The SLOW lounge gives high flyers a new oasis

Monday, 29 March 2010 09:14

Comair, in partnership with FirstRand Group, launches a luxury domestic lounge for very busy people

Jo’burg, March 2010: Comair has set a new global standard for domestic airport lounges here in South Africa with the launch of their SLOW Lounges. SLOW’s tranquil and stylish environment was conceived by visionary local designers to provide a perfect sanctuary from the fast pace of travel and modern life. Features include a chef, a barista, a bar serving the finest South African wines, a Library, a Nintendo games room, private meeting spaces and business facilities. In addition, Cape Town’s SLOW Lounge also contains an on-site Spa offering massages and wellness treatments.

In an ever accelerating world, the SLOW Lounge concept was inspired by the growing international trend towards appreciating life’s journey as much as achieving the end goal. When flying in South Africa, the SLOW Lounge creates a valuable and enjoyable “moment in time” between checking in and boarding, where the chaos of the airport and stress of travelling can be forgotten. SLOW allows one to make the most of that moment to work productively, enjoy a snack or simply put ones feet up.

Already up-and-running at Johannesburg and Cape Town international airports, with Durban to launch later in the year, access to the SLOW Lounges is exclusive to qualifying British Airways Executive Club holders, British Airways Club (business class) passengers, RMB Private Bank clients, FNB platinum card holders and FNB Private Bank travellers.

“Traditionally domestic lounges are seen as a step in your journey, a place you don’t necessarily want to be in but you go there because you have time to kill. With SLOW we’re trying to change this, we want people to leave feeling better than when they arrive. We are already seeing travellers arriving early to enjoy the experience. Our aim is for SLOW to be seen as a destination rather than a waiting room before a flight,” said Gidon Novick, Joint CEO of Comair.

Branding and design consultancy GRID was responsible for developing the SLOW brand and concept alongside Comair. The interior décor and design was created by Tonic – with a holistic focus using natural materials and colours complemented by local art work.

Continuously striving to make helpfulness a reality, FirstRand Group saw perfect synergy in partnering with Comair on SLOW. “We want to distinguish ourselves from other banking institutions by giving our customers concrete solutions that can improve their well-being simultaneously we hope that this initiative will help us to entrench FNB’s brand promise of a helpful bank and RMB Private Bank’s ‘thinking that can change your world,” said Jacques Celliers, CEO of FNB Credit Card.

SLOW lounges have the following activities and features: