January saw the first part of Air France’s latest Business Class lounge open and having already welcomed more than 200,000 customers, the airline today presented its complete Business Class lounge located in Hall L of Terminal 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
While the lounge now covers a total of 3,200 sq. m. and a massive capacity of 540 seats, this completely redesigned lounge offers several new features for optimum comfort, but the crowning glory has to be “Le Balcon”, an exclusive space created by the designer Mathieu Lehanneur.
The French-born designer has created a striking, expansive and timeless bar. Located at the heart of the new Air France Business lounge, “Le Balcon” is framed perfectly by the runways. With a careful use of interior design, a curved space has been designed, all sitting under an immense golden mirrored ceiling.
While the space is chic and timeless, thanks to a succession of outlying theatrical box seats upholstered in blue velvet and wood, marble, mirrorwork finishes, “Le Balcon” is also immersive and features a playful digital element.
At the centre, the designer has integrated a LED screen into the parquet floor depicting an image of the sky. From daybreak to dusk, this giant window of light imitates the variations of the day in real time.
The bar also features Cocktail Hour, with a customised cocktail menu created by the Hotel Lancaster in Paris including Champagne cocktail “Un air de Paris”, and a monthly special cocktail based on one of Air France’s international destinations. A selection of wines and champagnes designed by Paolo Basso, world’s best sommelier in 2013, is also available.
It’s not just all about drink though. Food steps up its game too, with a rich and varied gourmet menu including a new “Gourmet Table” dining area, designed in the spirit of a modern Parisian brasserie, which features an open kitchen where a chef prepares tasty hot dishes by adding the final touch in front of the customer.
For those looking for simpler fare, a self-service offering of hot and cold seasonal flavours for all tastes, with simmered casseroles, salads and pastries is also available.
The lounge also features an expansive wellness area, the largest in all of Air France’s lounges globally, featuring an “Instant Relaxation” area to relax comfortably in sun loungers or mini-suites for optimal rest; a detox bar to unwind, offering the latest new organic detox products from the Palais des Thés as well as Evian flavoured waters; a Clarins spa dedicated to facial treatments with two private cabins where guests can enjoy all the expertise of Clarins beauticians.
There are also two private saunas (no, seriously!) to freshen up between flights; large luxury showers; and a three-dimensional digital sculpture radiating at the heart of the wellness area. A surprising piece of artwork that changes shape, intensity and colour throughout the day.
The new Air France Business Lounge has also taken a ‘concierge’ style approach to their offering, with a variety of tailor-made products and services and experiences.
The company has introduced “Le Club”, a privatized space, to spend time alone or meet others in a friendly atmosphere and “Le Petit Salon” a silent space to switch off in a place where calm reigns and phones have to be kept on silent.
There is also an “At Your Service” area, for assistance from Air France staff in the lounge, to help book a shower or sauna, change a seat or flight, etc. There are also cabinets featuring the range of products on sale from airfranceshopping.com; two large co-working tables with individual sockets to work quietly, a kids zone and finally two press kiosks.
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