Heathrow Airport, UK. Ageing aviation dinosaur with excessive prices or classy international hub?
Still regularly in the top five for the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow has recently come in for fierce criticism from its airline and hospitality customers, who have complained in an open letter that the airport management is allowing facilities to fall into decline despite charging some of the costliest user fees in the world.
For everyday passengers, said the group of critics, which included IAG, Virgin Atlantic and Arora hotels, terminal facilities are not as good as elsewhere in Europe and parking charges are extortionate.
The Windsor exclusive experience
But one group of flyers at least is promised “the ultimate airport experience” and they are those who can afford to splash out £3,812 (€4,575) for up to three guests in “The Windsor” – the airport’s exclusive VIP suite.
Whether one has a few thousand quid to spare or not, The Windsor’s doors will only open to first or business class passengers. Inside it offers “eight unique and beautifully decorated private lounges, designed with comfort front of mind.” That comfort includes Michelin-star-quality dishes, curated by chef Jason Atherton, a chauffeur-driven car service within 25 miles (40 km), and, just in case one wants to recreate the high-end airport lounge ambience at home, the chance to buy the facility’s world-class artwork by famous names such as Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin, David Hockney, and Andy Warhol.
Welcoming VIPs since the 1960s
Of course, those enjoying The Windsor are likely to be famous names themselves. It began life back in the 1960s as a VIP service for the monarchy and diplomats. Since then, its hallowed lounges, refurbed in 2008 and again now, have welcomed not only British royals, but the Pope, the Gods of international football, plus a range of other celebrities – and their dogs.
That client list might seem impressive, but The Windsor’s user base represents just 0.06% of Heathrow’s 83.9 million yearly passengers. The lucky few do not even have to trouble themselves to leave their exclusive suites to go high-end shopping, as personal shoppers will take the trouble to visit designer stores such as Cartier, Burberry, Dior, Fortnum & Mason, and Rolex on their behalf.
Meanwhile, the bulk of the hub’s customers, according to Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic are forced to contend with “ageing facilities and a declining customer experience” that are no longer aligned with competitor air hubs around Europe and the world.
Luxury airport lounges around the world
It is even possible that The Windsor’s guests may begin to feel a little neglected too, when they read about what’s on offer for the super-rich elsewhere.
In Dubai’s FBO, they would benefit from the world’s first Rolls-Royce airside transfer, plus a relaxation room with Metronaps sleeping pods and a cigar lounge. At Paris Charles-de-Gaulle’s there are spa treatments available between the Michelin-star nibbles, and, likewise, Frankfurt Airport offers its first-class passengers the chance of a private jacuzzi while shunting the rigmarole of boarding onto a personal assistant.
The Dominican Republic’s privately-owned Punta Cana has open air terminals and palm fronds overhead, but even that might be beaten into a cocked hat by by Switzerland’s Zurich Airport where first-class passengers get hotel rooms with beds, bathrooms and Alpine views.
