OREANDA-NEWS. Lufthansa’s First Class Lounge at Munich Airport has received the coveted International Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) in recognition of the outstanding quality offered to lounge customers by the airline. “The Munich lounge now ranks among the finest First Class Lounges worldwide,” the jury said, explaining its decision. Munich is the third Lufthansa First Class Lounge after Frankfurt and New York to win this top award. The AAHS is the only organisation to bestow five-star awards in the global travel and luxury segment.

“We are delighted to accept this award for excellent service. It recognises the success of our efforts to give our guests a unique sense of well-being and to make their stay in our First Class Lounge a memorable experience,” said Klaus Berger, Director Passenger Support Services. Accepting the prize with him was Oliver Barthelmeh, Managing Director LSG Sky Chefs Munich, who stressed: “We owe this award to the staff who, with their Bavarian warmth and charm, ensure the well-being of our guests.” Joseph Cinque, President and CEO of the AAHS, noted: “Lufthansa’s commitment to First Class service and its quality standards are more than impressive and are truly deserving of the International Five Star Diamond Award.”

The First Class Lounge at Munich Airport is the only Lufthansa lounge that can be accessed by customers on two levels. This means that it can be used by departing and arriving passengers as well as by passengers in transit. An integrated passport control also greatly enhances travel convenience. In addition, a limousine service is provided to take HON and First Class passengers to their aircraft as soon as it is positioned on the apron. The lounge has separate working and quiet areas, a cigar lounge and generously proportioned bathroom facilities, while the а la carte restaurant offers culinary specialities as well as a varied buffet service.

Over the coming months and years, Lufthansa will invest more than three billion euros in its customer service. The main focus will be on building new lounges, for example in the new Terminal 2 satellite facility at Munich. Further projects include installing the new First and Business Class cabins on board, the introduction of the new Premium Economy service on all long-haul flights, the integration of FlyNet (wireless inflight broadband connectivity) as well as the provision of services for children and their parents.

The AAHS was originally formed in 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. Forty years later, in 1989, it relocated its headquarters from Chicago to New York City, where it is still based today. The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is the only organisation to bestow awards for excellence in the worldwide luxury travel segment, and the International Five Star Diamond Award is the sole award that recognises top-notch service on a global level. The Academy has meanwhile expanded the breadth of its International Star Diamond Award beyond five-star hotels and restaurants to include holiday resorts, airlines, cruise lines, spas, golf clubs, holiday destinations and luxury products.