Air France Simply Unveiled a Stylish New Lounge at LAX — With Free Facials, Basic French Meals, and Runway Views

A contact of French magnificence has landed at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport — and it’s right here simply in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Air France revealed its new 11,840-square-foot lounge, the airline’s first at LAX and sixth total within the U.S. 

It’s a part of the airline’s wider, world funding in lounges. In keeping with Air France executives, Los Angeles is among the most vital markets for the service. “The rationale for opening a lounge at LAX was quite simple,” stated Zoran Jelkic, the senior vice chairman for Air France-KLM long-haul operations. “Along with KLM, Air France has seven flights per day trip of LAX.”

Air France’s devoted pre-departure house is positioned on the sixth ground of Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal’s (TBIT) West Concourse. For context, LAX is within the midst of a multi-billion greenback transformation, and this particular concourse can also be on the newer aspect, having solely opened a few yr in the past. It’s a much-needed dose of modernity for an ageing airport. 

Nevertheless, one draw back of the West Concourse is accessibility. To achieve it, passengers should use an underground passageway — including not less than 10 to fifteen minutes of further strolling time from the primary a part of TBIT. Air France is the primary lounge tenant within the concourse and whereas it’s a trek, fortunately, it’s positioned close to the airline’s gates (and three way partnership associate KLM).

As soon as contained in the lounge, nonetheless, you could overlook about all of the strolling you simply did. The attractive 172-seat enclave options expansive tarmac views — a rarity for a lounge in TBIT — together with signature shades of blue, luminous whites, and touches of pink for a smooth and stylish aesthetic. 

On the coronary heart of the lounge is a brasserie-style eating space providing a broad number of tasty French classics from Monkfish Provencale and Beef Bourguignon to Salade Nicoise and contemporary breads and cheeses. An open kitchen idea additionally permits friends to order objects on demand, akin to pan-fried prawns or cassoulet with duck confit. 

There’s additionally a devoted full-service bar right here, not like a few of Air France’s different U.S. lounges. Passengers can order a wide range of wines, champagnes, cocktails, and mocktails from comfy bar seats or extra non-public areas with cubicles and armchairs.

This September, Air France will add a Clarins spa and wellness space. As soon as open, passengers have a selection of three complimentary mini-facial therapies: “anti-jetlag,” “prompt detox,” and “illuminating eye care.” It’s definitely a welcome pre-flight relaxation and leisure ritual; Air France and Clarins have a 20-year-long partnership with spa providers at each its New York-JFK and Paris-Charles de Gaulle lounge places. 

Passengers flying in La Première (firstclass) can reserve an appointment prematurely whereas enterprise class passengers can test availability upon arrival. Those that can’t snag an appointment have one other means of freshening up, with showers within the lounge.

Talking of La Première, these on this ultra-exclusive cabin have a devoted non-public space simply to themselves with a la carte model eating and seating for as much as 12. 

The Air France lounge’s hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and is open to La Première, enterprise, and Flying Blue Elite Plus prospects, together with eligible KLM and SkyTeam associate passengers. Whereas Delta prospects flying in long-haul enterprise (Delta One) also can use the lounge, the West Concourse location makes it much less handy for those who’re not flying on Air France or KLM already. 

Air France has 26 weekly flights between Paris and Los Angeles, together with 21 operated with Boeing 777-300ER plane outfitted with La Premiere suites. As well as, the airline has as much as 5 flights per week between Los Angeles and Papeete (PPT) in French Polynesia.