Air France has unveiled its brand new iconic lounge located in terminal 2F at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The lounge is dedicated to Business Class passengers and Flying Blue Elite Plus members travelling on Air France’s short- and medium-haul Schengen network. The lounge is the one of the airline’s largest, with a surface area of 3,000 square meter and 570 seats spread over two levels.
In collaboration with teams from Air France and the Group ADP, the entire space and most of the furniture were designed by the Jouin Manku agency, founded by Canadian architect Sanjit Manku and French designer Patrick Jouin. The idea of levitation and grace guided the creative duo, to offer Air France’s passengers ‘a real moment suspended in time and enjoy total relaxation before they board’.
The lounge, a haven of peace and serenity at the heart of the airport, with its curved features and relaxing vibe, is open, airy and uncomplicated at first glance.
The materials used in the lounge include terrazzo, lava stone, wood, leather and some other fabrics. The Air France signature colours – shades of blue, a strong presence of white and a hint of red – are highlighted, as well as the accent, the Air France brand symbol, and the winged seahorse, the company’s historical symbol, reminding us of its rich history.
The Ground Floor
The airline’s passengers are welcomed by Air France teams at the entrance to the lounge after crossing a walkway designed as a transitional entrance hall. To ensure fluidity, kiosks allow passengers to scan their boarding pass and access the lounge directly. A left luggage area and a display cabinet offering Air France Shopping travel accessories are also available.
Passengers will then discover a giant sculpture linking the reception area and the lounge. This work of art, inspired by the wings of an aircraft, symbolises flight, technology and the avant-garde. It reinforces the ‘cocoon’ spirit that dominates the lounge.
A huge curved window with a view of the sky and the airport runways, it dominates the entire space and lets in a northern light that illuminates the lounge, without dazzling the eye. At daybreak and at nightfall, the runway view subtly sparkles, offering warmth and comfort.
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Wi-Fi is available free of charge and there are sockets for recharging mobile devices. A dedicated area for Flying Blue Ultimate customers, directly accessible from the reception area, has its own private lounges.
Gourmet kiosks are located on each level. Tinted with a coppery champagne colour, they promote the refinement and conviviality of French cuisine. The catering offer changes throughout the day. For passengers wanting a quick bite to eat, mini sandwiches, salads and hot quiches are available at all times. There is also a dedicated counter with pancakes in the morning, dishes of the day made by a chef at lunchtime, as well as an aperitif service.
Cheeses and desserts complete this offer designed in the spirit of a French bistro. The wine list, chosen by Paolo Basso, world’s best sommelier in 2013, offers a wide selection of wines and champagnes. Finally, a vast ‘detox”l’ area has a relaxing atmosphere and offers a wide range of herbal teas.
For an eco-responsible approach, the airline states that it favours regional and seasonal products. In addition, to limit the use of single-use plastics, the Paris-based carrier provides its passengers with water fountains throughout the lounge. It also pays particular attention to the selective sorting and recycling of all catering services.
At the heart of the lounge, a giant staircase leads to the upper floor.
The Upper floor
The Upper floor features relaxation areas for those passengers who have more time to spare. There is a dedicated area with large, comfortable loungers and subdued lighting to relax in a cozy atmosphere. Comfortable recliner seats also allow guests to enjoy the unique view of the runways in complete tranquillity.
A Clarins treatment area offers guests the opportunity to discover the new Traveller Spaconcept. Express beauty or radiance treatments, 20-minute tailor-made facials are available. Finally, a wellness area with ten showers and a changing room is also available.
Meanwhile, Air France recently unveiled a fully redesigned lounge at Montréal Trudeau Airport. The airline has boosted flights to the French Overseas Territories, Caribbean and the Indian Ocean and has also launched flights to Helsinki, Finland.
Featured image by Air France
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