Summary:
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport opens a new $6.3 million Escape Lounge in Concourse B, nearly five times larger than the original.
- The lounge features locally inspired design, four distinct zones, a horseshoe-shaped bar, chef’s table, and 106 additional seats.
- The upgraded lounge enhances passenger experience with curated food and beverage options, regional art, and panoramic airfield views.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – has opened a new Escape Lounge in Concourse B. The lounge represents a $6.3 million investment in the passenger experience.
The Escape Lounge has been part of CVG since 2019, growing in popularity alongside the airport’s sustained passenger growth. The new location spans 6,767 square feet, which is nearly five times larger than the original, and boasts one of the best views of the airfield at CVG. Developed in partnership with CAVU, the space is positioned near gate B12, above the Fifth Third Bank location in Concourse B.
“Our partnership with CAVU reflects exactly the kind of investment needed to deliver an exceptional customer experience,” said Larry Krauter, CEO of CVG Airport. “This lounge brings the character of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky into the airport in a way that is both beautiful and functional. We are proud of what this team delivered for our travellers and for this community.”
The new lounge introduces several firsts for the Escape Lounge brand, including the largest chef’s table in the entire Escape Lounge network and the brand’s first freestanding, horseshoe-shaped bar, designed to improve service flow and customer interaction. Hand-painted wallpaper, locally sourced guitars and banjos, and artwork by regional artists are designed to bring the light and bright space to life in a uniquely Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky way. Along the windows, travellers will find curated facts about CVG and the surrounding area.
The lounge’s design draws from the vibrancy of Cincinnati, the serenity of the Ohio River, the rhythm of Kentucky bluegrass music, and the spirit of regional craftsmanship. Four distinct zones anchor the experience: the Queen City Oasis, Riverbank Retreat, Bluegrass Backstage, and Maker’s Mark Workshop. Food and beverage offerings include a rotating menu of local and international flavours, including local companies such as Rhinegeist Brewery. The new lounge location adds 20 additional jobs and 106 new seats to CVG.
“We are grateful to CAVU for their commitment to CVG and to this region,” said Chad Summe, Chair of the Kenton County Airport Board. “This lounge is part of a broader strategy to modernise the Concourse and meet the needs of a growing passenger base. What CAVU has created here sets a new standard for the experience we want every traveller to have at CVG.”
Sydney Adams, Growth Manager, CAVU, commented: “We’re proud to open our brand-new, larger Escape Lounge at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, marking a milestone in our seven-year partnership with CVG and the growing passenger demand for premium lounges. This new space allows us to offer an elevated experience and an escape to remember for more travellers passing through the airport.”
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