SIA to spend $20m to build, upgrade airport lounges worldwide

[stargold]

One would always know what she can expect out of it regardless of the class of her travel.

What a strange line of logic. So are we saying it's a good thing if I travel in F and always know that I can expect the same lounge I can get when I travel in J? Even though I might have paid considerably more for the ticket? And even though J lounge often gets extremely crowded due to the higher number of J and status pax so it would be a distinctly less desirable atmosphere?

It's good especially if there can't be a big differentiation between F SKL and the *A lounges.

You lost me completely on this one.

[concept|infinit]

Guys, I don't work for SQ. I was mere trying to rationalize why SQ might be integrating the lounges as SQJunkie posted, my assumption being that SQ knows what they're doing! How would you explain why they'd want to integrate the lounges then?

That would be a rather strange marketing perspective to adopt. Why would the SKL be the brand that is being optimized?
The relevant brands are SQ First Class, SQ Business Class and SQ Economy Class.

Isn't the lounge experience a very integral part of the premium cabin travel experience? If I were SQ, I would want SKL to be a very strong brand that travelers would identify with well.

What a strange line of logic. So are we saying it's a good thing if I travel in F and always know that I can expect the same lounge I can get when I travel in J? Even though I might have paid considerably more for the ticket? And even though J lounge often gets extremely crowded due to the higher number of J and status pax so it would be a distinctly less desirable atmosphere?

Yes that's the downside I thought about too. It would be a downgrade for those flying in F. ButSurely this wouldn't be for Changi where the F lounge is spectacular with its specialised sub-lounge with an a la carte menu, The Private Room.

I have only been to the T2 and T3 Changi ones, never been to the overseas ones so you tell me. Beyond how crowded it is, is there a distinction between the F and J lounges? Like in terms the food or amenities?

I meant to say that if there isn't really much of a difference between the F and J lounges, wouldn't it be nicer to have one big lounge instead?

[Desert Traveller]

Is there any word out on the opening of the SKL at ICN?

The Seoul lounge is slated for completion at Incheon International Airport by the end of this year.

The end of this year is not far away now.

[FlyingDan]

I have only been to the T2 and T3 Changi ones, never been to the overseas ones so you tell me. Beyond how crowded it is, is there a distinction between the F and J lounges? Like in terms the food or amenities?

I meant to say that if there isn't really much of a difference between the F and J lounges, wouldn't it be nicer to have one big lounge instead?

In my personal experience there is very little difference, if at all.

The issue with the last point is that most people in F (at least I know I do) prefer the privacy.

[SilverChris]

Is there any word out on the opening of the SKL at ICN?



The end of this year is not far away now.

Has it actually materialized?

[Desert Traveller]

Has it actually materialized?

I'll look for it tonight...and again in January.

[Desert Traveller]

I am in the KE concourse lounge now (thanks to PP, better food and drink selection than the OZ lounge )...no sign of an open SQ lounge in the area. But there is a construction site on the KE lounge side (opposite the CX lounge) that looks a lounge undergoing renovation...since 19 Nov, to be completed by 11 Jan. Looks like I am just going to miss finding out what it is on the way back (9 Jan).

[Kyo]

KE Concourse - is that in main or satellite?

KE opens their lounges to PP?! I did turn on their Lounge Finder app back in end-April when I passed through and I'm sure that didn't come up.

[Desert Traveller]

KE Concourse - is that in main or satellite?

KE opens their lounges to PP?! I did turn on their Lounge Finder app back in end-April when I passed through and I'm sure that didn't come up.

Just sat down in my seat on SQ603. I feel sorry for all the pax on SQ609...they are still waiting around, they need a cockpit windscreen replacing before they can get going.

Concourse is the satellite...both the KE and OZ lounge in the concourse are open to PP. I prefer the KE lounge...

On the new SKL, spoke to the SQ groundstaff...it is scheduled to open on 24 January. Bring it on!

[SilverChris]

So we are getting a new SKL in ICN

Hope it's as impressive as the old one!

[astroboy]

Sia opens silverkris lounge in seoul

Customers of Singapore Airlines travelling from Seoul can look forward to a more luxurious experience on the ground with the official opening of the Airline’s SilverKris Lounge at Incheon International Airport. The lounge features wireless Internet access, a business centre with desktop computers, shower rooms and restrooms, televisions, as well as a selection of warm food and light snacks.

“The SilverKris Lounge is a key element in Singapore Airlines’ premium service
offering, which begins on the ground and continues in the air. The new lounge,
together with our four daily Seoul flights, demonstrates our commitment to the
important South Korean market,” said SIA’s General Manager Korea, Mr Sia Nam Kung.

In August 2012, Singapore Airlines announced an investment of S$20 million in
SilverKris Lounges over five years to enhance the travel experience of its
customers. At the same time, SIA appointed renowned architectural and interior
design firm ONG&ONG to develop a new design concept to be applied to all its
airport lounges worldwide. The new design concept will be rolled out
progressively to SilverKris Lounges from later this year, beginning with the lounge at Sydney Airport.

Including a recently opened lounge at Delhi Airport in India, Singapore Airlines
now has 15 SilverKris Lounges at airports around the world.

The Incheon Airport SilverKris Lounge has a seating capacity of 96. Located at
Level 4 of the Concourse Terminal building, it is open daily from 7am to 9am, as well as between 1pm and 11.50pm (all times local).

[CarbonMan]

From $20M to $100M to upgrade more lounges

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will spend $100million - five times more than the $20 million it originally wanted to spend - to revamp its airport lounges around the world in a bid to maintain its edge in an increasingly competitive field.

The announcement on Tuesday came after SIA unveiled its new-look lounge in Sydney, the first of 15 lounges to be refreshed over the next five years.

Plans are now underway to roll out the new "home away from home" lounge concept in London, Hong Kong and Singapore (Terminal 3) next year, said SIA in a statement. The new look, developed by local firm Ong & Ong, is aimed at making premium passengers feel at home with fittings that replicate the living and dining room, as well as, the kitchen.

The lounge boasts more personal work spaces inside the workstation pod seats and new SIA-only high-back armchairs. Passengers will also be able to get a taste of home with the lounges serving local dishes like laksa and mee siam, with First Class passengers enjoying butler services

The lounge will also features art pieces that showcase Singapore and the country of departure. Mr Tan Pee Teck, SIA's senior vice president for product and services, said: "Each space is thoughtfully designed to create the ambiance of home that is familiar and comforting, adding to the warm, authentic and personalised service that Singapore Airlines is well known for."

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking...ves-times-over

[HUGE AL]

...in a bid to maintain its edge...

What edge?!?

In my "home," the shower and toilet are within the same room...and the towels do not come with a minimum of three holes in them.

[Jumbojet Lover]

Wonder what prompted a five-fold increase in budget from $20M to $100M.

[hjerapa]

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking...ves-times-over

i wonder if HK will FINALLY get a toilet. and i guess they wont care about the other SEA lounges, like BKK and JKT....