{"id":68442,"date":"2026-08-22T14:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T14:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/68442\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T14:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T14:16:13","slug":"from-spa-spaces-and-bedrooms-to-chef-specials-an-airport-lounge-that-rivals-a-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/68442\/","title":{"rendered":"From spa spaces and bedrooms to chef specials: an airport lounge that rivals a hotel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Air France brings the essence of France to life through all five senses Korean Air opens its largest next-generation lounge in Los Angeles Delta Air Lines showcases its Digital Immersion Wall <\/p>\n

Where does a journey begin? For some, it starts with planning. For others, it begins with packing or getting to the airport. For air travelers, there is one more place to add to that list: the lounge. It is not open to everyone, but usage has risen sharply in recent years.<\/p>\n

Strangely enough, stepping into an airport lounge can make you feel as if you have already traveled far, even before boarding the plane. These days, some lounges are drawing attention for raising the bar. The moment the door opens, a fragrance greets visitors first, and under soft lighting, a chef prepares dishes on the spot. Waiting no longer feels boring.<\/p>\n

\"Air \uc0ac\uc9c4 \ud655\ub300 Air France lounge at London Heathrow Airport \/ Photo = Air France <\/p>\n

At the center of this shift is the airline industry’s push to maximize customer experience, or CX. The strategy is to expand air travel beyond a simple means of getting from one destination to another, and instead treat it as a full journey from the moment passengers enter the airport until they board the aircraft. That is why airlines are investing heavily in airport lounges, the ultimate expression of premium CX on the ground.<\/p>\n

Today’s airport lounges have moved far beyond the idea of a waiting room for flights. Kevin James Gelf, a history professor at the University of Guelph, described a lounge as \u201ca place where staying becomes a more refined experience.\u201d Passengers are given the same waiting time, but lounges are designed to transform that time into a premium experience, so the excitement of travel begins there.<\/p>\n

Competition among airlines on the ground is evolving into a kind of cultural complex that draws on each carrier’s strengths. National heritage and local identity are reflected in the interior design, gourmet experiences are delivered by top chefs, and multi-sensory branding spanning sight, sound, and smell conveys exclusive brand value.<\/p>\n

\"From \uc0ac\uc9c4 \ud655\ub300 From left, Air France’s Los Angeles International Airport lounge and the long-haul lounge menu at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport \/ Photo = Air France <\/p>\n

\u25c7 Air France has focused on spatial branding that lets visitors experience the elegance of the brand and the sophistication of French culture through all five senses, rather than simply offering a place to wait. The airline has opened new or renovated lounges at major hub airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, Los Angeles, New York, and London Heathrow Airport.<\/p>\n

The interiors are designed to express the brand’s heritage and French sensibility through the senses. The logo and the historic winged seahorse symbol, along with the signature color palette, establish a clear identity from the entrance.<\/p>\n

The lounges in Paris, London, and Los Angeles feature furniture by leading French designers such as Pierre Paulin and Patrick Jouin. Across the Paris lounge, the signature fragrance AF001, created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, is diffused throughout the space, completing a French luxury setting that even engages the sense of smell.<\/p>\n

The dining experience is equally distinctive. Fresh dishes are served throughout the day in a space inspired by Parisian brasseries and cafes. In the Los Angeles lounge, chefs prepare dishes such as wok-fried shrimp or cassoulet with duck confit at an open kitchen. At the long-haul lounge in Terminal 2E of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, gourmet depth is added through special dishes created by Yves Camdeborde, a pioneer of French bistronomy.<\/p>\n

\"Air \uc0ac\uc9c4 \ud655\ub300 Air France Clarins spa area \/ Photo = Air France <\/p>\n

Air France has also set up spa spaces with its 20-year partner Clarins at airports in Paris, London, New York, and Los Angeles. In private treatment rooms, three complimentary services \u2014 \u201cAnti jetlag,\u201d \u201cInstant detox,\u201d and \u201cFocus regard\u201d \u2014 help travelers unwind deeply before departure.<\/p>\n

In July, the La Premi\u00e8re lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport reopened after an expansion to 1,000 square meters. Reserved for first-class passengers, the space now includes fine dining by chef Alain Ducasse, an expanded Sisley Paris spa, and large-scale artworks by world-renowned artists. A La Premi\u00e8re Suite, which can accommodate up to four people and includes a bedroom, bathroom, and private patio, is also available as an additional option.<\/p>\n

\"Korean \uc0ac\uc9c4 \ud655\ub300 Korean Air opens its next-generation flagship lounge at Los Angeles International Airport \/ Photo = Korean Air <\/p>\n

\u25c7 Korean Air has opened its next-generation flagship lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, the largest among its overseas self-operated lounges. The facility consists of two lounges \u2014 a first-class lounge on the sixth floor and a Million Miler Club and Prestige Lounge on the fifth floor \u2014 with a total area of 1,675 square meters, 1.27 times larger than before.<\/p>\n

The interior was completed in a \u201cmodern Korean luxury\u201d style that blends Eastern and Western beauty. It was designed to let in abundant natural light, capturing the brilliance and energy of Los Angeles, the so-called City of Angels. Wood and premium stone, reflecting Korea’s understated elegance, are harmonized throughout the space, while Korean art pieces such as buncheong ware and moon jars are placed in various corners.<\/p>\n

The layout is also carefully divided. The first-class lounge offers two luxurious private rooms for more independent relaxation. It also provides a personal dining service called \u00e0 la carte, allowing guests to order dishes according to their preferences.<\/p>\n

The buffet in the Million Miler Club and Prestige Lounge includes live stations in an open-kitchen format. Guests can also enjoy local craft beer with a Los Angeles flavor and a signature coffee blend made in the area. A business zone, family zone, and shower rooms further highlight the attention to different travel needs.<\/p>\n

\"Delta \uc0ac\uc9c4 \ud655\ub300 Delta Air Lines opens a new Delta Sky Club in Concourse B at Salt Lake City International Airport \/ Photo = Delta Air Lines <\/p>\n

\u25c7 Delta Air Lines has opened a new Delta Sky Club in Concourse B at Salt Lake City International Airport, the second-largest lounge in its network. The lounge spans 3,150 square meters and can accommodate up to 600 people. Its panoramic view of the runways is one of its defining features.<\/p>\n

The design reinterprets the majestic natural beauty of Utah with a modern touch. The geometric ceiling structure on the entrance level and the terrazzo mosaic floor evoke winter sunlight reflected on snow. On the upper level, wood, jewel-toned accents, and copper finishes bring to mind Utah’s mountains, lakes, and caves.<\/p>\n

The artworks on display were specially commissioned from local artists to capture Utah’s diverse textures and colors. Delta Air Lines’ first Digital Immersion Wall offers a calm 4D experience through panoramic footage of Utah landmarks and the sounds of nature.<\/p>\n

Velvet curtains, soundproof walls, and dark tones create a quiet retreat for customers. The lounge is also equipped with a premium circular bar, nine soundproof phone booths, an on-site cooking food buffet, and beverage stations.<\/p>\n

\nThis article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Air France brings the essence of France to life through all five senses Korean Air opens its largest…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68443,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13058],"tags":[739,18241,42165,22515,35039,40213,3141,2641,42166],"class_list":["post-68442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-air-france","tag-air-france","tag-delta-air-lines","tag-exhibition-space","tag-interior","tag-international-airport","tag-korean-air","tag-los-angeles","tag-premium","tag-prestige"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68442"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68442\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/france\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}