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With more and more airlines closing down their exclusive lounges due to budget cuts, a new company called Airspace Lounge is offering daily airport lounge access for all—regardless of class, airline or membership.
For starters, the entry price of $17.50 guarantees each person a free sandwich (during the afternoon and evening hours) or a free bagel with condiments for morning travelers, as well as free coffee, tea and beverages. Drinks from the bar cost extra.
The lounges will also offer free wireless internet access and a number of PC and MAC computers on-site. There will be electric outlets at every seat including the bar. Color printing will be available for an extra fee and there is even a business workspace available.
The company says the price—which starts at $17.50—could be raised throughout the day as more people arrive. The highest daily pass will be sold at $45 in an effort to prevent overcrowding.
Patrons with same-day flights will be allowed back in after showing the receipt and credit card used. One caveat: The website claims, "Each daily entry entitles our customer to a total of one free sandwich or breakfast item, though additional sandwiches may be purchased."
Children of all ages are welcomed, however those over age two will be charged the going rate just like everyone else.
The first of up to forty new lounges will open in May at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI). Residing in Concourse D—home to AirTran, Cape Air, Continental, United and US Airways—the Airspace Lounge will be open to a wide variety of passengers who would normally not have access to such amenities.
Hours of operation are based on the day's flight schedule, with the lounges opening at least 45 minutes prior to the first departure. BWI's lounge will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Airspace Lounge accepts all major credit cards—no cash—and as of right now you can only purchase tickets from the lounges themselves.
Do you think this is a good deal, paying $17.50 for a few perks? Or would you rather save your money for all those annoying baggage fees? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
— Kaeli Conforti
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I would use something like this on a long layover or a day with flight delays or other issues. Probably wouldn't do it on a regular basis but anywhere that is less noisy and slightly more comfortable would be worth it for me on those days.
Posted By Peggy on March 16, 2011, 6:55 PM
Nice article, Kaeli!!I would use it if I got stuck overnight in an airport (Believe me, it's happened) and I'd use it if I wasn't going on a long trip and was able to carry my suitcase on the plane with me. However, if I was going somewhere for a week or more, I'd just save up to pay those baggage fees.
Posted By Lauren on March 17, 2011, 10:13 AM
They should keep this open 24hrs for passengers who get stuck at the airport due to weather or an overnight layover.
Posted By Suhasini on March 17, 2011, 11:26 AM
What exactly is free about the sandwich or coffee or wireless? It's 17.50.
Posted By A. on March 17, 2011, 1:10 PM
I'd definitely use this service. It's less expensive than the Admiral's Club. There's usually an 8 to 12 hour wait between my domestic flights and international so it's potentially more comfortable than the general boarding area. I'd hope there would be a separate lounge area for parents with children so they wouldn't be bothersome to adults.
Posted By Barb on March 17, 2011, 1:35 PM
I would use it in a heartbeat!
Posted By JohnHWC on March 17, 2011, 2:44 PM
Sounds like one of the many restaurants that already populate most airports. Except at a restaurant, you get more food choices for $17+. If I had to wait 8 - 12 hours for a flight, I'd just get a hotel and enjoy the gym, pool, private room etc.
Posted By airckarc on March 23, 2011, 4:46 PM
I'd love to see them sprout all over. I hate laptops abnd Blackberries so having the chance to relax a bit while checking E-mails specially those with large attachments and coffee with sandwhich for $ 17.50 is very reasonable, not the $ 50 that the Pirate's Club (sorry, Admirals's) charge for just walking in; coffee and a sandwhich is another $ 20!!!.
Posted By Jose Aparicio on March 28, 2011, 11:42 AM
I can understand this business model, however I would not be using such a service for a number of reasons:
1. Time-of-day pricing. Any time someone is able to look at any factor, whether that is time, frequency - or just my face - and raise my price, I'm out.
Keep a flat rate, so I know what my cost will be whenever I get there, and I'm in (or out, if the cost is too high or benefits too slim).
2. I am always early for check-in, so I'd like to see a lounge open 2 hours earlier than that before the first flight. If I'm going to be up and on the road to be at the airport in time to settle down for the start of my business day, I'm not going to rush into a lounge to get my $17.50 worth in less than 30 minutes.
3. How far away would the gates be from this idyllic Paradise? Maybe a complimentary golf-cart ride 20 minutes before departure would be an outstanding feature so we don't arrive for our flight hassled, hurried, frazzled and weary.
4. One free sandwich or bagel? That's fine - but you had better make sure they are fresh! Unlimited coffee, tea and milk is de rigeur, and we can pay a REASONABLE price for our soda and other beverages. Why not also provide hot water, bowls and spoons as well, and we can bring our own cereal/oatmeal packages!!
If you want people to use the service, make it worthwhile. Playing money games will turn most business people away - there are not so many around today who are so rich they never ask the price.
Posted By Jim on March 29, 2011, 9:42 AM
I do a number of flights per year both personally and for work. As a contractor i usually end up flying whatever airline the company agrees to pay for and when flying for personal reasons i usually take the cheapest flight at the time. What all this leads to is the fact that i very rarely accrue enough miles on any one airline in a given year to achieve the required miles for the needed elite status to use the airlines free lounges. All that said I would absolutely pay 17.50 for the use of a lounge. Most of my international travel requires anywhere from 18 to 29 hours in planes and airports so somewhere to get out of the hustle and bustle of an airport concourse(try sleeping in heathrow or taipei) as well as being able to recharge electrical devices is certainly worth it. I would like to see the addition of shower rooms and rental lockers so that if i choose to venture out into the airport during a layover i could lock up my carry on. All in all this is an excellent idea for frequent travelers who dont have the luxury of picking their own airlines or being able to pay for business or first class out of pocket.
Posted By Patrick on March 30, 2011, 11:56 AM
fundamental.
Posted By e-cig on February 1, 2012, 12:49 PM