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You’ve heard that saying of “having an oil well in your backyard?” Well, some folks actually do. Case in point: Etihad Airways, one of the carriers out of the United Arab Emirates — it is pretty much oil-well-in-your-back-yard central.
So when Etihad opened a new, 7,300-square-foot premium lounge in New York’s JFK International this past December, there was money to spare. And it shows.
Open, airy, and with floor-to-ceiling windows letting in the dawning sunlight, the space is adorned with the carrier’s signature geometric “mosaic” motifs and uses a desert-inspired color palette that reflects the varying hues of the desert nation, from the darker sands of the bone-dry interior to the golden colors along the Persian Gulf coast. Designed by star architect firm Gensler and with creamily-upholstered leather furniture by Boss, guests are treated to a first-class experience that is just like what you expect in a first-class cabin…only bigger.
And if the buffet and in-house kitchen are simply too low-class for your tastes, why not check out “The Residence?” For those who spend it in style, the lounge has what amounts to a private apartment. It is an extension of the private apartment on the Etihad A380 for those whom even first-class just will not do.
Why all the lux? It has been, um, “noticed” that American airports…well…suck. They are old, bland, and a pain in the buttocks to get through. Believe it or not, there is a reason for this: Unlike the glittering, glamorous terminals of Asia that are in and of themselves reasons to visit, the USA takes a more practical approach — get passengers in, get passengers out, next! Don’t want to spend a lot time in LAX? Good! That’s the point.
However, now that security checks mean we all have to be three-plus hours early before our flight, it is now inevitable that we indeed will be spending a lot of time in LAX. Or JFK. Or O’Hare. Take your pick. Hence, airport lounges are upgrading themselves to make the stay that much smoother.
But even without perks like The Residence, the lounge excels in top-notch service and detail. I particularly got a kick out of the meticulously designed bar, which is clearly the showcase. The menu is curiously geographic, with cocktails called the New York, Abu Dhabi, and Los Angeles — all of which are cities that have an Etihad lounge. Each potion is themed: the New York is made with apple brandy; the Los Angeles has a cotton candy garish (hee!). Made with coffee, the Abu Dhabi is non-alcoholic, per Muslim observance.
It’s almost enough to make you forget you have to catch a flight in a few hours. Be sure to book your travel experience eon Etihad with Steele Luxury Travel. Visit us at www.SteeleTravel.com