The combination of purified design and Parisian chic in the new Air France business lounge at the Paris airport won’t leave you indifferent.
The new business lounge consists of a central cocktail bar “Le Balcon” where you can taste fine champagne named after the company which is designed for the passengers who will be visiting a bar, an open kitchen where passengers can see the chef of the kitchen and order their meal, wellness space which consists of showers, two private saunas, a unique cosmetic area for expressive beauty and skin-rejuvenating during the trip (collaboration with the French house Clarins), a children’s corner with video games and other entertaining content, a detox refreshment bar and relaxation between flights for resting your body and quiet rooms and other contents. This business lounge has 540 seating places and 3200 sq.m.
Mathieu Lehanneur Creates “Le Balcon”
Air France has entrusted French designer Mathieu Lehanneur with the creation of a bar area where time seems to stand still for the company’s customers, in 160 sq. m. of designer space. Located at the heart of the new Air France Business lounge, “Le Balcon” is set against the runways in unique and welcoming architecture, forming a curved structure sheltered under an immense golden mirrored ceiling.
Interior design includes a central bar and a succession of outlying theatrical box seats where passengers can relax and enjoy the comfort prior to their flight. Each box is upholstered in blue velvet and embroidered with their respective numbers and features a large sofa, a pedestal table, and the latest connectivity services. Mixing wood, marble, mirror-work, and light, “Le Balcon” is at the same time chic, immersive and digital.
At the center, the designer has integrated a LED screen into the parquet floor depicting an image of the sky. From sunrise to sunset, this giant window of light imitates the variations of the day in real-time. Whatever your departure time, this sky is like an introduction to your journey, before jetting across time zones.
Gastronomy Goes on Show
The lounge highlights rich and varied gourmet cuisine:
A unique “Gourmet Table” dining area, designed in the spirit of a modern Parisian brasserie, features an open kitchen where a chef prepares tasty hot dishes by adding the final touch in front of the customer;
A self-service offer invites you to discover hot and cold seasonal flavors for all tastes, with simmered casseroles, salads, and pastries;
A selection of wines and champagnes designed by Paolo Basso, the world’s best sommelier in 2013, is also available.
An “Instant Relaxation” Design Area
In a refined setting, everything has been designed to plunge the customer into a cocoon where time seems to stand still – the largest wellness area of all the Air France lounges, with more than 550 sq. m.
The wellness area provides guests with:
An “Instant Relaxation” area to relax comfortably in sun loungers or mini-suites for optimal rest;
A detox bar to unwind, offering the latest new organic detox products from the Palais des Thés as well as Evian flavored waters;
A Clarins spa dedicated to facial treatments with two private cabins where guests can enjoy all the expertise of Clarins beauticians;
Two private saunas to freshen up between flights;
Large luxury showers;
A three-dimensional digital sculpture radiating at the heart of the wellness area is a surprising piece of artwork that changes shape, intensity, and color throughout the day.
A Tailor-Made Experience
The new Air France Business Lounge offers a variety of products and services including several areas for a tailor-made experience. The company has introduced:
“Le Club”, a privatized space, to spend time alone or meet others in a friendly atmosphere;
“Le Petit Salon” to switch off in a place where calm reigns and smartphones are silent;
An “At Your Service” area, for assistance from Air France staff in the lounge, to help book a shower or sauna, change a seat or flight, etc.
A Kids Area
This space has been specially designed for children from 4 to 12 years old. Both cozy and fun, it combines refined decoration and splashes of fantasy, making it a place of rest and entertainment. Young travelers can enjoy the entertainment offer on their own or with others, thanks to two Sony PS4s with exclusive new games. They can also put their creativity, memory, and reflexes to work with the TablePlay by Novotel touch table. With this Kids area, the whole family can enjoy what’s on offer in the Air France lounge.
The French Way of Thinking
The whole area radiates special refinement, and the food is typical French because Air France wants to bring French cuisine, the way of thinking, and life to their passengers. The company is fully aware of accelerated digitization so they will enable faster flow and passenger recognition (new biometric technology solutions) in their new projects.
The fact is that today’s passengers want everything right now and one of the main criteria in choosing a flight company is the quality and availability of business salons.
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