Emirates opens the airline's first West Coast lounge in San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Emirates dished out the big bucks to build its first airport lounge on the West Coast at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The lounge officially opened last week. The airline says it represents a $4 million investment in the Bay Area.
Emirates designed the SFO lounge with the same attention to detail as the airline’s other lounges, including the famed lounge at JFK in New York, named one of the 2011 “Top Airport Lounges in North America” by Frommers. For a video tour of the lounge at JFK, click on the video on the left.
The SFO grand opening last week was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services and Jim Baxter, Emirates’ Vice President of North America.
“Emirates’ customers have come to rely on our superior service both in the air and on the ground,” said Mattar. “We are proud to bring our award winning lounge product and our trademark hospitality and service to San Francisco with the opening of the Emirates Lounge at SFO.”
“With complimentary chauffeur drive service to and from the airport for First and Business Class travellers, customers in the Bay Area, Silicon Valley and San Francisco can now look forward to a seamless and stress-free experience from the start to the finish of their journey,” added Mattar.
The 9,502 square foot space features the largest dining area of all SFO’s lounges; it is also the only lounge with a dedicated prayer room. Signature features include Italian marble floors, gold Rolex clocks and rich timber joinery.
Emirates’ in-house team created the space in collaboration with Perkins Eastman and Turner Construction. It features two-levels, purpose-built elevators, an internal staircase that connects the reception entrance on level three with the lounge below, and direct access to the boarding bridge.
Facilities and amenities also include two 60 inch LED TVs, 56 leather armchairs, shower facilities and a business centr. Lounge guests enjoy an a la carte service of complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes. Formal and informal seating options in the dining area are accompanied by a full bar service.
The Emirates Lounge at SFO is configured to seat up to 130 First and Business class passengers, and Skywards Gold members traveling from San Francisco to Dubai. It is open from noon to 4:00pm daily.
“We will continue to expand our relationship with San Francisco,” said Baxter. “The opening of the Emirates Lounge at SFO just months after the announcement of our multi-year sponsorship of the San Francisco Symphony, represents a further strengthening of our commitment to the Bay Area.”
Emirates is the only airline offering non-stop service between SFO and Dubai International Airport (DXB). The service operates daily.
"Since commencing SFO service in December 2008, Emirates has realized strong market growth," said Airport Director John L. Martin. "In 2011, Emirates' passenger traffic grew by 56% compared to its first full year of operation in 2009. Emirates's presence in our community, and its role in connecting the Bay Area - including Silicon Valley - with India, Africa and other points across the Middle East supports business development between the two regions while bringing more jobs to the local aviation community."
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