Capital One is once again trying to disrupt the airport lounge experience with the launch of a new concept.
The issuer on Tuesday announced that it’ll debut a new type of airport lounge largely focused on delivering an elevated dining experience.
These lounges, which will be called Capital One Landings, will partner with the highly acclaimed José Andrés Group to curate the food and beverage options at each location. True to the group’s culinary heritage, these Landings will serve Spanish-style tapas.
The first two Landings will be located in two of the Northeast’s busiest airports: New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.
The 10,700-square-foot outpost in LGA will be located on the pedestrian bridge that connects the western concourse in the new Terminal B. It’ll feature both an indoor and outdoor lounge area, with expansive views of the New York skyline and the LGA apron, taxiways and runways in the distance.
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Meanwhile, the 5,483-square-foot DCA location will be located immediately post-security in Terminal 2, at the intersection of National Hall and Concourse D. Now that all of Terminal 2 is located airside, you’ll be able to access this Landing even if you’re flying from concourses B, C, D and E.
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Capital One was mum about when these first two Landings would open, saying no more than that they’ll open “in the not-so-distant future.”
Perhaps the issuer didn’t want to commit to a firm timeline and then end up delaying the opening, as it did with its upcoming lounges at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) that were originally supposed to open in 2022 and have now been delayed to early 2023.
While the issuer is making a splashy announcement, it doesn’t have all the details firmed up yet. For instance, no renderings were provided.
Additionally, access policies for cardholders aren’t yet available, nor has Capital One made a decision yet about guesting privileges.
In all likelihood, access to the Landings will likely mirror that of the recently opened Capital One Lounge in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). There, the $395-per-year Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes complimentary, unlimited access to the space for up to two guests per visit. Additional guests are $45 each.
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Cardholders with either a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business — cards that have a $95 annual fee — receive two complimentary visits annually and have access to a special entry rate of $45 per visit after that. Pricing for guests of Venture and Spark Miles cardholders is also $45 per visit.
Finally, the Capital One Lounge is open to any travelers outside those groups who want to pay a steeper entry rate of $65 per person.
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Capital One claims that these new Landings are “a completely new alternative to the traditional airport lounge.” The issuer says they’ll be unique in that they’re not too far from the gate, and they’ll offer “an elevated culinary-focused airport concept that will provide customers with the opportunity to enjoy amazing food and beverage just a short walk from the gate.”
Given the description, I’d expect these Landings to be focused on bistro areas with plenty of seating options for cardmembers to grab a quick bite to eat.
I wouldn’t expect a Peloton bike, nap pods or shower suites in these Landings — three top-notch amenities that you’ll find in the more extensive Capital One Lounge in DFW.
That said, it is interesting that the issuer is going with a dining concept at LGA and DCA. These two airports are some of the busiest with business travelers, many of which are likely just looking for a place to catch up on work and make calls in private.
As such, time will tell how the usage patterns evolve and whether business travelers just use these spaces as quiet places to finish a presentation or respond to some emails.
It’ll also be interesting to see where Capital One Landings pop up across the country.
Meanwhile, LaGuardia’s Terminal B is turning into the nation’s airport lounge capital. This new terminal is now home to a revamped American Airlines Admirals Club, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and United Club.
Plus, Terminal B features a signature American Express Centurion Lounge, and it’ll soon be home to a Chase Sapphire Lounge, too.
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That said, the views from the Capital One Landing are sure to be some of the best in the entire building. During TPG’s media tour of the new facility back in June 2020, terminal operator LaGuardia Gateway Partners showed off the outdoor space and promised to announce a tenant soon.
Well, more than two years later, we now know who’ll be moving into this spot.
