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Air France Unveils Updated Lounge at Washington Dulles

July 19, 2019
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4 min read
Air France-KLM IAD downstairs
Air France Unveils Updated Lounge at Washington Dulles
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Air France-KLM has unveiled its renovated lounge at Washington Dulles, featuring new fittings and a downstairs space that adds capacity at the D.C. area gateway.

The 7,000-square foot space, located in concourse A across from gates A20 and A22 at Dulles (IAD), seats 155 passengers on two levels, including a private space for La Première first class passengers. The upper level had a soft opening in May, with the lower level due to open in the next two weeks.

The updated lounge is open to business and first class passengers on Air France, Alitalia, Korean Air and KLM passengers, as well as those with SkyTeam Elite Plus status. It is also open to Priority Pass members from 10:30am to 2pm and from 6pm to 11:45pm daily, according to the Priority Pass site.

Related: The Best Credit Cards for Airline Lounge Access in 2019

The lounge, which is an update and expansion to Air France's existing space at Dulles, sports a new look for the airline. Out are the traditional blue, red and white of the carrier’s color palette, and in are gray, teal and orange fabrics on the seats and walls that will begin to feature at the airline's global lounges.

The main space at the new Air France-KLM lounge at Washington Dulles. (Image by Edward Russell/TPG)

"This space is so essential for frequent travelers," said the Ambassador of France to the United States Philippe Etienne at a ribbon cutting on July 18.

Air France-KLM cut the ribbon on a renovated and expanded lounge at Washington Dulles on July 18 (Image by Edward Russell/TPG)

The bar in the lounge offers an expanded drink selection, including draft beers, said Bas Gerressen, Air France-KLM's senior vice-president for North America, at the ribbon cutting.

The bar in the new Air France-KLM lounge at Washington Dulles features draft beer on tap. (Image by Edward Russell/TPG.)
A wine dispenser in the new Air France-KLM lounge at Dulles. (Image by Edward Russell/TPG)

A highlight of the new Air France lounge is a new downstairs space that adds needed seating capacity. The downstairs, while lacking windows, features new "skylights" that create the effect of sunlight without the UV rays, said Fabien Chauffour, project manager for real estate at Air France who led the project at Dulles, at the event.

The new downstairs space in the Air France-KLM lounge at Dulles feature skylight-like lights. (Image by Edward Russell/TPG)

The "skylights," made by Italian firm CoeLux, generate a daylight-like feel in what is otherwise an entirely enclosed space under the departures level of the concourse. They are a first for Air France, said Chauffour, adding that he found the product with the Dulles space in mind.

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The downstairs space also features a number of "quiet" alcoves that are lined with fabric to reduce noise, Chauffour said.

Alcove seating in the new downstairs section of the Air France-KLM lounge at Dulles. (Image by Edward Russell/TPG)

Passengers can also enjoy Air France's new "Night Service" pre-flight dining in the revamped Dulles lounge, Gerressen said. Introduced at New York JFK in 2016, the offering allows premium passengers to eat a meal before their flight so they can sleep onboard.

Night Service dining at Dulles is only be available for premium passengers on Air France's late-evening departure to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) that leaves Washington at 9:10pm local time, adds Gerressen.

The snack spread in the new Air France-KLM lounge at Dulles. (Image by Edward Russell/TPG.)

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Why We Chose It

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.