Priority Pass members now have access to over 600 airport VIP lounges around the world – an increase of 100 over 2008, reinforcing its market leadership. Priority Pass is one of the beneficiaries of the uncertain economic climate, as more travelers seek to cut travel costs and downgrade from business class. By joining Priority Pass, travelers can ensure that they can gain access to the facilities of VIP lounges, even when flying economy class. Lounges offer refreshments, business facilities and, above all, peace and quiet.
“Our program has always appealed to those travelers who want to escape crowded, noisy departure halls without paying through the nose,” commented Jonathan French, Priority Pass Head of Brand, “but now our program expansion has coincided with an upturn in interest from a new group of downgrading travelers. They realize that on short-haul flights, they can spend as much time in the airport as on the aircraft, and it’s on the ground that getting access to a VIP area can pay dividends in terms of reducing the stress of travel.”
The growth of Priority Pass to over 600 lounges means that members can rely on finding a lounge at more than 325 airports across 100 countries.
French added, “While some in the travel industry are scaling back, we continue to invest in growth and in meeting our objective of ensuring our members can use a lounge whenever they travel.”
Highlights of the growth during 2008 include:
Europe
- Comprehensive coverage of UK airports expanded to include Plymouth and Inverness.
- Additional lounges in Spain, Italy and Germany, boosting an already very comprehensive program.
- New lounges in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Poland, Slovak Republic, Hungary and Russia.
Middle East
- New lounges available in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Jordan.
Asia Pacific
- Significant expansion in key cities, with multiple lounges added in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Seoul.
- New lounges in India including at Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Cochin.
- New lounges in Japan, including at Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Osaka
- As well as Seoul, additional new locations and lounges added in South Korea, including Busan and Jeju Island.
North America
- A long list of new lounges in the USA includes additions to our program in Atlanta, Boston, Denver Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Phoenix, and Raleigh Durham.
Latin America and Caribbean
- A comprehensive program has been expanded further with additional lounges in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Peru
