January saw the launch of yet another lounge, The Chase Sapphire Lounge in New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) airport. The Chase Sapphire Lounge was also joined last week by a sister lounge in JFK, in partnership with Etihad Airways, both of which are run by The Club, an Airport Dimensions brand. This might sound complicated, but it’s actually a smart breed of lounge collaborations which bring lounge expertise to brands such as Chase who don’t have the know how to deliver a truly excellent ground product.
And that’s what The Chase Sapphire Lounge in LaGuardia has done in spades. It’s perhaps the most impressive design lounge we’ve seen launched in the last few years, and what makes it all the more impressive, is that it’s basically a pay-for lounge in an airport that isn’t an international hub by any means.
On first impression the lounge design seems to be like a Virgin Atlantic and Qantas love child, which natural elements and big sweeping organic forms creating a private members club vibe more than a standard lounge affair. This is why our gut is telling us that Virgin Atlantic should heavily take note, with their current lounge almost two decades old, this is very much the future aesthetic of ‘Clubhouse’ design.
The lounge also features special Clubrooms, called The Reserve Suites, private bookable rooms featuring bespoke millwork, soft velvet furniture and a luxurious amount of space. The Suites concept also features a range of brand partnerships, including wine selections from Parcelle, menus from Jeffrey’s Grocery (especially for The Reserve Suites) and premium travel gifts on departure such as LARQ water bottles or LARQ water bottle or Drowsy Moonlight Shadow Sleep Masks.
The brand partnerships however aren’t just restricted to these private bookable rooms. There are also treatment rooms with products from Face Haus, a women-owned open concept facial bar. Visitors can choose from a variety of complimentary treatment options from an esthetician that can be booked onsite on a first-come first-served basis. Visitors can also take a complimentary Fly By Face Haus Skincare Travel Kit.
As a signature design touch, there’s also a retro-inspired style game room equipped with a jukebox, pinball, shuffleboard and photobooth for complimentary use. While this space is geared towards our inner children, the lounge also includes a kids’ playroom and a nursing room to make it easier for cardmembers traveling with children.
Located in Terminal B, post-security fourth floor, this expansive space features design details that draw inspiration from some of the world’s best designers including Corgan Architecture, and featured furniture from Cappellini, Poliform, Moroso and DePadova for example.
The lounge also showcases artworks curated by the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection, presenting a powerful range of artists. Through a dynamic visual lens, these artists champion the diversity, vibrancy and imagination present in New York City.
Chase Sapphire went one stage further and commissioned local artist, Eugenia Mello, to create custom, locally inspired designed Solgaard luggage tag for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers as a keepsake, as supplies last. The space features custom wallcoverings from the local artists, Aundre Larrow and Michelle Rick, depicting photography of local landmarks and people with photos taken specifically for this lounge.
This lounge space epitomises design language that is both perfectly branded and liberal enough to create a seemingly never-ending palette of finishes, textures, lighting and furniture. It’s truly a masterclass in lounge design, and would be the crown jewel for any airline as a flagship lounge, especially that of Virgin Atlantic…
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