Airport Lounges: What to expect when you visit and airport lounge post Covid-19.
Airport lounges are slowly starting to open up and as they do, we can expect to see some significant changes in how they operate. We asked a number of our lounge partners to tell us what precautions they are taking to ensure the safety of their guests and what travelers can expect when they visit and airport lounge in a post Covid-19 world.
“At the core of our changes, we have enhanced our high standards of cleanliness even further, with more frequent cleaning throughout the day.” Namrata Tidy, Head of Digital, No 1 lounge
What to expect
The team at Dragonpass, who manage a network of 1300 lounges worldwide, have been proactive in reaching out to their network to understand what lounges are doing to protect their guests. They shared the most common changes and precautions that lounges are taking to ensure the health and wellbeing of travelers. Here is what you can expect when entering airport lounges as we return to travel:
1. Reduced capacity & limited seating
The number of lounge guests that are allowed into a lounge at any given time will be restricted and seating will be limited to comply with social distancing. This could potentially affect how long you are permitted to stay in the lounge too. In general lounge guests are allowed to remain in lounges for 3 – 4 hours. Because of restrictions on capacity lounges may reduce this and only allow guests access 1 – 2 hours before their flight.
2. Staff and guests will be expected to wear face coverings and other PPE
The majority of lounge staff will wear face masks and gloves. Guests entering the lounge will likely be expected to wear face coverings too as an added form of protection. The majority of lounges will require guests to wear face coverings so make sure you pack a mask. Many airports are introducing vending machines where you can purchase PPE such as face coverings if you do not bring them from home.
3. Frequent cleaning
Increased cleaning schedules have been introduced to ensure lounges are sanitary and regularly disinfected. High traffic and multi-touch services such as chairs, coffee machines and bathrooms will receive frequent cleaning throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the lounge and especially at high traffic points so that guests can clean their hands during their stay.
4. Reduced menu & other services
To reduce the number of staff needed in the lounge, the range and variety of services may be reduced. This could potentially mean a reduced menu and a restriction on spa and massage services.
No1 Lounge have announced that all buffet areas have been removed from their lounges and instead table service will be provided. Plaza Premium lounges have also introduced a self-ordering mobile app at select locations where a full a la carte menu.
Digitizing as many processes as possible in order to reduce contact with staff members is a trend that we are seeing across all airport businesses. Make sure you research what apps your preferred airport businesses have introduced and download them at home, before you go to the airport, where you know you have secure and reliable Wi-Fi.
5. Magazines and newspapers will be removed
Lounge guests will be expected to bring their own reading material to the lounge. Complimentary newspapers, magazines and any other type of reading material will be removed from the lounge to minimize cross-contamination.
Plaza Premium lounges have also appointed well being ambassadors whose job it is to encourage everyone to practice social distancing while in the lounge, offer assistance at the self-service food stations and, at selected locations, check your temperature. Staff in lounges all over the world will be trained in hygiene and social distance procedures and will be expected to instruct lounge guests on how to follow these protocols.
Temperature checks will be required for lounge staff and may be available is certain lounges for guests. However it is unlikely that guests will have to undergo a mandatory temperature check before entering a lounge.
Every airport and lounge experience will be slightly different. There is no universal requirement regarding wearing face masks, social distancing or anything else. This level of uncertainty adds another layer of stress to travel. The best thing you can do to alleviate that stress as much as possible is to prepare in advance. If you are going on a trip and wish to visit an airport lounge during your airport downtime, research the lounge before you leave for the airport. Double-check that the lounge is open, read their procedures on capacity and access (do you need to pre-book a place in the lounge?), read their guidelines on PPE and check if you need to download any apps to access the services. Knowing what to expect and being prepared is one of the best ways to reduce stress and make the airport experience a more enjoyable one.
Are lounges the best places to spend your airport downtime?
It is clear that airport lounges are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of their guests but are airport lounges the best place to spend your airport downtime? The key to staying as safe as possible while at the airport is to avoid crowds as much as possible and due to capacity restrictions airport lounges are a great option. Increased hygiene protocols and cleaning schedules mean that airport lounges will be one of the most sanitary places in the airport even if lots of people pass through them.
What should you do to prepare to go to an airport lounge?
Research opening hours and access restrictions before going to the lounge
Book in advance whenever you can to ensure you can get access to the lounge
Bring hand sanitizer and a face mask when visiting a lounge
If you are feeling unwell do not travel
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