The airport experience for international and domestic air travel has become everything but a pleasant experience. Long security lines and record-breaking numbers of travelers have created chaos at airports around the world. Thankfully, airlines are starting to take note and have invested hundreds of millions of dollars globally into the airport experience. Restaurants, bars and boutiques are popping up all over the world and airports are now becoming destinations. No longer is a layover a negative experience and arriving to the airport early is becoming an attractive idea rather than a daunting formality of international air travel.
This trend began abroad years ago, with foreign carriers focusing on the pre-boarding customer experience. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa have all poured money into revamping and modernizing their First Class lounges. And while British Airways has invested 400 million pounds into updating their U.K. terminals, the airline recently announced a multi-million pound redesign of New York’s JFK Terminal 7. Updates will include an expedited check-in process with private areas for Club World and First customers, completely revamped lounges with pre–fight dining and updated gate seating.
British Airways is not the only airline investing stateside; the trend has now extended to U.S.-based carriers as well. Last year, United Airlines launched “United Polaris”, an initiative to transform the business class experience. In December of 2016, they unveiled the Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare – the first of its kind offered by a U.S. carrier. This elevated experience offers pre-boarding amenities such as private daybeds, spa showers and premium dining that help the often-weary business traveler board feeling refreshed.
American Airlines is the most recent U.S. carrier to follow suit, launching their Flagship First Dining experience at New York’s JFK airport on May 25. After checking in at an exclusive private area at Terminal 8, First Class customers traveling on qualifying international and transcontinental flights, are invited to a delicious, pre-departure sit down meal in a private area within the newly renovated Flagship Lounge. What’s even more unique is that the food and beverage items are sourced locally, providing a meal that is both sustainable and fresh.
As a world traveler who has been in the industry for 10 years (and known to be a stickler for amenities), I can be hard to impress. However, I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of American’s Flagship First Dining in New York City. At 5pm, I was picked up from my office and whisked to a pop up location in SoHo where I was greeted with a glass of champagne and immediately immersed in my journey. It was everything American, New York and luxury rolled into one.
If this is a sign of what’s to come for American travelers, I for one, plan to get to the airport early.