AIRLINES & ALLIANCES

Kenya Airways launches the Asante Lounge at Terminal 1C, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

The refurbished lounge, designed for comfort and convenience, aims to elevate the airport experience for passengers and reflect Kenya Airways' dedication to customer obsession.

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GLO

On Friday, 12 July 2024, Kenya Airways launched the Asante Lounge at Terminal 1C, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The event was presided over by our Group MD and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, Captain George Kamal, Chief Operating Officer of KQ, among others.

The refurbished lounge, designed for comfort and convenience, aims to elevate the airport experience for our esteemed passengers and reflect our dedication to customer obsession. The lounges, designed with African landscapes in mind, promise to provide comfort and exclusivity in a serene ambience. The spacious lounges were conceptualized after customer research was done to establish the exact flyer needs.  

Your lounge journey begins with a picturesque mural of a rain forest, with a caption of one of our very own forests: Kakamega Forest, located in Western Kenya. 

Business Experience Center

We commissioned two photographers to capture these stunning scenic pieces that emblazoned each space. 

As you walk through the Business Experience Center you encounter the lushness of the rain forest with green tones of the leaves and grey tones of the earth. The experience center is not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional to cater for the business traveler with counters fitted with the latest Samsung tabs, and an alcove seating fitted with universal sockets, fully complimented with high-speed Wi-Fi.

You then proceed through to the formal lounge with a transition from the rain forest to the coastal landscape with the introduction of purple and blue tones. This is exemplified in the fabrics on the Giada Lounger Seat, a designer seat, from Italy’s La Palma. In the dining area, we find the more formal seating arrangement and some playful banquette seating for those travelling in groups interested in seating together. In the coastal area, you encounter the sand, which is brought out in the textured walls, the tabletops, and the choice of floor tiles. The most amazing feature of this area is the honeycomb ceiling which introduces a touch of contemporary styled geometric shapes. The coastal theme is further enhanced by the blue and azure colors on the fabrics, the baskets on the walls reminiscent of the coast and the coral finish on the walls.  

The informal seating area is a continuation of the Savannah theme and is designed for the passenger who enjoys some peace and quiet. This is the only area that does not have a TV screen. Complete with its own snack bar, it offers serenity for those who probably just want to catch some light reading or relax with a drink. 

NappingArea

The napping area introduces us to the desert theme with the dune shapes on the carpet and the earth shades of the sleeper beds. The partitioning is reminiscent of the swaying grass of the Savannah and the textured walls, the desert sand. The smoking room with it’s iconic “Mvule” bench is a smooth transition of the desert theme. It offers high stool seating and entertainment for our guests who would like to catch a game over a well-aged drink and their best cigar or cigarette brand.

Simba lounge

Simba Lounge on the other end of the terminal is a celebration of the Africa heritage.  

The most prominent feature in this lounge being the “melting pot”, or the “Manyatta” resonant of the Maasai hut. This iconic feature speaks of the African spirit of community and sharing: where the indigenous people would meet at the fireside chat and tell stories of yore.  

As you move to the VVIP room, you realize there is an austere modernity with some light fusion of an African touch. The space is built to offer secluded privacy. Complete with fully fitted showers, the lounges promise to offer our guest a glimpse of our Africa and our true Pride as Kenya Airways.  

Simba Lounge is located on the second floor a few meters from the Central Search. Pride Lounge is located at on the second floor. The guests take the lift to the second floor next to gate 17. 

Purchase Lounge Access

In an effort to delight our Premium guests, Kenya Airways has introduced a product termed as ‘Pay Lounge Day pass.’ The guests will have an opportunity to invite and enjoy the company of friends, family, or colleagues. In turn, KQ will benefit from the extra revenue generated. The service will be sold as LOUN for lounge access in Altea Reservation. 

This service will strictly be sold and availed at the following lounges and ONLY sold at these Lounges.  

• Pride Lounge Terminal 1A– USD 40 Dollars 
• Simba Lounge Terminal 1A – USD 40 Dollars
• Msafiri Lounge Terminal 1D – USD 20 or its equivalent in Kenya Shillings depending on Rate of exchange per invited guest. Our Elite plus guests(Platinum and Gold) will pay a discounted rate of USD 10 or its equivalent in Kenya Shillings depending on Rate of exchange. 

The following are the acceptable forms of payment. 

• Credit cards/ Debit Cards – (VISA/Master cards/AMEX)  
• Cash – accepted currencies USD, Kenya Shillings, and Euros
• Direct Pay Online (DPO) 

Terms & Conditions

The following terms and conditions will apply for the guest to be eligible for access. 

• Guests travelling onKQ, Sky Team and KQ partner airlines can access the lounge at a fee subject to space availability.  
• Conditions of Admittance 
• Lounge admission shall be granted subject to availability.
• The lounge reserves the rights of Admission.
• The Day pass will be Valid for 4 Hours to flight departure.

• The lounge will be operational between 0500-0001hrs 
• The Lounge service once sold cannot be refunded.
• Pay Lounge Day pass is not transferable.
• Infants will have free access to the lounge (i.e. Aged below 2 years).

Source: Kenya Airways