SITTING area
Rarely does the thought of an airline lounge enter into a column on Property. I see it more often in international magazines and write-ups about foreign airlines and their latest and greatest lounges, but on the local scene, the concept of a lounge has usually been along the lines of keeping things “cheap and cheerful.”
WARREN Foster-Brown, founder of FBEYE International
It is therefore refreshing to experience the new Mabuhay Lounge of Philippine Airlines (PAL) at the Naia Terminal 2. The newly renovated lounge is the first point of contact that the Mabuhay Class passenger experiences with the airline, and in that sense, a world-class lounge is a statement of the airline’s vision to compete on the world stage.
Pleasant experience
As Ramon S. Ang, president of PAL, so deftly states it: “This new Mabuhay Lounge is just one of many improvements we are working on at Philippine Airlines. With this new lounge, we are keeping in step with the world’s leading and best airlines. We offer our valued passengers a pleasant experience, marked by warm and hospitable service, and high-quality amenities and features. This is our way of extending to our customers the brand of service PAL has been known for, before they even board their flights.”
RECEPTION area with storage space
The new Mabuhay Lounge was designed by Warren Foster-Brown of FBEYE International, a Singapore-based, award-winning interior design firm. Warren hails from London but his career has taken him around the globe, for projects such as the Sheraton Sanya in Hainan Island, China, and the St. Regis Hotel in Singapore. In our country, Warren has worked on various San Miguel projects including the Diamond Hotel and Diamond Makati Residences.
It took Warren and his FBEYE team just three weeks to conceptualize the complete overhaul of the 520 square-meter space. The overriding philosophy was “what you expect in the sky, you can expect on ground.”
4 main areas
The new Mabuhay Lounge has four main areas for Business Class passengers. The reception area now has a hotel reception look and feel, with a storage for coats and bags just on the side.
BUFFET area
From here, passengers walk into a large dining area, which can accommodate up to 80 people. The integrated buffet expands the menu available to passengers, but also preserves the old favorite, the arroz caldo. Long tables allow for easy interaction among guests, and those wishing for more quiet time can lounge on leather seats with individual ottomans.
Further into the lounge is a library, for passengers seeking a more tranquil experience. Guests here have more privacy, and their individual seats have tables equipped with power sources—just the place to juice up one’s electronics prior to take off.
Just off the library is a mini theater, designed to complement the airline’s “Flights of Fancy” onboard entertainment features. The theater has aircraft-inspired chairs and dimmer lighting for a complete cinema experience.
Aside from the four main areas, the lounge’s restrooms and shower room have been completely overhauled. Nearby is a VIP Room, for just six to eight guests who may require the utmost privacy. In the VIP Room, a map of Old Manila, embossed in leather, complements the sofas and bar tables.
The complete Mabuhay Lounge is fully featured in the October issue of Mabuhay Magazine, the airline’s monthly in-flight magazine. It’s a great way for PAL to reemphasize its position as Asia’s first airline, and now, the country’s only full-service carrier.
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