British Airways is mulling renovating its Club World business class lounge at Terminal 7 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at an estimated $65 million. The existing terminal is 46-years-old and was constructed for the predecessor airline BOAC.
Media reports said that British Airways has of late been increasingly focusing on upgrading its services and amenities in its Club World business class, particularly at New York JFK. The plans for upgrade also provide opportunities for the airline to significantly improve its hub at New York.
The reports further stated that the airline’s premium customers would be looking forward to similar amenities being provided in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at New York JFK’s Terminal 4 run by its rival carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways.
A spokesperson of British Airways said that the airline has made elaborate plans for renovating its boarding, lounge, security and check-in areas, all of which are unable to handle the large number of passengers growing by the day. The security and check-in experience has not been good for the premium customers, and there had been demands to do something about these. In fact, both these areas are particularly small and bringing inconvenience to the passengers.
“By upgrading the Club World business class lounge at Terminal 7 we will ensure that it is expanded in size, amenities and concept in order to bring up to standard. We hope to make it a true selling-point for our premium customers,” the airline’s spokesperson said.
According to the reports, the other lounges in Terminal 7 are also going to see major upgrades. The three lounges to be upgraded include the Concorde Room for British Airways’ first class and ultra-elite cardholders, Galleries First for oneworld Emeralds and partner first class flyers, and Galleries Club for business class and oneworld Sapphires. These lounges, apart from being smaller, also desperately need major repairs. Presently, these lounges can barely be described as “servicable”.
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