Japan Airlines (JAL) reopened the international Sakura Lounge at Chubu Centrair International Airport on March 31, after being closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. In addition to a significant renovation, the lounge now offers an expanded hot meal menu in the dining area, featuring “JAL’s Special Original Beef Curry,” available outside Haneda and Narita airports for the first time.
This marks the first large-scale renovation since it opened in February 2005. The interior reflects the “Modern Japanese” concept found in the international Sakura Lounges at Haneda and Narita airports. The walls and floors predominantly feature wood, and a large sakura art piece adorns the reception wall. The lounge spans approximately 530 square meters and offers 128 seats, including sofas and counter seating. It also has phone booths, a smoking room, a VIP room, and baggage lockers.
In the dining area, the menu has been significantly enhanced thanks to a pantry upgrade. Local dishes known as “Nagoya Meshi,” such as hitsumabushi, kishimen, and an-butter pancakes, are also available.
The lounge operates from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Entry is granted to premium class passengers of JAL international flights and elite members of the JAL Mileage Bank. Those without entry eligibility can access the lounge for a fee of 8,250 yen, including tax, if they are traveling on a JAL international flight.
Despite plans to reopen all domestic and international Sakura Lounges following the pandemic, reopening at Chubu Centrair International Airport took approximately five years. Junko Sakihara, Deputy General Manager of JAL’s Customer Experience Department, explained that “the recovery of international flights in the Chubu region was slow, and we carefully considered the timing of the reopening based on the number of flights and demand trends.” Due to the lounge’s 20-year history, “extensive renovations were necessary, along with an enriched dining menu, which took time to accomplish,” she added.
With the reopening of the Sakura Lounge, the “Centrair Global Lounge” operated by Chubu Centrair International Airport closed on March 31.
▲Hitsumabushi served at the International Sakura Lounge at Chubu Centrair International Airport
▲Kishimen served at the International Sakura Lounge at Chubu Centrair International Airport
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