Escape Lounges
Reinventing the executive airport lounge

5plus were appointed by MAG to develop and roll out a new business lounge concept at Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted Airports, the result – The Escape Lounge. The first Lounge was delivered at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 and opened in July 2010. This set the benchmark which has then been rolled out by 5plus at Manchester Terminal 3, East Midlands and Stansted.

As an alternative to many traditional executive lounges which are designed as corporate waiting rooms aimed solely at the business market, a key component of the Escape Lounge brand has been to create a space where both business and leisure passengers can: play, eat and drink, relax, study, read, meet in private or be entertained. Fundamentally, the lounge is intended to make flying enjoyable again.

In developing our concept for the Lounges, we also established the overarching corporate brand identity alongside brand guidelines for the future roll out to other airports. Key to the brand is the celebration of local heritage, materials, manufacturing and industry. For Manchester, the space promotes the infamous ‘Northern’ qualities in a sophisticated and refined manner.