Connecticut’s largest commercial airport has reopened its upscale, entrance fee-based passenger lounge after a months-long renovation, an amenity that launches as the airport nears the opening of a major concourse expansion.
The “Escape Lounge,” the only lounge at Bradley International Airport, closed last summer for renovations and reopened Wednesday for departing passengers, offering an expanded menu of food and drink, new seating and dedicated WiFi.
The renovations included an expansion of the seating area, a larger kitchen and bar and longer hours, from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, the airport said. Selections from the menu and other services are included in the upfront fee.
The cost per individual is $40 if booked in advance or $45 for walk-ups. Children under 3 are free. Access may be complimentary through an applicable credit card or travel membership.
The Escape Lounge is located in Bradley’s east concourse that contains gates 1-12.
Michael W. Shea, executive director and chief executive at the Connecticut Airport Authority, said the lounge — first opened in 2016 — said the lounge has been a popular destination since its initial opening. The authority oversees operations at Bradley.
“The expansion in size and offerings is a major upgrade to an already highly-regarded amenity and builds on the terminal-wide modernization and customer improvement efforts we have undertaken over the last year,” Shea said, in a release.
The lounge is operated by CAVU — a name taken from the aviation meteorology term “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited.” The term designates the perfect flying condition where the ceiling is more than 10,000 feet and the visibility is more than ten miles. CAVU operates 21 Escape Lounges at airports globally, according to its website.
The lounge opening comes at Bradley nears the opening of a major concourse expansion that is adding three gates. The concourse is part of $250 million in projects that include a now, up-and-running baggage checking and screening system, new exit stairwells to baggage claim and an expanded security checkpoint for departing passengers.
The improvements got underway in 2023 and was partially funded by $120 million in federal transportation grants, including from the federal infrastructure legislation. The balance will be paid for from airport revenue and passenger facility charges, up to $4.50 per passenger boarding an aircraft.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at [email protected].