British Airways has put out the welcome mat at its new lounge at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, with BA and Oneworld travellers sure to be impressed by the chic design of the fresh space.
This looks nothing like any other British Airways lounge, and that's quite deliberate: the Rome lounge follows a new concept which combines British and European design for what the airline describes as "a luxurious and contemporary look and feel."
It's all rather pared-back and Euro-minimalist, with clean uncluttered lines.
The lounge's 460m² footprint provides room for almost 140 travellers booked in first class, business class or holding the relevant frequent flyer status – such as BA Executive Club Silver or Gold, Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold or Platinum, or any other tier equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald.
High windows bring the outside in, with plenty of natural light and views across the runway, although 'smart electronic blinds' will roll down as the glare and heat rises, ensuring that travellers can always enjoy a comfortable environment.
The lounge's centrepiece is a granite topped feature bar with bespoke lighting and comfortable low seating, which looks straight out of an Italian cafe or bistro.
Cocktails are served during peak hours, with self-pour available the rest of the time.
There are also quiet zones and working zones...
... with AC/USB sockets littered throughout the lounge along with wireless printing for that last-minute piece of hardcopy.
Also read: BA brings new business class meals and bedding to Singapore, Sydney
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Very slick! It works nicely with BA's new First Class cabin design. That said it does look a touch like Lufthansa's aesthetic, albeit more 'agile'/'elegant'/'slender' rather than Lufthansa's more 'solid' geometry.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
I had similar thoughts when I first saw the pics (although to me it’s more Swiss than Lufthansa).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
21 Aug 2013
Total posts 138
I also definitely first thought it was totally LX-styled.
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 156
True. Very similar to the LH Senator lounge at FRA B gates.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 45
Very swish. I like it a lot and is FAR FAR better than the lounge it replaces.
12 Feb 2015
Total posts 89
Reviews I've read suggested that the OneWorld lounge situation at FCO was grim. Let's hope that the catering in this lounge will be better than the BA offering at some other European ports.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jul 2014
Total posts 115
What BA offerring...........? All the others are just Swissport or Priority Plus lounges. BA's Lounge at LGW is quite nice, LHR is looking a bit dated, but they are always better then any other port (except HEL with Finnairs' Lounges). Might have to Visit FCO next Time the Wallabies play the Azzuri!
31 May 2017
Total posts 3
It certainly is. The last time I flew out of Rome most people were crammed into the Casa Alitalia or one of the commercial lounge operators. The Alitalia lounge is perfectly fine, but unremarkable, but it just can't handle the number of passengers. It's been like that since the fire closed the EK and BA lounges.
01 Jun 2016
Total posts 58
Good option for when QF finally get one of their Dreamliners over to FCO
British Airways - Executive Club
02 Dec 2014
Total posts 14
Wow! What a change to the lounge I was in last August. I just hope they've upped the catering from stale bread, cold ham and oily pasta!
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 87
I actually thought some of the shots looked reminiscent of CX’s latest lounge motif.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
Total posts 132
BA slowly but surely making a comeback ;)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2015
Total posts 124
Nice lounge to use just before you pop in your euro business AKA Economy seat!
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