A New Haven For Travellers: Star Alliance Unveils its First Lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China
The new Star Alliance branded lounge is located in a dedicated space on the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in the Terminal 1 international area, offering exclusive access to Star Alliance member airline guests. The Star Alliance area provides a comfortable environment for travellers as they relax or work before their flight.
Ideally situated close to the departure gates for Star Alliance member airlines, the lounge features an open layout and offers 750 square meters of space which can accommodate up to 100 guests. Open around the clock, it welcomes travellers with varying flight schedules.
"Lounges are a critical component for the effortless travel experience we aim to provide to our member airline passengers," said Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias. "As a key strategic hub in Asia, Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for our guests. We are excited to inaugurate our first lounge in Asia, given the significance of the continent to aviation growth today and in the years to come."
Ambar Franco, Star Alliance's Vice President for Customer Experience, added, "Our first Star Alliance branded lounge in Asia is an exciting milestone for us. Thoughtfully designed with the modern traveller in mind, it offers an effortless blend of comfort and functionality. Conveniently located close to departure gates, this lounge also provides travellers with the flexibility to relax, work, or refresh before their flight, all while enjoying a wide range of refreshment options and services tailored to their needs."
The lounge features a glass facade offering tarmac views, filling the space with natural light. It also includes practical amenities, such as workstations and comfortable seating areas for both relaxation and productivity. Tucked in a quiet space, the VIP room is a 100 square meters private area ideal for group or private business meetings, available upon request. Guests are also welcome to use the state of the art shower suites to refresh themselves before their onward journey.
The Star Alliance branded lounge offers a sense of connection to Guangzhou and the Pearl Delta River region. In addition to being adorned with art pieces by local artists, the lounge also has an exclusive Tea Appreciation Corner that will be available on special occasions, where guests can experience the region's renowned tea culture. Guests can also enjoy a range of food options, with light bites and regional delights featuring local cuisine served throughout the day. There is also a dedicated bar counter where travellers can enjoy drinks that have been specially curated for the lounge.
Qi Yaoming, Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, said, "The fact that Star Alliance has chosen to open its first branded lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is not only a sign of trust and support for us, but also an acknowledgment of the status of Baiyun Airport as an important international hub. Baiyun Airport will continue to uphold the service concept of 'Customer First' and continuously build itself into an airline-friendly airport to provide even better service guarantees for Star Alliance and its member airlines."
The Star Alliance branded lounge was created by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in cooperation with member airlines. Operated by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Business Travel Service Co., Ltd, the new lounge is set to play a key role in enhancing the airport's support services and improving the travel experience for international passengers.
Given Guangzhou's growing importance as a major travel hub in Asia, Star Alliance will open a new branded lounge in the upcoming Terminal 3 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
At present, 10 Star Alliance member airlines operate from Guangzhou, including Air China, ANA, Asiana Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, THAI, and Turkish Airlines, offering 774 weekly departures to 50 destinations in 10 countries.
ENDS
Issued by Air New Zealand Communications on behalf of Star Alliance.
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About Air New Zealand:
Air New Zealand's story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It's a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 8.7 years. Air New Zealand's global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2023, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline's laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – the 9th year in a row.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline's efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand's loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey.
The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 16,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 186 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com