Transforming the experience of passengers at the Airport

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Ahead of a new facility opening this month, No1 Lounge managing director Rami El-Dahshan tells Emily Moore about the services which this ‘world-class’ space will offer travellers

FOR many people, travel is the necessary evil that goes hand in hand with that dream holiday, family visit or business trip.

Indeed, standing in often lengthy queues as you complete the necessary check-in, security and passport control procedures probably isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. And when you add to this the challenge of finding somewhere quiet to sit to either do some work or relax with a drink, it is little wonder that time spent in airport terminals can be somewhat frustrating.

But one company is aiming to transform that experience for passengers travelling out of Jersey Airport.

No1 Lounge, a brand which is likely to be familiar to Islanders who have spent time at Gatwick Airport or in Heathrow Terminal 5, is due to open its 17th lounge, and its first outside the UK since Covid, later this month.

Located on the top floor of the departures area, the 142-seater lounge offers, says No1 Lounge managing director Rami El-Dahshan, a “relaxed space, with fantastic views across the runway and over the sea” which has been designed to have “a range of spaces to cater to the needs of different demographics”.

“We know that a wide range of people, from families and holidaymakers to business travellers, use Jersey Airport, so our focus has been on creating an environment which accommodates all of these groups,” he said.

Also top of the company’s agenda, he says, has been providing a hospitality experience which includes “as many nods to the Island as possible”.

“Local provenance sits at the heart of No1 Lounge and we recently held one of our leadership team meetings in Jersey, where we spent the day touring the Island and discovering all sorts of amazing places, from heritage sites to beaches,” said Rami. “One of the reasons I’m so proud of No1 Lounge is the time that the company invests in understanding the communities in which it operates.

“As a result of this, although our commitment to quality is the same across all our premises, with each team member employed directly by No1 Lounge to ensure that everyone shares the same values and is focused on the same goal, each space is unique and features small design nods to its location.

“In this instance, the design of the build has been inspired by Jersey’s coastline, rich heritage and landscapes by featuring a calming palette alongside the appeal of Jersey limestone.

“Additionally, many of the beverages on offer will be sourced from local suppliers, as will many of the dishes on the chef’s menu, which takes advantage of the Island’s ingredients, such as milk and butter.

As well as providing a selection of buffet items each day, the lounge offer will include an extensive range of drinks – most of which are included in the entry cost – as well as additional “surprise and delight options”, which will vary depending on the season.

Overseeing the lounge is Aristea Chatziioannou, who Rami says has “amazing experience of hospitality in the Island”.

“Aristea has worked as a general manager in a range of locations and really understands hospitality, not just in terms of customer relations but also behind the scenes,” he said. “Her knowledge of the industry is invaluable and we are delighted that she will be leading the local team.”

As well as recruiting in the Island and identifying local food and drink producers, Rami said that most of the construction work had been undertaken by Jersey-based contractors.

“It has been really exciting to see the space transform from the shell that it was when we signed the agreement with Ports of Jersey last September to the beautiful lounge that it is now,” he added.

The lounge offers “a range of spaces to cater to the needs of different demographics”

And as Ports of Jersey continues to “develop the Airport and to drive new business into the Island”, Rami says that having facilities such as No1 Lounge is hugely valuable.

“The plans that Ports of Jersey has for the Airport are very impressive and therefore the lounge needs to be just as impressive,” he said. “As the Island continues to establish new links and attract new business, it is really important that Jersey has the world-class items that people look for when they travel, and airport lounges are a key part of that experience.”

Saying that people’s use of airport lounges had changed since Covid, with the average dwell time in such spaces having increased, Rami added that access to the space would be available in a variety of ways.

“It may be that passengers book their lounge access at the same time as they book their flight or holiday,” he said. “Other people may automatically gain access to it through their credit-card provider, and there will also be options for people to pay for entry when they arrive at the Airport.”

As well as giving people some “quiet space” to sit while waiting for their flight, Rami said that the lounge could offer networking opportunities and “somewhere to build that sense of community that you often see on flights to and from Jersey”.

“Critically,” he said, “this is a space where people can come and relax and either get their business trip off to a good start or feel that their holiday has already begun before they board the flight.”