Hanging out at the airport has always divided travelers into two groups: Those who are airline lounge members, and those who aren’t.
Now, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport wants to narrow that gap by offering an independent airport lounge where any flier could pay a daily rate to get snacks, drinks and a calmer atmosphere.
It also plans more sleep suites for fliers.
Some other major airports around the country already have independent lounges, including New York’s JFK, Los Angeles and Miami. A company called Airspace Lounge plans to open one at Baltimore Washington International Airport next month.
It will charge $17.50 to $40 per day, depending on how busy the lounge is, for access that includes food and non-alcoholic beverages, wireless Internet, power outlets and workspace.
Hartsfield-Jackson plans to put out a solicitation in the next few months for a lounge on Concourse F in the international terminal to open next spring, concessions director Paul Brown said.
The Atlanta airport already has airline frequent flier clubs, including several Delta Sky Clubs. Those require membership, although they also offer a $50 day pass to passengers of any airline.
A Delta Sky Club will also be in the new concourse F, but Brown thinks there’s room for more offerings.
Airspace Lounge chief executive Anthony Tangorra said he expects his lounges to attract travelers on airlines that don’t have lounges in the airport, including discount carriers such as AirTran Airways or Southwest.
Hartsfield-Jackson also plans to solicit proposals for two more sleep centers.
The airport already has a Minute Suites location that opened in late 2009 on Concourse B, where the minimum stay is one hour for $30. Each additional 15 minutes costs $7.50, with discounts for stays four hours or longer. Airline crews get discounts. Each unit has a daybed sofa, a television and a small work station.
“They’ve had some uses that they didn’t originally expect,” such as mothers with children looking for quiet time and business travelers coming in on red-eyes who want to rest before going out to do business, said Brown.
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