SkyTeam reopens Sydney lounge: transformed and sustainable area
The SkyTeam lounge at Sydney Airport has finally been reopened. The area has been fully renovated, taking advantage of the long [...]
The SkyTeam lounge at Sydney Airport has finally been reopened.. The area was entirely redesigned, taking advantage of the long period of suspension of international travel due to Covid-19. The redesign was totally focused on the concept of sustainability
What are Skyteam lounges
In this article:
The Skyteam Alliance, which includes ITA Airways, Delta, Air France-KLM and many other carriers, has a number of lounges serving partner airline passengers at various airports around the world. In total, in addition to the Australian one, there are seven: from Vancouver to Dubai, from London to Beijing. The locations are designed to serve airports where none of the other carriers have an official lounge and in this way offer all passengers in the alliance the service.
Sydney Airport: new SkyTeam Lounge
This innovative space is located at Gate 24 on Pier B of the International Terminal. Once inside, you will have a view of the runway thanks to full-wall windows that provide an enormous amount of natural light. This is obviously part of the sustainable turnaround. All around are numerous plants and natural wood furnishings.
Wonderful news for all SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business customers. At the airport in Sydney will be able to fully enjoy the rediscovered and renovated lounge. Works across the board, which have changed this space as much in appearance as in its underlying ideology.
A total of 149 seats for anyone who wants to relax while waiting for their flight. To take advantage of this lounge is to radically alter one's airport experience. An airy, cool space filled with plants and natural light with huge floor-to-ceiling windows. All around, soothing shades of blue and natural wood furnishings dominate. The perfect place to unwind your nerves and, at the same time, complete your work commitments in the dedicated business area.
As if all this were not enough, the food and drink area is enormously enticing. The chefs use only local products. One can therefore choose from the options offered at the self buffet area and the live-cooking station. Here chefs prepare delicious dishes to order.
A project that is obviously not limited to Sydney International Airport. In fact, SkyTeam is committed to transforming all of its lounges, directing them toward sustainability. Specific measures are therefore taken to reduce emissions, drinking water waste and waste generation. A commitment that has already been rewarded through the Vancouver lounge, receiving the YVR Green Excellence Award 2021.
Here are the words of SkyTeam's Chief Experience Officer, Christian Oberlé: "A brand new, high-quality experience. We care for the travelers of today and those of tomorrow. This embodies our commitment to greater sustainability both on the ground and in the air."
SkyTeam lounge in Sydney: how it has changed
There are many services offered to customers, who can enjoy a self-service buffet, an all-day kitchen, and an a la carte menu. There is also space for a bar area with a wide selection of red wines, whites, spirits, Australian sparkling wines, soft drinks and coffee. Here's what the redesign includes:
- Any disposable consumer items have been eliminated from the lounge altogether, such as straws;
- Bathrooms renovated in order to save water, from showerheads to cisterns;
- Motion sensors and cutting-edge technology to save energy and reduce emissions;
- Participation in the airport waste recycling program;
- Use of local products in order to reduce road miles traveled;
- Wise management to minimize food waste;
- Glass cups and water dispensers present throughout the area to reduce plastic waste;
- Chair and ottoman covers in Greenguard-certified upholstery, so as to reduce waste to landfills.
In conclusion
A sign of return to normalcy. When I passed through Sydney this summer on my world tour, I was able to visit some of the lounges at this airport: Air New Zealand's beautiful waiting room., the SilverKris lounge in Singapore and the American Express lounge. Next time I will try to spend time in the others, starting with this one.