Emirates opens first airport lounge on west coast and celebrates $4 bay area million investment

Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, has opened its first airport lounge on the West Coast, at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The new lounge represents a $4 million investment in the Bay Area.
  
The SFO lounge has been designed with the same attention to detail as Emirates’ lounges throughout the world, including the airline’s award-winning facility at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, named one of the 2011 “Top Airport Lounges in North America” by Frommers.
 
The grand opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services, Jim Baxter, Emirates’ Vice President of USA, Central America & Caribbean and Herman Wai, Airport Services Manager SFO. 
 
“Emirates’ customers have come to rely on our superior service both in the air and on the ground,” said Mr. Mattar.  “We are proud to bring our award winning lounge product and our trademark hospitality and service to San Francisco with the opening of the Emirates Lounge at SFO.”
 
“With complimentary chauffeur drive service to and from the airport for First and Business Class travellers, customers in the Bay Area, Silicon Valley and San Francisco can now look forward to a seamless and stress-free experience from the start to the finish of their journey,” added Mr Mattar.
 
The 9,502 square foot space features the largest dining area of all SFO’s lounges; it is also the only lounge with a dedicated prayer room. Signature features include Italian marble floors, gold Rolex clocks and rich timber joinery. It features two-levels, purpose-built elevators, an internal staircase that connects the reception entrance on level three with the lounge below, and direct access to the boarding bridge.

Facilities and amenities also include two 60 inch LED TVs, 56 leather armchairs, shower facilities and a business centre. Lounge guests enjoy an a la carte service of complimentary hot and cold gourmet dishes.  Formal and informal seating options in the dining area are accompanied by a full bar service.

The Emirates Lounge at SFO is configured to seat up to 130 First and Business class passengers, and Skywards Gold members traveling from San Francisco to Dubai.  It is open from noon to 4:00pm daily.

 “We will continue to expand our relationship with San Francisco,” said Mr Baxter. “The opening of the Emirates Lounge at SFO just months after the announcement of our multi-year sponsorship of the San Francisco Symphony, represents a further strengthening of our commitment to the Bay Area.”

Emirates is the only airline offering non-stop service between SFO and Dubai International Airport (DXB).  Daily service on the ultra-modern Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft generates an estimated $54 million in economic benefit to the Bay Area economy per year.*

"Since commencing SFO service in December 2008, Emirates has realized strong market growth," said Airport Director John L. Martin.  "In 2011, Emirates' passenger traffic grew by 56 per centcompared to its first full year of operation in 2009.  Emirates' presence in our community, and its role in connecting the Bay Area - including Silicon Valley - with India, Africa and other points across the Middle East supports business development between the two regions while bringing more jobs to the local aviation community."

Emirates Flight 225 departs DXB at 8:55hrs each day, arriving at SFO at 12:55hrs the same day.  During winter, Emirates Flight 226 departs SFO at 15:45hrs, arriving at DXB the following day at 19:25hrs local time.  Emirates Flight 226 departs SFO each day at 4:45hrs during the summer season, arriving at DXB the following day at 7:20hrs local time.