The SilverKris Lounge, a pre-flight sanctuary
Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, Brisbane International Airport
LOCATION
Brisbane, Australia
VENUE
Airport Lounge
TREND
Self Service Buffet
MAPPING
Food & Beverage
Pre-flight sanctuary
Have you experienced the frantic airport rush? It can be a very stressful time and the thought of missing the plane can get the better of us. So its inevitable that we quickly dodge the traffic at curb-side drop off, navigate baggage check in pandemonium, get undressed and redressed at security and then there is rush to the gate if you are running late! For the lucky few there are ways to escape the terminal calamity and find calm. Teachers may not normally consider visiting an airline lounge as a way to update your teacher currency, but that shouldn’t stop you from thinking of this as an option to broaden your knowledge and observe a different version of hospitality. Let me introduce you to Singapore Airline’s SilverKris lounge.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES SILVERKRIS LOUNGE
32 Airport Drive
Brisbane International Airport
LOCATION
Located airside of Brisbane’s International terminal, the lounge is a short escalator ride to the mezzanine level where the Singapore Airlines International Business lounge shares the precinct with Air New Zealand and new comer “Escape Lounges”.
Unlike normal hospitality establishments, the lounge operates in short blocks of time to coordinate with departing aircraft. This makes for a different style of planning, allowing managers to organise orders and staffing around short windows of time through out the day. I found these periods to be quite busy as passengers escaped the terminal and took the opportunity to have a meal or beverage. Once boarding commenced the lounge emptied fast. This provided a unique opportunity for staff to give the lounge a refresh, the bathrooms were given a deep clean, the carpets were vacuumed, floors mopped, and the buffet cleaned and refreshed for the next departing flight.
"Lounge access entitlements at each airport are limited to the immediate departing Singapore Airlines or StarAlliance flight"
Singapore Airlines
A quiet escape from the terminal hustle
The sanctuary of the lounge is a welcome privilege for frequent flyers that offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of an airport terminal.
Most global airlines offer lounge access to their high flyers who attain a certain level of airline status through flying.
Members of Singapore Airline’s Kris Flyer program with Gold Status and above, as well as those flying business class, have access to Singapore Airlines global lounge network.
Throne chairs
The lounge manager explained to me that these large luxury throne chairs as they are known cost Singapore Airlines over $3000 each.
Private workstations
Common to airline lounges these work cocoon style stations provide a quiet screened lounge chair and table for work.
Lounge choices
Various arm chairs and seating was available to choose from. When I visit an airline lounge I feel like I need to try them all.
The taste of Singapore in Brisbane
Operationally this lounge was well organised and managed. The lounge serviced all three meal periods, there was a constant supply delicious dishes throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lounge Manager explained the majority of food was made fresh on site, including their signature curries that oozed kefir lime and cardamon. Hot dishes were prepared in small quantities to avoid food drying out. The chef would replenish chafing dishes regularly to maintain freshness. Other savoury foods, desserts and breakfast items were portioned in "bite" size to reduce waste as all guests were going to be fed again in flight.
Singapore Airlines in flight crockery
Delicious spring rolls
Mini fresh fruit and muesli bowls
Spicy Singaporean chicken curry
House made sushi and wraps
Bite size sweet treats
THAT WAS JUST impressive!
The kitchen team was truly amazing. Chefs have a roster spanning from before dawn to after midnight. Although there was some overlap between shifts, generally only one chef was rostered on at a given time.
The kitchen footprint was tiny. A very small "L" shape passage was the only space available for the chef to produce everything from breakfast muffins and eggs at breakfast, through to a range of finger foods, curries, cakes and cookies, for lunch and dinner. The quantity, freshness and quality of food was amazing.
The bar is always open
The lounge offered full bar facilities that included, a selection of spirits, red and white wines along with sparkling wine. In this case the bubbles on offer was Tasmanian Mumm. The bar was presented in a buffet style, so guests could pour their own wine or build their own spirit at any time. A large fridge sat adjacent to the buffet that housed the wine and a selection of beers, soft drinks and tonics. The bar was accessible to guests during all service periods, so if a flyer wanted a gin and tonic at 6.30am the bar was open and ready.
Lounge services
When it comes to bathrooms, airport lounges go beyond normal bathrooms. Lounges are known for offering shower pods where guests can refresh while in transit or before their flight. The size of the Brisbane lounge restricts this option so one bathroom provides shower facilities.
Have you noticed how thin the Courier Mail has become? Newspapers appear to becoming a thing of the past. Singapore Airlines offers newspapers online for lounge guests. A simple QR takes guests to an e-library of newspaper sources. Free lounge WI-FI id also available.
Stephen's Take
The Singapore Airlines Business Lounge is a small but intimate lounge with loads of natural light and views to the tarmac and gate 81 where Singapore Airline’s aircraft normally park. The lounge is quiet and offers fresh home baked food with a Singaporean influence. The service is friendly and unobtrusive, and guests can always get a barista made coffee, or access the self-service bar throughout the day. This lounge certainly is a sanctuary for Singapore Airlines passengers as they peer down to the masses below.
Stephen
Unit of Competency Mapping
Serve food and beverage
Provide advice on food
Source and use information on the hospitality industry
Please note; the purpose of this article is to introduce current hospitality trends. The content broadly applies to the units of competency listed. It is not intended that all content in this article maps directly to all performance evidence and knowledge evidence in the unit of competency.
Teacher Resources
For further information please take advantage of the following documents and website links!
Singapore Airlines Lounge Directory
Article and photos original by Stephen Duncan