PRIORITY Pass, the world’s leading independent airport lounge programme, has added more than 50 new lounges to its portfolio this year making up the largest selection of facilities ever offered to members.
Within the Middle East, new lounges are now available to members in Jeddah (Al-Fursan Golden Lounges), Riyadh (Al-Fursan Golden Lounges), Abu Dhabi (Dana Lounge) and Muscat (Plaza Premium Lounge). The additions mean that there are now 26 lounges available to Priority Pass members across the region - the largest independent coverage of airport VIP lounges in the Middle East - as well as more than 600 throughout the rest of the world.
Soukalin Ghosh, business development manager Middle East & North Africa at Priority Pass commented: “We are delighted to offer this comprehensive lounge programme to our customers in the Middle East. Whether they travel within the region or internationally, they can rely on their Priority Pass membership to provide access to an oasis of calm where they can relax, catch up on emails and prepare for their journeys.
“We will continue to build our coverage to meet the needs of our customers and to work closely with our lounge partners to make our customers’ journeys a pleasant experience.”
For Middle Eastern passengers travelling elsewhere in the world, there are 11 new lounges in the UK, which include six FlyBe lounges, the Escape Lounge at Manchester and the British Airways Terraces lounge in Jersey. Also joining the programme is the No.1 Stansted lounge, from the same stable as No.1 Gatwick, which is already proving a hit with Priority Pass members. When travelling to the US, members can now enjoy three new United Red Carpet Clubs (in Chicago, Washington and Minneapolis) as well as the Air France Graf Lounge in Boston. Other new lounges include eight locations added in Brazil, seven in China and three in India.
Members of Priority Pass recently rated the Dilmun Lounge, Bahrain (pictured) as their Lounge of the Year 2010 for the Middle East and Africa region. This is the fifth year in succession that this lounge has received an award from Priority Pass – in fact every year since it opened.
The Dilmun lounge offers a superb range of services for travellers, including outstanding business facilities for those who want to work, with free Wi-Fi internet access. For those making stopovers in Bahrain, showers are available which, together with the outstanding furnishings and ambience, allow travellers to rest and recuperate before their next flight. Complimentary snacks and beverages are also on offer.
Awards were also made to the highest-rated lounges in other regions of the world.