LOOK: Etihad Airways opens world-class premium lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

• Etihad Airways First and Business Class Lounge Los Angeles demonstrates the airline’s ongoing commitment to the US and its premium guests on the West Coast
• Fine dining and superlative service offering - comparable to five-star hotels, restaurants and private members’ clubs across the world
• Bespoke signature cocktails and mocktails are created and served at striking sculptural showcase bar

Etihad Airways officially opened its new First and Business Class Lounge within the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Building on a growing global reputation for product innovation and development, the lounge reflects a commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences for First and Business Class guests departing on Etihad Airways’ daily EY170 Boeing 777 services from the US West Coast’s commercial and entertainment hub.

Together with Etihad Airways’ Premium Lounges in Washington, D.C., and New York’s JFK, the new First and Business Class Lounge Los Angeles is the airline’s third hospitality haven in the Americas, and the first on the US West Coast.

The new facility moves away from the normal conventions of airport lounge design, and features the same ‘Modern Arabian’ decorative elements which characterize Etihad Airways’ new international lounges. The décor draws inspiration from the geometric patterns found in the traditional and modern architecture of Abu Dhabi and its spectacular desert landscape.

Martin Drew, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Americas, said: “As a world-leading airline, Etihad Airways continues to redefine travel, setting new benchmarks for innovative service on the ground and in the air.”

“Our new First and Business Class Lounge in Los Angeles demonstrates our unwavering commitment to travelers on the US West Coast, and in the United States as a whole, by providing them with the intuitive hospitality they have come to expect from our people and our brand. It gives us great pleasure to inaugurate this facility.”

"LAWA and our airline partners are committed to continuing our initiatives to transform and modernize LAX into a world-class airport that Angelenos and visitors deserve,” said Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “We applaud Etihad Airways in bringing this exciting, new premium lounge experience that truly caters to the modern traveler.”

More akin to top hotels, fine dining establishments and private members’ clubs, the new lounge provides a tranquil environment in which guests can relax, re-energize, be entertained, and enjoy the finest culinary experiences and hospitality services for which the airline is renowned. The space features luxuriously appointed seating, an à la carte dining area, showcase bar, TV area, shower facilities, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, multi-zone electrical and USB power outlets, and a selection of international magazines and daily newspapers. A separate VIP area can also be made available when required.

Conveniently located airside, overlooking the renovated terminal’s exclusive shopping promenade and measuring 407m2, the Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge Los Angeles is open for the exclusive use of Etihad First Class and Business Class guests, Etihad Guest Platinum, Gold and Silver members flying on EY170, and Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airlines’ equivalent Platinum and Gold members.

‎The new Los Angeles facility adds to the airline’s expanding collection of 15 Premium Lounges including Abu Dhabi (new dedicated signature First Class Lounge and Spa in Terminal 3; Premium Lounges in Terminals 1 and 3; a Premium Lounge within the unique US Preclearance facility, and the Premium Arrivals Lounge), Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Washington D.C., New York JFK, Sydney and Melbourne.

Etihad Airways commenced daily non-stop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on July 1, 2014. In addition, the airline offers daily services between Abu Dhabi and Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. (IAD), as well as twice-daily services to New York (JFK) and three-times-weekly services to Dallas/Fort Worth.

About the Etihad Airways First and Business Class Lounge Los Angeles

Guests are welcomed by a team of reception and lounge staff, waiters and bar tenders – all of whom have undergone a rigorous selection process and hospitality training.

Superior dining options are served à la carte and buffet-style in an exclusive dining area. Menus are changed frequently and feature a choice of dishes inspired by the flavors of California, the Middle East and around the world. Cuisine is prepared on-site by a team of highly skilled chefs, using fresh local, sustainably and ethically sourced seasonal produce. An accompanying wine list has been carefully chosen to match the culinary offering and includes a selection of fine Californian and European labels.

The sculptural showcase bar, which is now a striking hallmark of Etihad Airways’ new collection of global lounges, features ten leather bar stools with USB power points adjacent to each, and is stocked with 75 premium spirits, champagne and aperitifs.

A bespoke cocktail and mocktail menu has been specially developed in partnership with leading London-based beverage consultancy Fluid Movement. The signature cocktail drink is the Los Angeles, inspired by the city’s strong Latin influences and made with Tequila and homemade rice milk, spiced and enriched with cocao nib and chili liqueur, finished off with a spiced, cotton candy highball, made using the lounge’s own cotton candy machine.

All cocktails and mocktails featured on the menu are specially created, one-of-a-kind, and have been named after Etihad Airways’ leading destinations, including Abu Dhabi, New York, Melbourne, Shanghai, Paris, Mumbai, Sydney and London. Using ingredients inspired by these cities, the cocktails and mocktails are hand-created by specially trained mixologists, using home-made syrups and garnishes. The bar also offers a selection of ‘modern classics’, such as the Mach 10 Mojito. Negroni lovers will be delighted to know their favorite aperitif is mixed, barreled and aged behind the bar.

About Fluid Movement

Fluid Movement was established in 2009, as a London-based beverage consultancy and events company. Its founders’ goal was to provide innovative and experiential drinking experiences to their clients, the likes of which had never been seen before.

Since then, Fluid Movement has conducted consultancy, training and events in more than 30 countries worldwide. They have also opened four of their own award-winning venues in London (Purl in 2010, Whistling Shop in 2011, Dach & Sons in 2012, Surfside in 2014, and Black Rock in 2016). They have made a positive impact on cocktail culture globally, most notably through pioneering the ‘modern-speakeasy’ concept and their innovative and forward-thinking approach to cocktails.

Fluid Movement, led by Tristan Stephenson and Thomas Aske – two of the founding members – continue to operate the Worship Street Whistling Shop in London (World’s Fifty best bars 2011 & 2012), Surf-Side Cafe & Bar in Cornwall (Times Top 50 alfresco Dining 2015 #1) as well as working on a wide range of projects including brand development, restaurant and bar consultancy, drinks research and seminars.
Fluid Movement’s partnership with Etihad Airways began in November 2015 ahead of the opening of the airline’s Premium Lounge at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport.

Given a brief to develop a one-of-a kind cocktail menu exclusive to Etihad Airways Premium Lounges, the team at Fluid Movement created a selection of cocktails and mocktails inspired by cutting-edge drinking trends and intercontinental flavors. These bespoke and exclusive beverages are made using freshly prepared syrups, flavored salts dried flowers, dehydrated fruit and garnishes such as handmade candy floss.

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