British Airways’ New Lounge Power Nap Pods

The updated ‘Forty Winks’ nap lounge, which features power nap sleep pods, was unveiled this week by British Airways as the airline’s latest lounge enhancement.

The new pods are now available in British Airways’ First Lounge at Heathrow Airport in London. When global travel restrictions ease and those lounges open, the airline will add these sleep pods to its Concorde Rooms at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York’s JFK Terminal 7.

The ‘Forty Winks’ lounge, which was created in collaboration with Restworks, helps customers in need of some pre-flight rest to take a power nap in a dedicated EnergyPod.

The EnergyPod is the first chair in the world built specifically for power napping. The EnergyPod is the premier nap pod for short rest in the office, thanks to its unusual combination of gravity neutral positioning and privacy visor. British Airways supports customer wellbeing and helps beat jetlag when on the run by offering nap pods for rest in its First and Concorde lounges.

The Heathrow First Class ‘Forty Winks’ lounge is free and self-service, so customers do not need to make a reservation. There are seven pods online, and customers can check whether one is available in real time using the ‘Your Menu’ lounge app.

This knowledge will also be shown outside the Forty Winks entrance on a tablet. Dettol hand sanitizer stations will be placed in the nap lounges, and Dettol antibacterial wipes will be used to keep the pod surfaces clean after each use, as part of the airline’s ongoing effort to keep customers and colleagues safe.

Customers may use the one-touch start button or set the timer on the EnergyPod to the desired length for a perfect pre-programmed 20-minute nap. The EnergyPod reclines to help you relax by elevating your feet. To shut out noise, the adjustable privacy visor can be swiveled into place.

The Restworks Mobile app can be used to download free audio content for use in the lounge and while traveling.

Customers will be able to book an EnergyPod via dedicated hosts, order a time to be woken up, and choose a hot beverage to enjoy after their rest when the Concorde Room opens. To add to the rejuvenating awakening experience, water and hot towels will be given.

“We can’t wait to welcome our customers back after a very tough year, and we’re always searching for fresh ideas to help our customers’ health and wellbeing pre-flight,” said Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience.

“In late 2019 we carried out a survey of over 100,000 lounge guests asking what they would like to see featured in our lounges. Sleep pods were right at the top of their list. Our ’Forty Winks’ nap lounges will offer a dedicated rejuvenation space for customers as they return to the skies, all self-serviced via the ‘Your Menu’ lounge app. Beating jetlag and catching a snooze on the go has never been easier!”

Restworks’ Global Managing Director, Christopher Lindholst, said: “Being able to rest while travelling is an important way to stay healthy and energised, and what better way to use your dwell time than to catch up on some sleep.  We are excited British Airways is making this important investment in customer wellbeing.”

The First lounge is now open to all lounge-eligible customers, offering Club World passengers the opportunity to try out the revolutionary new sleep pods.