"House of KLM" - Crown Lounge redesign
Jun 23, 2019, 1:26 pm
#226
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One thing KLM has dreamed of for many years is a concourse of their very own (I believe they had E in mind), but Schiphol has always told them to keep dreaming.
One of KL's former RoyalWing lounges was located in the fork of the D concourse, pretty much an ideal location. Why they relinquished it I do not know.
Emirates very much wants a lounge of its own in the G concourse, a wish that KLM has done its very best to stymie.
Will be intereresting to see what lounge plans they have for the new A concourse. Very far from the current Schengen lounge, and as it will be handling both narrow and widebody aircraft, it will serve both Schengen and non-Schengen destinations.
Johan
Jun 23, 2019, 3:28 pm
#227
Join Date: Apr 2016
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At the end of 2020, we will open an iconic unique lounge at terminal 2F in Paris CDG with two levels which will deserve Schengen and French domestic destinations.
Jun 23, 2019, 4:21 pm
#228
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Thanks for the article.
Quotation is a bit vague. Could be the "unique" in the generic sense (extraordinary, very special) rather than the gallicism (the only one). Wonder what's so special about it given that both F lounges already have 2 levels...
If I remember correctly they were doing extensive construction works between concourse E and F a few months ago, so maybe that's part of what they are building? I for one would miss the current location if they shut down the F lounges. Maybe they are trying to make more space for the gates (let's face it, it's crowded) or maybe they will try maximize profits and fit more shops for paying customers and build a lounge with less capacity further away
Guess we'll find out!
Quotation is a bit vague. Could be the "unique" in the generic sense (extraordinary, very special) rather than the gallicism (the only one). Wonder what's so special about it given that both F lounges already have 2 levels...
If I remember correctly they were doing extensive construction works between concourse E and F a few months ago, so maybe that's part of what they are building? I for one would miss the current location if they shut down the F lounges. Maybe they are trying to make more space for the gates (let's face it, it's crowded) or maybe they will try maximize profits and fit more shops for paying customers and build a lounge with less capacity further away
Guess we'll find out!
Jun 23, 2019, 7:20 pm
#229
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https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31088392-post857.html
Jun 23, 2019, 7:29 pm
#230
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If I remember correctly they were doing extensive construction works between concourse E and F a few months ago, so maybe that's part of what they are building? I for one would miss the current location if they shut down the F lounges. Maybe they are trying to make more space for the gates (let's face it, it's crowded) or maybe they will try maximize profits and fit more shops for paying customers and build a lounge with less capacity further away Guess we'll find out!
Guess we'll find out!The new lounge will have more capacity than the sum of the 2 current ones. This is clearly the objective. It is very frequent at peak times in morning and evening to not have any seat available.
Jun 24, 2019, 12:02 am
#231
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zanzibar
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KLM will get their own gates and super lounges when Schiphol builds piers K L M in 2045. And then we will be flying in their own developed V shaped plane. Air France has collapsed and KLM will have a second super hub in Paris.
Probably not...
Probably not...
Jul 9, 2019, 12:06 pm
#234
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
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Posts: 519
Got to try the lounge for the first time during a long layover. It’s aesthetically pleasing with the multi-level layout and memorabilia cases. Food, drinks, coffee, and service all good. Lots of plug in points. At around 8:30AM, it was mobbed with no tables to be found. Showers were about 2 hours wait. The self-service lockers came in very handy. We locked up our bags, hopped on the train, checked out the city for a few hours, came back to the lounge around 3pm. Not as busy at this time. Showers were available within minutes at the Mercure. Meatballs, hummus, Heineken, all great. The KLM business class experience onboard was mediocre but the lounge is pretty fantastic when it’s not the peak period.
Jul 9, 2019, 1:31 pm
#235
Join Date: Feb 2007
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I was in it last week again, it really is starting to look a bit run down ! When they designed those glass walls with the houses by the escalators they obviously didn't think of cleaning them ! toilets were partly closed for repairs and stained floors. I think next time I'll use the Schengen one before heading to the gate, not that the food is any better !
I'm starting to like going through CDG more
I'm starting to like going through CDG more
Jul 10, 2019, 2:51 am
#236
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Jul 11, 2019, 12:27 pm
#237
Join Date: Sep 2014
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I was at the CDG L lounge on an 8 hour layover last week and I reflected on how much nicer a space it is than the Crown lounge. The L lounge has an optimal size, good lighting, varied furniture arrangements, two food serving points (with a great selection of food; everything fresh), a relaxing day nap area with soothing lighting and to top it all off, the chance to take a spa and sauna! I saw a group of professionals being given a tour of the lounge; they were scribbling on notebooks and taking dozens of pictures, so I imagine they were professionals involved in lounge design. Learning from best practice.
Indeed, KLM could have learned from its sister airline AF's success but instead it has overengineered its flagship lounge to focus on something customers never really wanted (a paid restuarant). The design looked good on the architects' mock up (we were promised the lounge of the future) but in reality the end product is uninspiring and overcrowded. Next time, KLM will have to recruit AF to design its lounges!
Indeed, KLM could have learned from its sister airline AF's success but instead it has overengineered its flagship lounge to focus on something customers never really wanted (a paid restuarant). The design looked good on the architects' mock up (we were promised the lounge of the future) but in reality the end product is uninspiring and overcrowded. Next time, KLM will have to recruit AF to design its lounges!
Jul 11, 2019, 1:23 pm
#238
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I was at the CDG L lounge on an 8 hour layover last week and I reflected on how much nicer a space it is than the Crown lounge. The L lounge has an optimal size, good lighting, varied furniture arrangements, two food serving points (with a great selection of food; everything fresh), a relaxing day nap area with soothing lighting and to top it all off, the chance to take a spa and sauna! I saw a group of professionals being given a tour of the lounge; they were scribbling on notebooks and taking dozens of pictures, so I imagine they were professionals involved in lounge design. Learning from best practice.
Indeed, KLM could have learned from its sister airline AF's success but instead it has overengineered its flagship lounge to focus on something customers never really wanted (a paid restuarant). The design looked good on the architects' mock up (we were promised the lounge of the future) but in reality the end product is uninspiring and overcrowded. Next time, KLM will have to recruit AF to design its lounges!
Indeed, KLM could have learned from its sister airline AF's success but instead it has overengineered its flagship lounge to focus on something customers never really wanted (a paid restuarant). The design looked good on the architects' mock up (we were promised the lounge of the future) but in reality the end product is uninspiring and overcrowded. Next time, KLM will have to recruit AF to design its lounges!
Jul 12, 2019, 7:15 am
#239
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