Emirates opens first lounge on US West Coast

Emirates, the leading international airline of the UAE, has opened its first airport lounge on the US West Coast, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), representing a $ 4 million investment in the Bay Area.

The SFO lounge has been designed with the same attention to detail as Emirates’ lounges throughout the world, including the airline’s award-winning facility at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, named one of the 2011 “Top Airport Lounges in North America” by Frommers.

The opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mohammed Mattar, divisional senior vice president Airport Services, Jim Baxter, Emirates’ Vice President of US, Central America & Caribbean and Herman Wai, Airport Services Manager SFO.

“Emirates’ customers have come to rely on our superior service both in the air and on the ground,” said Mattar.  “We are proud to bring our award winning lounge product and our trademark hospitality and service to San Francisco with the opening of the Emirates Lounge at SFO.”

“With complimentary chauffeur drive service to and from the airport for First and Business Class travellers, customers in the Bay Area, Silicon Valley and San Francisco can now look forward to a seamless and stress-free experience from the start to the finish of their journey,” he added.

The 9,502 sq ft space features the largest dining area of all SFO’s lounges; it is also the only lounge with a dedicated prayer room.

Signature features include Italian marble floors, gold Rolex clocks and rich timber joinery. It features two-levels, purpose-built elevators, an internal staircase that connects the reception entrance on level three with the lounge below, and direct access to the boarding bridge.

Facilities and amenities also include two 60-inch LED TVs, 56 leather armchairs, shower facilities and a business centre. Lounge guests enjoy an a la carte service of complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes.  Formal and informal seating options in the dining area are accompanied by a full bar service.

The Emirates Lounge at SFO is configured to seat up to 130 First and Business class passengers, and Skywards Gold members traveling from San Francisco to Dubai.  It is open from noon to 4pm daily.

Emirates is the only airline offering non-stop service between SFO and Dubai International Airport.  Daily service on the ultra-modern Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft generates an estimated $54 million in economic benefit to the Bay Area economy per year, a statement said.

“Since commencing SFO service in December 2008, Emirates has realized strong market growth,” said Airport Director John L Martin.

“In 2011, Emirates’ passenger traffic grew by 56 per cent compared to its first full year of operation in 2009.  Emirates’ presence in our community, and its role in connecting the Bay Area - including Silicon Valley - with India, Africa and other points across the Middle East supports business development between the two regions while bringing more jobs to the local aviation community,” he added.

With the opening of the new Lounge in SFO, Emirates now operates 30 dedicated lounges around its six-continent network.