World’s fastest airport check in named
The fastest airport check in in the world, plus the world’s best city and best new hotel, have been named at the prestigious Wallpaper Awards.
The accolade of fastest airport check in has gone to Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Wing at Heathrow, which opened in November 2007. The aim of the Upper Class Wing is to allow business class passengers to avoid queues at check in and security and shimmy from their limos through a dedicated security channel and straight into the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in just a few minutes.
“Since the Upper Class Wing opened in November our passengers have been bowled over by how quickly they can get through to our Clubhouse from arriving at the airport – so far we believe the record to be about three minutes,” says Virgin Atlantic chief executive, Steve Ridgway.
Wallpaper travel editor, Sara Henrichs, comments: “Virgin Atlantic has unveiled the fastest and most enjoyable check in we’ve experienced. Virgin Atlantic is definitely putting in the groundwork for returning to the days when flying was glamorous”.
The Wallpaper award for Best New Hotel was won by the Riva Lofts in Florence, Italy. “Each lofty, light-filled suite is a chic ensemble of heritage and modern pieces,” said the judges.
The other new hotels shortlisted were The Bowery in New York, Le Bellechasse in Paris, the Fasano Rio de Janeiro in Ipanema Beach, and the Haymarket in London.
In the Best City category the award went to Los Angeles. “It’s long been easy to knock LA, but a slow bounce-back began with the new millennium. House prices have gone through the roof and tourism is at record post-9/11 levels,” commented the judges.
The cities that just missed out on the award were Berlin, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Mumbai in India, and Tokyo in Japan.
Written by: Nick Purdom
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