On a trip home from India two years ago, I flew business class on Lufthansa, which meant I had lounge access in Delhi and Frankfurt. The German flag carrier went all out for the holidays, offering warm gluhwein and traditional German Christmas pastries and cookies in both lounges. So we decided to take a look and see what airlines and independent lounges are doing in 2016.
Holiday dishes and gifts for kids at Lufthansa lounges
This year, Lufthansa will greet its first class Frankfurt lounges and terminal guests with a special holiday dish, roasted duck with caramelized red cabbage, potato cranberry-dumplings and goose liver Figaro. All of the carrier’s lounges will offer treats including Stollen cake, roasted almonds and fresh-baked cookies. Children in the lounges will be given little teddy bears dressed in thick hooded coats, along with small gift bags filled with a coloring book, surprises and puzzles.
Welcome our new duck, who is enjoying the #winter season at one of the beautiful #ChristmasMarkets in Germany🎄 pic.twitter.com/oz4cRWWGSI
— First Class Terminal (@Lufthansa_FCT) December 15, 2016
Seasonal cocktails at the new United Polaris Lounge
Fresh off opening its new Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, United Airlines is offering special cocktails in its United Clubs through Dec. 31. Those cocktails, under the banner A Toast to the Holiday Spirit, include the Gingerbread Old Fashioned; the Jubilee and the White Holiday Martini.
United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Win free access to the new Escape Lounges at BDL and OAK
The independent Escape Lounges just opened two new locations at Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, and California’s Oakland International Airport. They join the existing lounge at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
From now through Jan. 6, 2017, flyers can win the chance for free access to the Bradley and Oakland lounges. Travelers need to check in via the Escape Lounge Facebook page for the chance to win one of 10 free daily entry passes into the lounges. Escape lounges offer free fresh, local chef-inspired food and alcoholic beverages, free high-speed Wi-Fi and charging stations, and a quiet space to eat and relax.
Escape Lounge – Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) | © MAG USA
Holiday treats at select Delta Sky Clubs
Delta is offering holiday-themed food featuring crepes, fresh berries and Valrhona chocolate at its JFK, Detroit Metro and Atlanta hubs, along with Los Angeles and Seattle. And the Delta Military Lounge in Atlanta will offer free food, beverages and activities to all active and retired service men and women and their families.
Delta Sky Club – Seattle, WA (SEA) Concourses A-B
Holiday spirit at Qantas Lounges
Qantas has gone all out in its lounges, offering Christmas-inspired food and cocktails, movies and its very first Christmas Market, allowing travelers to buy last-minute gifts. The Sydney Qantas Club’s Christmas market will sell items including: Rockpool with Neil Perry-signed cookbooks; Bird & Knoll scarves; The Daily Edited monogrammed leather goods; and sauces, relishes and chocolates from Simon Johnson.
The Qantas Christmas Cocktail, with sparkling wine, cinnamon quills, cloves, cardamom pods, golden syrup and mint, will be served in all Domestic Lounges through Dec 30. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Qantas will serve rum balls in Qantas Clubs and fruit mince pies and ham off the bone in Business Lounges.
The special Christmas Cocktail will be served through Dec. 30 in all Business and First Lounges, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Los Angeles and Australia. Travelers can feast on turkey, ham off the bone and rum balls on Christmas Day.
Qantas Club – Sydney (SYD)
Holiday gifts at the Centurion Lounge
And last — but not least — American Express’s Centurion Lounges will offer 12 days of special holiday events, food and drink and gifts in its network. They didn’t offer specifics, but guaranteed they would be fun and exciting for card members.
American Express The Centurion Lounge – Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
Enjoyed a holiday gift or treat at a Centurion Lounge or at an airline club worldwide? Post the details in the comments section below!
Featured image: Brussels Airlines The Loft – Brussels (BRU)