Today, marks a special day for South African Airways (SAA). We are delighted to announce the opening of the new international lounge at OR Tambo International Airport.  Our commitment to offering customers exceptional services both in the air and on the ground, is revealed by the recent upgrades to our world-class airport lounges, called, The Lounge.

The opening of the OR Tambo International Premium lounge is the first part of renovations of all lounges, operated by SAA. The First-Class Platinum lounge at OR Tambo International will be renovated early 2024, to be followed by refurbishments of Qheberha, Cape Town, OR Tambo Domestic and Durban lounges.

In partnership with Discovery, and Investec, The Lounge features upgraded comforts where guests can connect, or be connected ahead of their travels, and boasts all-new contemporary design furniture and fittings as well as a carefully curated local art collection. Guests have the option to be seated with a view over the airport ramp or work in one of the focus booths or simply relax in a quiet zone. The space has been carefully planned should you wish to extend your meeting in our conference rooms or have a separate space to relax with the family.

A buffet dining menu is on offer throughout the day satisfying all palates. The new bar is a show masterpiece from which trained baristas & mixologists will offer a coffee of your choice, a selection of cocktails and mocktails or a choice of the finest South African wines and bubbly.

Most notably, state-of-the-art La Marzocco coffee machines, often referred to as the “Ferrari” of coffee machines. Sourced from Florence, Italy, the La Marzocco coffee machines form part of a heritage brand dating back to 1927 and are the pinnacle in coffee craftsmanship.

To better serve our guests with the ultimate coffee experience, the SAA Lounge team has undergone specialised training focused on brewing techniques and creating various kinds of coffee – all with an emphasis on harnessing the flavour of the different blends available to suit their individual tastes and preferences.

Much attention has been placed on providing travellers with unparalleled experiences and increasing our focus on the customer experience, made possible by our partners Discovery and Investec in transforming our lounges.You may also be interested in:  SFO elevates its emergency response capabilities with the launch of Text-to-911 service.

By offering a truly exceptional lounge experience that boasts the very best of what South Africa, and the African continent, have on offer, SAA is confident that we will be recognised not only for our pursuit of excellence in the skies, but the overall customer experience on the ground as well.

The Lounge will help us achieve our vision of once again taking our rightful place as one of the leading airline carriers in the world.