{"id":763665,"date":"2024-03-27T12:58:47","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T10:58:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=763665"},"modified":"2024-03-27T12:58:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T10:58:53","slug":"saa-discovery-unveil-premium-lounge-elevating-travel-to-new-heights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/industry-news\/763665\/saa-discovery-unveil-premium-lounge-elevating-travel-to-new-heights\/","title":{"rendered":"SAA, Discovery unveil premium lounge: Elevating travel to new heights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>South African Airways (SAA) and Discovery recently unveiled the completion of a landmark refurbishment of their premium airport lounge, a first-of-its-kind at OR Tambo International Departures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This newly revitalised space is a cornerstone in realising their joint vision of providing exceptional luxury and convenience for travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovery.co.za\/bank\/the-lounge?utm_medium=Content_Marketing&amp;utm_source=content_marketing&amp;utm_campaign=saa_discovery_content%20piece&amp;utm_parameter1=broad_audience&amp;utm_content=the_lounge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here for more information about Discovery Bank<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Discovery Bank Purple, Black, and Platinum cardholders can now join&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flysaa.com\/?utm_medium=Content_Marketing&amp;utm_source=content_marketing&amp;utm_campaign=saa_discovery_content%20piece&amp;utm_parameter1=broad_audience&amp;utm_content=flysaa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SAA<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;Business class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members in accessing&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovery.co.za\/bank\/the-lounge?utm_medium=Content_Marketing&amp;utm_source=content_marketing&amp;utm_campaign=saa_discovery_content%20piece&amp;utm_parameter1=broad_audience&amp;utm_content=the_lounge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Lounge<\/a><\/strong>, and the airline\u2019s local flight network on the Vitality Travel platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUnderstanding that business and leisure travellers prioritise fast-track services, lounge access, and round-the-clock assistance, we\u2019ve meticulously integrated these elements into our Discovery Bank offerings,\u201d Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank, stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/test.mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/102164DBK_1600x800px-%CE%93Co-2-600x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-328076\" style=\"width:1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur goal is to ensure our clients\u2019 journeys are not only comfortable and convenient, but also enriched with these essential features as well as additional benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of The Lounge to the public, SAA\u2019s Chief Commercial Office, Tebogo Tsimane said: \u201cSouth African Airways recognises that for us to move forward, a private partnership is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo, this project becomes a template for all the other projects that SAA will embark on The only way we can turn around SAA into an profitable airline is to recognise that we can succeed with strong partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A fusion of elegant design, exceptional coffee, and inspiring art<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The premium pre-flight experience at OR Tambo International was co-created with interior architects at IHBAZA to accommodate different traveller profiles \u2013 whether it\u2019s businesspeople seeking a productive workspace, seasoned international tourists looking for a moment of relaxation and refreshment, or young families needing a space to connect or unwind as they wish for an unlimited amount of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lounge blends experience and interior design seamlessly \u2013 from the copper-clad concierge pods to mood-setting smart lighting, and aeronautical-inspired design elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A variety of thoughtfully laid out sections including focus booths, private suites, quiet meeting rooms and open-plan seating areas cater to every traveller\u2019s preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/test.mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/102164DBK_1600x800px-%CE%93Co-5-600x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-328077\" style=\"width:1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Guests are invited to embark on a delightful refreshment journey, where they can savour a buffet-style selection of dishes throughout the day, enjoy a five-star coffee experience from the newly imported La Marzocco espresso machines, and sip on expertly curated cocktails and mocktails on request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Art purveyors will be captivated by the collections of works by emerging and established artists selected by art curators to inspire and invigorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accessing the ultimate travel experience with Vitality Travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovery.co.za\/bank\/discovery-account?utm_medium=Content_Marketing&amp;utm_source=content_marketing&amp;utm_campaign=saa_discovery_content%20piece&amp;utm_parameter1=broad_audience&amp;utm_content=new_discovery_account\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new Discovery Account<\/a><\/strong>, all Discovery Bank clients and Vitality members have access to the Vitality Travel platform and all the benefits of discounted travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Discovery Bank Black and Purple cardholders enjoy added value with exclusive access to the Discovery Priority Fast Track at OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports, along with entry to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, through loungekey access. To gain access to The Lounge, members can conveniently&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovery.co.za\/bank\/the-lounge?adgroupid&amp;utm_medium=Content_Marketing&amp;utm_source=TikTok&amp;utm_campaign=saa_discovery_content%20piece&amp;utm_parameter1=broad_audience&amp;utm_content=discover_the_lounge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">generate a voucher directly in their Discovery Bank app<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/test.mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/102164DBK_1600x800px-%CE%93Co-4-600x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-328078\" style=\"width:1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A commitment to the future of travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A haven of luxury and comfort for the sophisticated traveller at the airport, The Lounge exemplifies the company\u2019s dedication to creating the ultimate travel experience using intuitive design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe refurbishment of our lounge marks a pivotal moment in our evolution, our vision of behavioural-driven design, and unwavering commitment to pioneering new standards in the travel industry,\u201d said Dinesh Govender, CEO of Discovery Vitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Lounge is more than just an airport lounge; it\u2019s a testament to our vision of behavioural-driven design that delights users at every touchpoint. Every aspect, from the opulent interiors and carefully selected art pieces to the exceptional food and beverage offering, is deliberately chosen to elevate the travel experience of our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By creating an environment that is intuitive, visually captivating, and bespoke, Discovery and SAA have not just elevated the pre-flight experience but have set a new standard for what an airport lounge can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEach Discovery business is driven by our core purpose to make people healthier and share value with our clients. This is reflected in Vitality Travel. Our vision is to make travelling, for any purpose, more accessible, enjoyable, and affordable \u2013 while in turn incentivising behaviours that are good for the individual and the Bank,\u201d Kallner added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/test.mybroadband.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/102164DBK_1600x800px-%CE%93Co-3-600x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-328079\" style=\"width:1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South African Airways (SAA) and Discovery recently unveiled the completion of a landmark refurbishment of their premium airport lounge, a first-of-its-kind at OR Tambo International Departures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":763669,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10459],"tags":[12923],"class_list":["post-763665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-news","tag-discovery-bank"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/763665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=763665"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/763665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":763689,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/763665\/revisions\/763689"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/763669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=763665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=763665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=763665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}