Remember when airport lounges felt stylish and exclusive? In most airports these days that feeling is long gone as the traveling crowds can make your average American Airlines or other airport lounge feel more like the waiting room at the DMV than anything like a place of calm and seclusion. But one airline, Italy's ITA Airways, is bringing glamour and panache back to the airport lounge — fly from Rome to LAX or San Francisco and you can have the opportunity to experience this for yourself.
The airline has two lounges at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, the Piazza di Spagna lounge and the slightly newer Hangar Lounge. Entry to each is complimentary for business class travelers, Executive and Premium Volare members and Skyteam Elite Plus members. The Piazza di Spagna lounge features plenty of stylish seating, a variety of refreshments and — this is Italy, after all — a homemade pizza bar.
The Hangar Lounge makes for a splashy addition to Terminal One's boarding area. At the large illuminated oval-shaped bar weary travelers can perk up with a specialty coffee from 1895 Coffee Designers by Lavazza, or wind down with a signature cocktail created by the famous Campari Group. Or do a bit of both by indulging in an espresso martini — shaken, not stirred.
There is also a James Bond-esque VIP room replete with furnishings by Lema, the Italian interior design company. The sleek blue and white decor makes for a tranquil escape from the airport buzz beyond.
The United States is the first international market for ITA Airways and the most strategic one after Italy. There are 43 weekly roundtrip flights from North America to Italy operated by ITA Airways in the peak of the current winter season, which are not only means for leisure and business travel but also “bridges” connecting the broader Italian community in the United States.
The Italian flagship carrier offers nonstop flights to six destinations in North America, namely New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, Washington and San Francisco. Visit ita-airways.com.
Source: Pam Price
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