With the introduction of a new concept, Capital One is attempting to upend the airport lounge experience once more.
The issuer revealed on Tuesday that it will introduce a novel kind of airport lounge that will primarily be dedicated to providing an improved eating experience.
The highly regarded José Andrés Group will work with these lounges, which will be dubbed Capital One Landings, to choose the cuisine and drink selections for each site.
These Landings will provide Spanish-inspired tapas in keeping with the group's gastronomic history.
LaGuardia Airport in New York and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, two of the busiest airports in the Northeast, will house the first two Landings.
On the pedestrian bridge that connects the western concourse of the new Terminal B, the 10,700-square-foot outpost in LGA will be situated.
It will have a lounge space with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as sweeping views of the LGA apron, taxiways, and runways in the distance.
The 5,483 square foot DCA facility will be found in Terminal 2 just after security, at the corner of National Hall and Concourse D.
You can now access this Landing even if you're traveling from concourses B, C, D, or E because Terminal 2 is now entirely airside.
When asked about the opening dates of these first two Landings, Capital One would only state that they would happen "in the not-too-distant future."
As it did with its upcoming lounges at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dulles International Airport (IAD), which were initially scheduled to open in 2022 but have now been delayed to early 2023, it's possible that the issuer didn't want to commit to a strict opening date and ended up pushing back the opening.
Although the issuer is making a big announcement, not all the specifics are yet set in stone.
For example, no renderings were offered.
In addition, Capital One has not yet decided on guesting privileges or made available access policies for cardholders.
There's a good chance that entry to the Landings will be similar to that of the recently inaugurated Capital One Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
There, up to two guests may come for free and without restrictions with the $395 annual Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Each extra visitor costs $45 extra.
Cardholders of the $95 annual fee Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business are entitled to two complimentary visits per year in addition to a reduced entrance rate of $45 per visit after that.
Guests of Venture and Spark Miles cardholders are charged a similar rate of $45 each visit.
Last but not least, anyone traveling outside of those groups who want to enter the Capital One Lounge at a steeper fee of $65 per person is welcome.
As "a wholly different alternative to the usual airport lounge," Capital One describes these new Landings.
According to the issuer, they will stand out because they are close to the gate and because they will deliver "an upgraded culinary-focused airport concept that will give consumers the option to enjoy outstanding food and beverage just a short walk from the gate."
Given the description, I would anticipate that these Landings will be mostly centered on bistro areas with lots of sitting options for cardholders to get a quick meal.
In these Landings, I wouldn't anticipate finding a Peloton cycle, nap pods, or shower suites—three excellent amenities that you'll find in the more spacious Capital One Lounge in DFW.
Having said that, it's intriguing that the issuer chose to implement a dining idea at LGA and DCA.
These two airports are among the busiest for business travelers, many of whom are likely just searching for a space to catch up on work and make calls in quiet.
It will therefore take time to see how usage patterns change and whether business travelers just use these areas as quiet rooms to finish a presentation or answer to emails.
Watching Capital One Landings spread across the nation will be interesting as well.
The nation's airport lounge capital is currently being established at LaGuardia's Terminal B.
American Airlines Admirals Club, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, and United Club have been renovated and are now located at this new terminal.
The American Express Centurion Lounge, which is exclusive to Terminal B, is also present there, and the Chase Sapphire Lounge will shortly join it.
The Capital One Landing, however, undoubtedly has some of the nicest views in the entire structure.
Terminal operator LaGuardia Gateway Partners displayed the outdoor space and promised to identify a tenant shortly during a media tour of the new building in June 2020.
Now that it has been more than two years, we know who will be relocating to this location.
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