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Few foreign airlines have a strong presence in the US; however, British Airways is an exception. The airline not only currently has a strong positon in the US, but is also expanding its Transatlantic operations. Unlike many other airlines that operate in the US, BA has several of its own lounges at US airports. Recently, BA announced that they would be spending $110 million on upgrading their lounges in the US.
The rationale behind this lounge upgrade—according to British Airways CEO Alex Cruz on his recent trip to the US—is that:
“We are excited to start work on a targeted investment plan to make improvements for our customers. We have already introduced the newest aircraft in our fleet onto many of our popular routes in the US and we want to ensure the lounge facilities match that premium experience.”
The company plans on spending a total of $110 million, of which there will be a $65 million investment at its base at JFK Terminal 7, which should greatly enhance customer experience. Also, over the next five years, the company will be upgrading lounges in San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Miami. The overhaul will however not affect all the BA lounges in the United States, with lounges at Washington DC and Philadelphia not being upgraded since they are already up to standard.
It seems that BA has some serious plans for its US operation, with new flights to Oakland, New Orleans, and Ft. Lauderdale. By the end of 2017, the company will serve 25 US destinations. Although BA has not confirmed whether the lounges will remain open during the refurbishment, we can only hope that they do. Indeed, in a lot of cases, the BA lounges in the US are nicer than some of their partner airlines such as AA Admirals Clubs. Flyers with Elite status, or those flying in premium cabins internationally, should be looking forward to the improved BA lounge facilities in the US.
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I’m interested in how their business model will translate with all of the international LCCs that have arisen as of late. $400 RT flights from North America to Europe can’t be that profitable.
check out these videos by Wendover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=069y1MpOkQY — pretty good explanation of how it *might* be viable.
This is great news. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
I have to say that the JFK and EWR lounges are already in good condition so what’s the point!
@ TIM . I agree with you
Any US lounge upgrade is good news. Especially an entire network of lounges.
A lot of BA lounges in the US are part time BA, part time Priority Pass. Hopefully those get upgraded as well.
Would be nice if they upgrade their business class.
Agreed 100%
They’ve got a strong presence in the U.K. So it looks like British airways is trying to get more US business travelers.
I hope BOS is upgraded soon, the place is a dump.
That is a huge amount to spend at JFK. I was in the Business Lounge earlier this year and to be honest didn’t notice it as being in dire need of refurbishment.
I really wish BA would spend money on upgrading their in-flight products (seat, food, etc) instead of focusing on things with secondary importance…
Nice!! I’d like to see it easier to book award travel with fewer surcharges on BA Avios.