Etihad Airways has opened its new premium lounge in Frankfurt, Germany, its first one outside of its home base Abu Dhabi.

The luxury facility with be followed by others, including Terminal 4 at London Heathrow where Etihad will move to at the end of September 2009.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “The opening of the new Frankfurt lounge marks the beginning of a gradual roll out of Etihad lounges across the airline’s network which will all offer the same high quality look and feel. It also creates a consistent end-to-end travel experience for our premium customers, on the ground and in the air.”

The luxurious lounge opens three hours prior to the departure of Etihad Airways flights, giving passengers an ideal opportunity to relax in style and soak up a whole range of services and facilities.

The 275 square metre lounge can cater for up to 50 premium passengers in a relaxing setting, and is located opposite the gates most commonly used by Etihad for departure flights.

Baumgartner said: “This is a significant milestone in Etihad’s development and we are proud to be opening up this new lounge in Frankfurt which demonstrates another step forward in our commitment to deliver products and services which are of the highest possible standards.

Our new facility offers a luxurious lounge area in a truly superb environment that will provide Etihad’s premium customers with a range of entertainment options if they want them, or plenty of other ways to simply sit back and enjoy some relaxation prior to boarding their flight.”

Customers are offered five-star dining facilities in the lounge with a selection of foods from around the world all provided in the ‘live’ kitchen.

A modern timber panelled business centre provides individual workstations and privacy for those with laptops. A free of charge telephone can be utilised as well, offering free calls within the greater Frankfurt area.

Other features include a prayer room, a relaxing seating area, and there are luxurious bathroom and shower facilities for customers to freshen up in prior to departure.

Etihad Airways provides a complimentary limousine service for its first and business class passengers flying into and out of Frankfurt airport.

The launch of the premium lounge in Frankfurt follows the opening earlier this year of Etihad’s new passenger facilities and premium lounges at Terminal 3.