AirKenya Opens New Luxury Passenger Lounge

“With Airkenya the Safari Experience Begins at the Airport!”

AirKenya, the pioneering premier safari airline in East Africa, has opened its newly refurbished luxury passenger lounge at Wilson Airport.

The exclusive lounge boasts three levels which offer ample comfortable seating space, with the upper lounge providing a spectacular view of Wilson Airport set against a backdrop of the Ngong Hills in the distance.

The design concept draws on Kenya's savannah landscapes with dense grass plains informing the layered natural textures and colours of acacia trees, cacti and fields of grass which, combined with wildlife photography introduce the savannah landscape of the safari ahead.

On arrival at the terminal you enter a modern, functional space designed with natural tones that echo a “Safari chic” theme. There is a fine display of craftsmanship, with sisal rope walls and beige canvas upholstered benches with a touch of leather creating a comfortable and relaxing space.

The main check-in area features a large wooden high table with a selection of sockets to charge your electrical devices and make use of free Wi-Fi. Here too, you will find the Banana Box Company, a high-quality in-house safari boutique with an array of hand-made crafts made by individual craftsmen and women that is also the outward display of a remarkable and fascinating social and environmental mission.

For over 30 years Banana Box, a reputable Kenyan brand, has sought to bring about positive change in the world by unlocking the potential of local artisans and communities whilst sourcing products made from sustainable and renewable materials, and foster a deeper appreciation of African art, culture and history.

In the lower lounge, the fascinating history of AirKenya and bygone days is displayed on the walls in black-andwhite pictures. There is also extra seating space, additional electrical sockets to charge your devices and modern washrooms, including one for persons living with disabilities and a baby-changing room.

On entering the upper lounge natural light pours through large windows stopped only by the translucent sisal rope wall, where on display is a superb array of large wall-mounted safari photography.

From the far end of the lounge, a familiar aroma of Kenyan coffee brings you to Brown’s Café whose partnership with Spring Valley Coffee for their beans, brewed alongside the only certified organic milk in Kenya or their fresh plant-based milk, showcases the very best the country has to offer.

Tea is also served, from green tea to black, handpicked herbal blends to soothing ginger and lemon.

Brown’s Café offers a full menu of organic snacks, breakfast and lunch. All food items are locally produced, with pastries like sourdough cinnamon rolls and gooseberry scones, granola and porridge made with Kenyan sorghum and millet, sandwiches featuring Brown’s award-winning cheeses and house sourdough bread, and small-batch soups and stews.

The comfortable seating area in the upper lounge, where you can rest, relax, eat or work, is divided into two. One has an array of beige canvas upholstered wooden lounge chairs made by Dumont in Kenya interspersed with stainless steel coffee tables, the other is decked with white cafe style wire dining chairs and tables by the Italian designer Pedrali. Ceiling-to-floor windows that run the length of the upper lounge give an expansive view of the airside and landscape beyond whilst the varnished wooden beams that form the frame of these large windows offer another touch of natural hue.

Captain Dino Bisleti, General Manager of AirKenya says this of the new passenger lounge: “We have undertaken a major refurbishment of our lounge at Wilson Airport to provide a better, more comfortable, and functional experience for our passengers who deserve the best quality of service both on the ground and in the air. We welcome passengers to enjoy their time in the lounge and wish them a memorable safari in East Africa. With AirKenya the safari experience begins at the airport!"