Airport Hospitality World: Muscat Primeclass Lounge recognised at 2025 Priority Pass Excellence Awards

We bring you the latest lounge and hospitality services openings from around the world in our newly launched Airport Hospitality World title.

Jun 18, 2025 - 10:20

Airport Hospitality World: Muscat Primeclass Lounge recognised at 2025 Priority Pass Excellence Awards

AIRPORT HOSPITALITY WORLD ROUND-UP

{Note: The Moodie Davitt Report is launching an Airport Hospitality World enewsletter as part of our popular Curated series. For your free subscription please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com headed ‘Airport Hospitality World Subscription’. Please send your press releases to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com while for advertising enquiries please contact Sonia Menezes at Sonia@MoodieDavittReport.com}

18 June

USA. Airport Dimensions, a global specialist in developing and operating airport experiences, has unveiled its signature The Club lounge at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.

The opening marks the company’s first and only shared-use lounge at the airport, designed to elevate the passenger experience in West Michigan.

**Guests are greeted with personalised service at reception, setting the stage for a comfortable stay**

The 318sq m space is strategically located in the expanded Concourse A, between gates A3 and A5, and includes seating for 62 guests.

Evoking a sense of place, the design is inspired by Grand Rapids’ legacy as a hub of modern industry and innovation, aligning with the sleek architectural aesthetic of the expanded terminal.

Airport Dimensions President Americas Nancy Knipp said, “The opening of The Club GRR is a pivotal moment for us and for travellers in Grand Rapids. Being the sole lounge provider at Gerald R. Ford International Airport allows us to offer a truly elevated and accessible premium experience to every passenger.”

Beyond design, the lounge represents the company’s broader social mission through partnerships with local groups such as The Community Food Club, which supports food security by offering members dignified access to nutritious, affordable food.

17 June

OMAN. Muscat Primeclass Lounge (pictured below), operated by TAV Operation Services – TAV Airports’ subsidiary specialised in airport hospitality – has been awarded ‘Lounge of The Year – Middle East and Africa’ winner at the 2025 Priority Pass Excellence Awards, based on consistently high passenger satisfaction throughout the year.

The Advantage VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 at Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves International Airport, Brazil was the global winner.

See the full roll of honour here.

USA. The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club has opened its doors at Philadelphia International Airport. Designed and developed by US design firm Corgan, the facility is operated by travel experience player Airport Dimensions.

Located in the connector between terminals D and E, the high-class 1,868sq m lounge’s design is inspired by Philadelphia’s rich culture and history, reimagining a traditional tavern with modern touches and amenities.

Read our story, which features insights from Corgan, and see an extensive image gallery via this link.

16 June

QATAR/FRANCE. Qatar Airways has announced a new gastronomic collaboration with acclaimed French chef Yannick Alléno, owner of 17 Michelin stars across 19 restaurants in seven countries.

**Chef Yannick Alléno (left) and Qatar Airways Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh celebrate the partnership**

The relationship builds on the acclaimed, FAB Awarded-Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno at Hamad International Airport, a collaboration between the renowned Chef Alléno brand and Qatar Airways-owned Qatar Duty Free, which opened in 2023.

Click here for the full story.

10 June

Brussels Airport has revealed a self-operated, pay-per-use airside lounge named The View. The high-class space has been created by renowned London design studio JPA Design.

The multi-zoned premium lounge’s name is a reference to the lounge’s dual-aspect windows overlooking the travel hub’s apron and runways.

Click here for the full story.

**At the heart of the lounge is a central bar, anchored by a stained glass skylight that serves as the focal point of the space**

8 June

20 airport lounges that feel like luxury hotels – Travel Pug

INTERNATIONAL. “Airport lounges used to be basic waiting areas with stale coffee and uncomfortable chairs,” writes Carina Sandoval on Travel Pug.

“Today’s premium lounges have transformed into spaces that rival five-star hotels, complete with spa services, gourmet dining, and accommodations that make you forget you’re even in an airport.

“The best lounges around the world now offer experiences that make flight delays welcome.”

Click here to read her 20-strong choice.

The Al Mourjan Business Lounge South at Hamad International Airport is one of the chosen 20. “Immerse yourself in the enchanting ambience of Arabian heritage with resort-like surroundings. We invite you to treat your senses to our à la carte and buffet dining options, as our unparalleled hospitality ensures a memorable visit,” says Hamad International Airport in its welcoming message to guests {Image: Qatar Airways}

{The Al Mourjan Business Lounge South at Hamad International Airport features prominently in Airport Wonders of the World, a Moodie Davitt STUDIO film series launched last year dedicated to the world’s great airports. The acclaimed 080 Lounges at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru will form an integral component of the second edition, to be shot at the Karnataka gateway this July.}

5 June

The affluent leisure traveller revealed by Airport Dimensions

INTERNATIONAL. A recent study by Airport Dimensions, a global specialist in developing and operating airport experiences, has defined an emerging travel demographic known as the affluent leisure traveller (ALT).

Redefining airport revenue, the affluent leisure travellers – who comprise 42% of 10,300 surveyed frequent travellers – account for 81% of reported airport spend, driven by a preference for comfort, choice and premium experiences.

With higher spend and expectations, engaging this high-value segment offers strong potential for the airport’s future commercial growth.

The findings were drawn from the Airport Experience (AX25) research, a comprehensive study exploring airport innovation and traveller trends based on insights from over 10,000 frequent travellers across 16 countries.

The study also sheds light on who the ALT is and how to win their loyalty and spending.

Click here for the full story.

‘Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited’ as CAVU goes for growth

INTERNATIONAL. Passenger services specialist CAVU has opened or refitted nine new Escape Lounges across three continents in the first half of 2025 alone, according to CEO Martin Jones.

“From the vibrant energy of Kansas City to the calm of Brisbane, each one is a reflection of its location and of the people who bring it to life,” he says, writing on LinkedIn.

CAVU was founded by MAG (Manchester Airports Group). The CAVU acronym stems from the aviation, meteorology term ‘Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited’ – designating the perfect flying conditions, where the ceiling is more than 10,000 feet and the visibility is more than ten miles.

**Click on the image to read Martin Jones’ LinkedIn post**

4 June

New dimensions for Airport Dimensions

PERU. Airport Dimensions has reinforced its South American presence with the opening of two locations at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru.

**Elevating the passenger experience at Lima Airport, the Sleepover concept combines comfort and convenience to help passengers recharge between flights**

The debut of The Club LIM and Sleepover concepts represents the company’s largest market entry to date, featuring its first Club location outside the USA and the roll-out of a newly rebranded sleep concept across Latin America.

**The Club LIM elevates the airport hospitality experience at Jorge Chávez International with its thoughtful design and locally inspired service**

The launch also features the company’s first sleep facility outside the Middle East, Peru’s only premium airport sleep option, and one of the largest lounges in The Club’s global portfolio.

**The lounge features ample seating areas designed for both work and relaxation**

The dual-concept strategy was developed to offer a distinctive passenger experience, while enhancing commercial returns, leveraging Jorge Chávez International Airport’s status as Peru’s only international airport and main gateway for 23 million annual travellers {click here for the full story}.

3 June

Reconnecting at The Bridge

HONG KONG, CHINA. Cathay Pacific Airways is celebrating the successful recent reopening of The Bridge, its renowed Terminal 1 lounge near Gate 35.

The Bridge opened in 2013 but closed during the pandemic as passenger flow evaporated into a trickle.

**The Bridge: A beloved passenger favourite reincarnated {All photos: Cathay Pacific}**

This article, courtesy of Cathay Pacific, outlines The Bridge’s beautifully reimagined design, ambience and improved services through the joint lens of Cathay Head of End to End Customer Experience and Strategy Marcus Lui and Customer Experience Manager – Lounge Portfolio & Strategy Vivien Sun.

“Aesthetically, the intent is to bring The Bridge in line with the contemporary Cathay Pacific lounge design language,” Lui observes.

“At the same time, this lounge also has many innovative features that we’re going to apply to Hong Kong International Airport lounges as well as our global lounges in the future.”

Click here to read the full feature.

Dining was one of the biggest considerations when it came to the redesign. This, along with a need to optimise underutilised space, resulted in The Nook, featuring an expansion of The Bridge’s signature Noodle Bar and a wider Asian food experience.

**Cathay has created what it calls “an oasis of calm” for its Diamond members and those flying in First Class**

2 JUNE

New lounge opeators at Ben Gurion Airport

ISRAEL. Jetex in a joint proposal with powerful local company Layam, and Swissport in a joint proposal with Israeli ground service operator QAS (Swissport International and Knafaim Israel), have been awarded the two concessions to operate hospitality lounges at Ben Gurion International Airport Terminal 3, Israel Airports Authority confirmed to The Moodie Davitt Report.

The story first broke in The Jerusalem Post.

The contract is for six years, with an option to extend for an additional 36 months.

The winners will replace incumbent Dan Hotels.

As reported, Israel Airports Authority issued a public tender in January seeking partners to manage up to five VIP lounges at the country’s main air terminal.

**Click on the image to read our earlier story on the tender**

Israel Airports Authority views the VIP Lounges Services as a key T3 passenger facility. To improve service levels, increase competition and allow for operational flexibility, it opted for a dual-operator model.

Ben Gurion International Airport VIP lounges are used by first-class and business-class passengers and members of various frequent flyer programmes and customer clubs, whose memberships grant access to the lounges and also allow paid access to all other passengers.

The VIP Lounges are located in two main areas:

A) Two lounges in Concourse E and Concourse B at the Departures Hall, and the lounge in the eastern gallery of the Arrivals Hall (currently the ‘Arbel’ Lounge);

B) The lounge in Concourse C and another in the ‘Small Rotunda (roundabout)’ in the Departures Hall.

Swissport operates more than 100 Aspire Executive Lounges in global airports.

Jetex operates lounges at multiple airport locations including Paris, Marseille, Madrid, Malaga, Abu Dhabi and Asia. Layam is well-known in the airport world as a duty-free retailer.

Plaza goes premium in Johor Bahru

MALAYSIA. Plaza Premium Lounge has opened its latest passenger facility at Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru, bringing together what the company described as Malaysian charm and modern comfort.

Passengers can access a special -30% discount launch offer at the Senail lounge until 14 June 2025.

TENDER ALERT

The Moodie Davitt Report is the industry’s most popular channel for launching commercial proposals and for publishing the results. If you wish to promote an Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals or full tender process for any sector of airport or other travel-related infrastructure revenues, simply email Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com.

We have a variety of options that will ensure you reach the widest, most high-quality concessionaire/retailer/operator base in the industry – globally and immediately.

The Moodie Davitt Report is the only international business media to cover all airport or other travel-related consumer services, revenue-generating and otherwise. Our reporting includes duty-free and other retail, food & beverage, property, passenger lounges, art and culture, hotels, car parking, medical facilities, the internet, advertising and related revenue streams.

Please send relevant material, including images, to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com for instant, quality global coverage.

The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce Airport Hospitality World, the latest edition to its wide-ranging, market-leading travel retail and airport non-aeronautical revenues publishing and event portfolio.

Airport Hospitality World covers all forms of airport lounges across international and domestic terminals, including various definitions as follows:

Pay-per-use
First Class and Business Class
Airline-affiliated
Alliance-based
Credit card-linked

Plus other hospitality-related platforms:

Airport hotels
Meet & Greet
Concierge services
Rewards
Baggage wrap and other related services
Miscellaneous passenger support programmes (buggies, porter services and more)
Pet facilities and services

Excitingly, the long-established Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards will embrace Airport Hospitality World from the 2026 edition – the event’s 15th anniversary. The event will take on an extended form, featuring an exhibition and the ultimate one-stop airport hospitality and food & beverage conference and awards platform.