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Straits Times
11-08-2025
- Straits Times
When everybody has airport lounge access, nobody does
UNITED STATES – It was only when my partner and I arrived at Orlando Airport in May that I realised my crucial error: I had forgotten to pre-book the one lounge to which I had access. The Club MCO lounge was full, so we joined the queue to enter our names in the much-longer digital queue. After 20 minutes of standing around, we gained entrance to what looked like a breakfast buffet at a budget hotel: beige walls, tired carpets and a small selection of food that looked far less appetising than the options at Bahama Breeze, the wonderfully tacky, Caribbean-themed restaurant in the terminal. Sipping on a weak gin and tonic, and picking at a sad cup of gummy bears, I had to ask myself: Why exactly was I so desperate to be here? There have never been more airport lounges. Yet there are also seemingly more lounges that are not worth the hassle. Many are forlorn. Many others are overcrowded. Sometimes, the lines for the lounges are the longest in the airport. Yet people all still fight to get in. Many will choose to fork over too much in credit card fees or commit to flying on one airline to gain entry to these spaces, because they still believe the lounges offer a taste of luxury amid the stress of travel. In the smartphone age, people have been sold on the idea that travel is no longer just about the act itself, but about being seen to be travelling – and being seen to do so in style. Just do not tell those sitting at Bahama Breeze that they are probably having a better time. A month after my sojourn at Orlando Airport, I would question my lounge loyalty again, this time after receiving an e-mail alerting me that the annual fee for my Chase Sapphire Reserve card – a premium credit card favoured by my fellow millennials, which comes with access to lounges around the world – was jumping from US$550 (S$640) to an eye-popping US$795. This new fee was accompanied by a confusing raft of other changes designed to justify the bump, such as a US$500 resort credit, US$300 to spend at a list of restaurants and membership to Apple Music. But even as I dived into this complicated mental mathematics and debated whether I was ready to leave Spotify, my eye fell to the photo embedded in the e-mail of the new, convolutedly named Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club at the Philadelphia International Airport. Although I had flown through the city only once in my lifetime, I still found it alluring. The space resembled a sexy bar in a ritzy hotel lobby, complete with plush furnishings and mood lighting that appeared flattering enough to make even the most weary traveller look like James Bond sipping a martini. While Chase has built a handful of fancy clubs (with plans for more), most of those my card gives me access to are decidedly less glamorous. In some of them, with their cubed cheese and powdered eggs, I have felt less like Bond and more like Melissa McCarthy's frumpy cat lady in the 2015 action comedy, Spy. Mr Ben Schlappig understands my sentiments. The founder of the flight and travel website One Mile at a Time estimates he has visited more than 500 lounges since he began chronicling his globe-trotting in 2008. He cites unpleasantries such as overcrowding and sitting next to someone exhibiting what he calls 'airport behaviour' (like chatting loudly on a speakerphone). More on this topic For the privileged few, airport food hits a new height of luxury Occasionally, when he knows a lounge will be one of the sad ones where the buffet seems like 'a feeding trough', Mr Schlappig – who has premier status with American AAdvantage and Air France-KLM Flying Blue – even prefers to simply wait by the gate. 'At some point,' he told me, 'when everybody has lounge access, it's almost like nobody does.' It certainly feels like everybody does. Collinson, the company behind Priority Pass, reported a 31 per cent increase in lounge visits in 2024 compared with the year before. More than half of frequent travellers visit lounges, according to a survey in 2024 by Airport Dimensions. The market research firm Research and Markets predicted the US$4.21 billion airport lounge industry will more than double by 2029. Once reserved mostly for older, frequent business travellers, lounges are increasingly being invaded by people like me: millennials who baulk at the cost of a first-class ticket but can afford an annual credit card fee. Even though demand for travel appears to be waning amid an uncertain economy, what has not changed is the extent to which social media and influencer culture peddle these lounges as a key ingredient of the good life. With interest through the roof, little wonder that the lounge industry is becoming embroiled in something of an arms race. Credit card companies like Chase and Capital One race to erect fancier lounges to satisfy increasing domestic demand . International airlines are going further to attract those truly wealthy customers willing to fork over thousands for top-class travel. In Helsinki, Finland, you can take a sauna before consuming a reindeer burger. In Doha, Qatar, you can relax in a Jacuzzi, drive in a Formula One racing simulator or take a nap in a private bedroom. In Paris, you can dine in a private suite on food prepared by the renowned chef Alain Ducasse, then be driven in a luxury sedan on a tarmac to your plane. In addition to building more lounges, many operators are trying to thin the herds by making it harder to get in. Capital One announced that in 2026, it will take steps to limit access for members seeking to bring additional cardholders and guests, mirroring recent steps taken by Delta Air L ines and United Airlines. One credit card company is dispensing with the airport altogether. American Express now operates a private club in Manhattan for select holders of its Centurion Card – known as the Black Card – part of a wave of pricey members-only clubs that have recently been repopularised i n cities around the world. Airports and planes have long been places where people are regularly and openly sorted into classes, and there is something innately human about striving (or paying) to get to the top. While many of these lounges feel crowded and unremarkable, they still allow you to cosplay, however briefly, as a VIP. All this complaining is, of course, deeply frivolous in the grand scheme of things. Travel is a privilege. But money is also precious and it is all right to question what people are being sold. That said, there is one type of airport lounge that I remain deeply committed to: the arrivals lounge. During a recent long-haul flight from New York to see family in Sydney, Australia, my plane stopped in Auckland, New Zealand, after almost 18 mind-numbing hours of flying. When I cleared customs and waited for my final connection to Australia, I raced to the nearest Priority Pass lounge and took the most incredible shower of my life. I would have paid whatever it had asked. NYTIMES
Business Insider
09-08-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Inside KPMG's lavish Florida 'Lakehouse,' where interns get drumming parades, soft serve ice cream, and mini-golf
To understand KPMG's Lakehouse, you have to wipe the image of classic lakehouse out of your head. I wasn't sure whether to expect a corporate office or a quaint cottage that the name made me picture. Lakehouse turned out to be neither. From Orlando Airport, KPMG shuttles employees by bus to the facility in Lake Nona, a planned community and innovation hub. When I saw it for the first time as I drove up the wide horseshoe driveway, I was surprised by its size. I was ushered into a spacious, air-conditioned lobby with two-tiered windows that let all the light in. Smiling staff in Lakehouse-branded polo shirts welcomed people as they instructed them to find their name badges and drop bags in their rooms. On my first evening, a welcome presentation for summer interns featured a group of drummers. A welcome presentation in the property's large conference hall kicked off with a drum parade. At one point, the drummers raised their sticks in the air and shouted, "KPMG." If it hadn't before, Lakehouse felt like a corporate holiday camp now. Jason LaRue, a partner and the head of talent and culture at KPMG, told me the drumming was to make the interns "feel celebratory." "We're just trying to show people that it's different and to create a special kind of energy," he added. KPMG-ers can preorder free tea and coffee from their rooms. There's a Starbucks in the lobby where free coffee and tea are available throughout the day. If you preorder from your bedroom early enough, you can pick it up before training. The lobby looks down onto "The Exchange," the main food hall. The 'AI Quad' in the lobby is a support hub for any questions about the technology. Classrooms were designed to encourage participation. I saw employees, young and older, using different learning spaces and walking around like it was a remarkably elegant college campus. There were smaller breakout rooms with casual seating arrangements, meeting rooms, classrooms for around 20 people, and large spaces for 100 or more people to gather. I also sat in on AI training sessions for tax and audit interns, during which someone from the on-site gym ran in and announced he was leading a five-minute "wellness break" of stretching and breathwork accompanied by relaxing music. For downtime, there's mini-golf and cycling. Some accountants are more vivacious than others, so having a few activities can help them break the ice and network, Sherry Magee, the senior director of client and community relations at Lakehouse, told me. Lakehouse Park's most recent addition is an 18-hole putting green. The green is designed to mimic famous golf courses — a nod to KPMG's sponsorship of the Women's PGA Championship. Evelyn Nunez-Alfaro, a tax intern, told me that she had already played pickleball and some mini-golf on her first day. "It's fun being active over here," she said. The sporting options don't stop at golf. There are courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, as well as a bike trail. The property also has a basketball court, beach volleyball court, two pickleball courts, a softball field, and a bike trail. I was starting to wonder if coming to Lakehouse feels at all like being at work. Andre Gaviola, an audit intern, said the amenities "really show that the company prioritizes work-life balance,' adding, "I'm not going to say it is a vacation, but in some ways it feels like a vacation." Enjoying Florida nature comes with risks. During my tour, I saw signs warning guests to watch out for the local wildlife. One KPMG employee mentioned a rumour that a drunken partner had fallen in the lake and tussled with an alligator. I had to ask about that. Alligators are just an "urban legend," Magee, my tour guide, told me. "You have to put up the signs, but there are no alligators," she said. But some remained wary. Gaviola had ventured out on the bike trail, but stayed on his bike the whole way. "I saw the signs and was a little concerned." In the evenings, guests can do karaoke and salsa-making at The Landing. The Landing is a popular hangout in the evenings. Maybe that's inevitable at a company-owned training facility where employees stay on-site. Several interns told me they were planning to watch the NBA finals there. It often hosts events and competitions, like karaoke and salsa-making competitions. A large square bar, TVs on the walls, and pool tables were visible from outside. But I didn't get to see it open as KPMG didn't let me stay on-site — presumably to avoid a journalist hanging out with consultants letting loose. The main canteen, The Exchange, is full of free food. Gaviola, the audit intern, told me what stood out most about Lakehouse was "the free food and the abundance of it." At The Exchange, a large canteen overlooking a green courtyard, the breakfast offerings included bacon, eggs, pancakes, a fruit and yogurt bar, breakfast tacos, and healthy smoothies. At lunch, serving stations had pasta, pizza, sushi, hot subs, grilled fish, and colourful salads. Some of the treats were too good to say no to. For dessert, hot apple pie, doughnut balls, and beignets caught my eye. But in the Florida heat, I had to make the most of the soft-serve ice cream tap and toppings. There are also a few Easter eggs around Lakehouse that don't show up on the property's app — yes, it has its own app — like a secret freezer filled with ice cream on an upper floor. There was one food item that almost everyone mentioned. I asked what the best food was. Pasta alla vodka, bang bang shrimp, and the smash burgers came up, but KPMG-ers were unanimous: chocolate-drizzled peanut butter bites. "I would travel across the country multiple times a year just to eat the peanut butter bites," said a partner in the interns' welcome talk. My guides asked the kitchen to prepare a plate specially for me, even though they weren't typically available that day, such was people's enthusiasm. The little Rice Krispies bits gave them a nice crunch, and they weren't as intensely peanut-buttery as I expected. Given the hype, I wasn't blown away, but writing this is making me crave one. Everyone from the CEO to interns sleeps in the same type of bedroom. Interns and KPMG's most senior leaders were all staying in the same style of bedroom, Magee told me. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and a desk because, after all, everyone's meant to be working. KPMG employees get an early start at the on-site gym. Guests often head to the gym or for walks around the property before training. When I visited in mid-morning, it was fairly empty, but Magee said it gets busy at around 6 a.m. Lakehouse sells merch, including golf balls and Taylor Swift-esque friendship bracelets. At the imaginatively named "The Store," guests can buy Lakehouse-branded clothing and small gifts. I found golf balls and chip markers for sale, a nod to KPMG's connection to women's golf. A woman's sports jacket cost $63, and KPMG caps were $25. I was expecting prices to be higher. For $2.25, guests can buy Taylor Swift-esque friendship bracelets spelling out "fueled by curiosity" or "Lakehouse." There are over 1,700 solar panels on the roof. Magee said that 7% of the property's energy came from the 1,700 solar panels on the roof. The facility also provides guests with reusable aluminium water bottles and refill stations. But how environmentally conscious is it to fly thousands of employees across the US to Lakehouse? For every person who flies, KPMG pays a " tax" to its internal sustainability efforts, Magee said, though she didn't say how much this was. The company knows how many employees are on-site at Lakehouse, so it adjusts factors like vehicle size and supplies to reduce waste, she added. Some of KPMG's gatherings are still virtual, but you need to bring employees together, and that means flying them somewhere, Magee said.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Delta flight evacuated on runway of Orlando airport after engine fire
A Delta Airlines plane was evacuated on the runway of Orlando Airport after an engine fire. Delta Flight 1213 was due to leave the Florida airport for Atlanta at 11.15am ET on Monday when a fire started in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft's two engines. Flames were spotted coming from the engine of the Airbus A330 at 11.06am, forcing crew to deploy emergency slides to passengers could escape. Passengers were seen using the slides to escape the aircraft in video shot by fellow travelers. Delta said there were 200 passengers along with 10 flight attendants and two pilots on board. 'We appreciate our customers' cooperation and apologize for the experience,' the airline said. 'Nothing is more important than safety and Delta teams will work to get our customers to their final destinations as soon as possible. 'Delta will bring in additional aircraft to help get customers to their final destinations.' Maintenance crews will examine the aircraft to determine the cause of the fire. All passengers returned to the terminal unharmed and were given food and drinks while they waited for a new flight. Orlando Airport said it was working on an active situation and the plane was evacuated. 'The fire was contained and is out. Some passengers were evacuated via an emergency slide,' it said.
News18
21-04-2025
- General
- News18
Flames Engulf Delta Flight's Engine At Orlando Airport, Passengers Evacuate Using Emergency Slides
Last Updated: A Delta Airbus A330 caught fire at Orlando Airport before take-off to Atlanta. Flight DL1213 was evacuated using slides. No injuries were reported among the 282 onboard. A Delta Air Lines aircraft caught fire on Monday before its scheduled take-off at a central Florida airport, leading to the evacuation of passengers, according to airport officials. There were no injuries reported during the fire on the plane at Orlando International Airport, Delta stated. 🔴 Delta Air Lines flight DL1213 was evacuated at Orlando Airport after flames were seen from the No. 2 engine during startup. Emergency slides were deployed. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported, Delta confirmed. — Airways Magazine (@airwaysmagazine) April 21, 2025 The engine fire occurred on Delta Air Lines Flight 1213 while the plane was at the ramp before its departure from Orlando to Atlanta late Monday morning, airport officials mentioned on social media. Passengers were evacuated, and the airport's rescue and firefighting team responded, the airport's statement confirmed. The Airbus A330 aircraft had 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and two pilots, Delta informed. Delta flight crews followed procedures to evacuate the passenger cabin when flames were observed in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft's two engines, Delta stated. Maintenance teams will inspect the aircraft to determine the cause of the fire, Delta added. First Published: April 21, 2025, 23:38 IST
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Delta flight is evacuated on RUNWAY of Orlando airport after terrifying incident just before take-off
An enormous Delta Airlines plane was evacuated on the runway of Orlando Airport after suffering an engine fire. Flight DL1213 had been due to leave the Florida airport for Atlanta at 11am ET Monday morning. But flames were spotted coming from the engine of the Airbus A330, forcing crew to deploy emergency slides to passengers could escape. Developing story, check back for updates...
