We’re all so accustomed to the tedious steps travelling by air requires – winding through snake lines dealing with check-in, bag drop, immigration and security, that it’s a welcome surprise to find an oasis of serenity where we’re greeted like special guests and invited to relax before embarking on the actual journey.
You don’t really even need to be very “special” to be treated as if you are. KLM’s Crown Lounge at the end of Toronto’s Terminal 3 International Pier invites regular folks like us to enjoy a respite from all the processing. How valuable is something so rare these days? It’s priceless… but, will cost you only $34 to relax in its spacious (575 sq. meters) seating areas with a view of Pearson’s runways and main taxiway. Just helping yourself to the Crown Lounge’s free WiFi, a nice cold Heineken on tap or a glass of wine and some soup and snacks will run you at least that much in one of the airport’s more crowded and noisy eateries.
KLM’s Frequent Flyers and Business Class passengers as well as most of the Business Class passengers of other international carriers at Terminal 3 are invited to use the Crown Lounge free of charge, but anyone else is most welcome to purchase a lounge pass at KLM’s ticket office on the departures level at Terminal 3 or at the lounge’s welcome desk. As travel agents, you might consider buying a booklet of 25 Crown Lounge passes to treat your best clients.
When the lounge originally opened in 2004, its shared use and pay-per-visit concepts were pretty innovative. Most airport lounges are either for the exclusive use of one carrier’s elite level passengers or, if they are pay-per-use, have limited facilities and ambience. KLM management was initially sceptical and were understandably concerned about costs, wear and tear and management of such a large facility catering to a broad range of travellers.
But its 150 passenger seating capacity has never been maxed out. The departure schedules of the carriers on T3’s international pier are spread throughout the day and night, meaning the lounge is operating close to 24 hours a day with a hostess and two additional staff welcoming and assisting guests.
The lounge has actually now become a profitable operation and its business model is under consideration at other international airports where KLM has the space and facilities.
The lounge is equipped with free wireless internet, large flat screen TV, a business centre offering individual workstations, printer, copier and a fax machine. The Crown lounge also features an exclusive separate room suitable for meetings or VIPs and celebrities for whom privacy would be appropriate.
