Emirates Airline has opened its first airport lounge on the West Coast, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The lounge, which represents a $4 million investment in the Bay Area, joins the Dubai-based airline’s global network of airport facilities, including its award-winning lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, named one of the 2011 “Top Airport Lounges in North America” by Frommers.
“Emirates’ customers have come to rely on our superior service both in the air and on the ground. 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,” said Mohammed Mattar, Emirates divisional senior vice president airport services.
“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,” he added.
The 9502 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. 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 centre. 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 Jim Baxter, Emirates’ vice president of USA, Central America and Caribbean. “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). Daily service on a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft generates an estimated $54 million in economic benefit to the Bay Area economy per year.
