC travelers to include The Club as part of their planning as it will enhance their overall travel experience.”
All SJC passengers, both domestic and international, have access to the lounge located beyond passenger screening, regardless of the carrier they’re flying or class of ticket they purchased. Travelers simply purchase a day pass at the lounge reception desk for $35 to access all amenities offered. Priority Pass members have access to the lounge and some SJC airlines offer their premium class or high-mileage status passengers access, at no additional cost.
With approximately 7,400 square feet, the lounge has seating for 128 people and offers multiple sitting areas, including recharge stations, work stations, and bar. The lounge provides an economic boost for the local area with the addition of 18 San Jose-based jobs. To reserve the VIP conference room, call The Club at SJC directly at 408-441-4550. Learn more about “The Club at” brand of lounges or The Club at SJC at www.theclubairportlounges.com.
Regional artists have their works on display in the lounge through a partnership between ALD and the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA). This exhibition marks the inauguration of the ICA’s On the Road satellite exhibitions program. Together, Kathryn Dunlevie and Doug Glovaski have 10 works on display and available for sale to lounge customers. Clive McCarthy’s “electric painting” titled Runway Overnight was created specifically for SJC. The piece employs more than 300 base images, which are digitally painted over in a random sequence continuing almost indefinitely. The artwork will remain on view in the lounge through July 2013, at which time the ICA will install a new exhibition.
“The ICA is honored to partner with SJC and ALD to introduce our new satellite exhibitions program,” said ICA Executive Director Cathy Kimball. “Through our On The Road exhibitions we have exciting new opportunities to introduce ourselves and the many talented artists with whom we work, to a diverse community both at home and abroad.”
About Airport Lounge Development, Inc.
Airport Lounge Development Inc. is a Texas based corporation and part of The Collinson Group Ltd., a company with a nearly 50-year track record of success within the travel and financial services industry. ALD specializes in the design, construction, operation, management and marketing of shared use airport VIP lounges. ALD’s four other lounges include: The Club at DFW, located in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, The Club at RDU, located in the Raleigh Durham International Airport and The Club at LAS in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 in Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport. For more information, visit www.airportloungedev.com.
About San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
The ICA, located in downtown San Jose, was founded in 1980 by a group of artists who wanted to present cutting-edge, innovative art and experimental work in a curated space. Their goal was to get out in front of traditional museum programming and to present the newest work being created in the region. Today the ICA remains committed to that vision. The mission of the ICA is to encourage creativity by presenting and interpreting thought-provoking contemporary art to a diverse audience. It is uniquely positioned between the area’s larger museums and smaller galleries, and presents the work of established regional artists while also offering exhibition opportunities for emerging and under-recognized mid-career artists. For more information, visit www.sjica.org.
About Mineta San José International Airport
Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is Silicon Valley’s airport, a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. SJC served 8.4 million passengers in 2011, and offers approximately 120 daily flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 30 nonstop destinations. The airport’s $1.3 billion comprehensive modernization project, completed in 2010, makes SJC the most technologically advanced airport in the nation and the first terminal awarded LEED Silver certification for environmental sustainability. Silicon Valley’s airport is located in San José, California’s third largest city and the nation’s tenth largest city. For more airport information, visit www.flysanjose.com.
– SJC –
Contact:
Rosemary Barnes
(408) 392-3608 / rbarnes@sjc.org