- Time for lounges worldwide to get ready for the 15th Priority PassTM Lounge of the Year Awards, with winners announced February 2020
- As the Awards enter a landmark year, Priority Pass celebrates 15 years of growth and evolution in the airport experience – including its own network expansion from 450 lounges in 2004 to over 1300 lounges worldwide today
MUMBAI, 29 OCTOBER, 2019, (GPN): Priority PassTM, the original and market-leading airport experiences programme, has launched this year’s Lounge of the Year Awards, which celebrate lounges around the world that go above and beyond to offer customers the highest quality of service, amenities and business facilities. The Awards have reached a milestone, entering their 15th year of recognising the importance of a great lounge experience.
Global air traffic has soared to new heights in the past 15 years, with passenger numbers in 2019 expected to reach almost 4.6 billion – around 130% higher than in 2004[1]. For the financial year 2018-2019 Indian Airports saw 34.4 crore passengers. To keep up with this rapidly growing market, Priority Pass has expanded its network from 450 lounges in 245 cities and 80 countries in 2004, to over 1300 lounges in more than 650 cities across 148 countries today; including more than 40 lounges in India.
Over that time, as passenger numbers have soared and customer expectations have risen, airports have evolved to become experiential destinations in their own right. Singapore’s Changi Airport houses retail, lifestyle and garden attractions complete with the world’s largest indoor waterfall; Munich Airport hosts an annual Christmas market with 40+ booths and an ice-skating rink; and the Vancouver International Airport in Canada has the world’s largest airport aquarium with over 20,000 marine plants and animals[2]. In India, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (T2) is home to a sprawling 3km immersive art-walk, which offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history.
Providing this kind of enhanced airport experience is essential for driving customer satisfaction. In response, lounges available to Priority Pass members have changed not only in number, but also to offer differentiated amenities, a wider variety of spaces, and seamless digital technologies. From luxury sleep pods in Dubai, to a dedicated whisky wall in Scotland, to celebrity chef-endorsed menus in Ecuador – Priority Pass membership is enriching and redefining the airport experience. The Priority Pass mobile app brings even more experiential benefits to members worldwide, with exclusive dining and shopping deals, airport maps and real-time access to special offers.
Lounges have evolved to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of travel, and the Lounge of the Year Awards recognise these efforts. The Awards are based on the ratings and reviews Priority Pass’s millions of members leave throughout the year; taking into consideration guest feedback across several different categories such as business facilities, comfort, service from lounge staff and food and drink options. The Priority Pass network includes major hubs such as London Heathrow, Atlanta, JFK, Dubai International and Hong Kong. Every year, each region (Global, Europe, Africa & Middle East, Asia Pacific, North America, and Latin America and The Caribbean) boasts both a winning and highly-commended lounge, as well as there being one overall, stand-out, global winner.
Past winners of the Awards have received their accolades thanks to their incredible views, private suites, spa treatments and business facilities. Last year’s global winner, Sala VIP Internacional in Quito International Airport, was called out for its amazing terrace with sunset views, dedicated sleeping areas, massage rooms and a wonderful menu from renowned local chef, Andrés Miño. A common factor for all regional winners worldwide last year was the inclusion of video conferencing facilities as well as power outlets available on every seat.
Andy Besant, Director of Travel Experiences at Collinson, operator of Priority Pass, said: “The travel and airport experience has seen significant changes over the past 15 years and the Awards are a great way to recognise the lounge partners going above and beyond to evolve their own offerings and provide an awesome guest experience. Everything we do is about our members and giving them access to the very best lounge experiences worldwide. We’re constantly listening to their needs and working closely with our partners to create environments that not only let them relax before their flight but go above and beyond – making the journey one of the best parts of their trip.”
The Awards categories are:
- Global
- Europe
- Africa & Middle East
- Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America and The Caribbean
Members have until January to provide their feedback and make sure it counts for this year’s Awards. They can rate the lounges they’ve visited on the Priority Pass website or via the new review feature within the Priority Pass mobile app. ENDS
About Priority Pass:
Priority Pass is the original and market-leading airport experiences programme. It provides discerning frequent travellers access to over 1300 airport experiences in over 650 airports across 148 countries, including over 1300 lounges and access to a growing number of airport dining and spa offerings worldwide that can be accessed in the same way as lounges. Using the Priority Pass app for iOS and Android, members can quickly and easily discover locations welcoming Priority Pass, instantly check their visit entitlement and use their Digital Membership Card to access airport lounges and experiences.
Priority Pass is operated by Collinson, a global leader in customer benefits and loyalty.
Collinson delivers exceptional travel, insurance and assistance products that differentiate value propositions, and loyalty solutions that win deeper, more valuable customer relationships. For over 30 years, we’ve been chosen by the world’s leading payment networks, 1400+ banks, 90+ airlines and 20+ hotel groups to craft customer experiences that win competitive edge. This enables them to acquire, engage and retain the most profitable, but most demanding customers.
For more details please visit www.prioritypass.com
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