Despite many European airlines leaving the market, China remains a strategic destination for many international carriers. Among the country's most important airports is Guangzhou International (CAN), home to one of the big 3 Chinese carriers China Southern. Guangzhou airport is at the center of today's story as it has become the home to the very first Star Alliance branded lounge.
Star Alliance's First Branded Airport Lounge at Guangzhou Intl
This is the very first Star Alliance branded lounge to open its doors to travelers. It isn't, however, something totally new to alliances as another major has already set up a couple of them. More on that later. The airport of choice to host the very first Star Alliance branded lounge is Guangzhou, which might not sound quite interesting to many. Let's put some context into that though.
Guangzhou international airport is among China's busiest international airports with over 60 million passengers using its facilities in 2023. The airport doesn't only serve the city of Guangzhou but also the strategically important hi-tech and financial city of Shenzhen which is just across the SAR border from Hong Kong. So it is a mighty important airport for the country for both political and economic reasons.
The new Star Alliance branded lounge at Guangzhou international airport will be open around the clock, 24/7. It will welcome up to 100 passengers traveling in First or Business Class on Star Alliance airline flights or passengers with elite frequent flyer status. It covers quite a bit of real estate in Guangzhou's airport with 750 square meters of floorspace.
The lounge is setup to offer both spaces to relax and unwind or remain productive between flights. You'll have the chance to unwind and relax on the lie flat chairs or refreshing yourself in the complimentary showers. Of course there will be around the clock catering available with a fine selection of local teas.
Inside the lounge is also a VIP area, ready for guests to host meetings on the go.
Star Alliance, just like the other alliance that owns a similar asset, opened its new branded lounge in Guangzhou international airport in a strategic position. That is in close proximity to all the gates usually used by Star Alliance member airlines for their flights. This allows to reduce walking times from the lounge to the gate reducing travel induced stress.
Also, for all aviation lovers and enthusiasts as me, the new lounge also have huge windows overlooking the tarmac allowing to enjoy the ballet of aircraft movements.
Currently 10 Star Alliance airlines operate flights in and out of Guangzhou international airport, namely:
- Air China
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Egyptair
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- THAI
- Turkish Airlines
You might have picked up that there are no European Airlines in that list. That is because carriers from the continent have been pulling out of many Chinese destinations due to the high costs of operating the flights and reduced flight demand. This all started in the latter stages of 2023 with the trend accelerating in 2024.
A New Trend? Star Alliance Follows OneWorld Opening a Branded Airport Lounge
The other major airline alliance that has already opened not one but two branded airport lounges is OneWorld. OneWorld operates two facilities of this sort at Seoul Incheon and Amsterdam Schiphol international airports.
Branded lounges are a fantastic solution to offer all carriers a space they can call their own without having to invest massively in airports that might not be strategic to them to open dedicated lounge. Branded lounges, as the Star Alliance one at Guangzhou, allow to maintain quality standards and brand consistency for all carriers, offering a much better product and experience than independent third party lounges. Now, the only airline alliance yet to have its own branded lounge is SkyTeam.
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