DENMARK. Menzies Aviation has unveiled its refurbished Pearl Lounge at Copenhagen Airport, marking a milestone in the company’s global premium lounge transformation strategy.
The new 800sq m facility opened today (1 May) following a three-month refurbishment programme. Some €2.7 million (US$3.17 million) was invested in the upgrade, positioning the lounge as the largest in the Menzies Aviation Pearl network.
The Moodie Davitt Report was the exclusive media present at a preview event on 30 April, which brought together senior leadership from both Menzies Aviation and Copenhagen Airport.
The Copenhagen project forms part of a broader, multi-year overhaul of Menzies Aviation’s Pearl Lounge portfolio, aimed at standardising quality while embedding local relevance across its 52 lounges in 18 countries.
Located airside control above gates C with sweeping views of the Copenhagen Airport airfield, the lounge accommodates more than 180 guests and introduces a zoned layout designed to balance capacity with comfort.
Facilities include dining and relaxation areas, workstations, a private meeting room and shower amenities.
The design language leans heavily into Nordic principles – minimalist, light-filled and material-driven – aligning with Copenhagen Airport’s broader ambition to create a sense of place within its commercial offering.
Food & beverage has also been upgraded, with a stronger emphasis on local sourcing, dietary inclusivity and sustainability, in line with Menzies Aviation’s ‘All In’ environmental strategy.
Speaking at the launch event, Copenhagen Airport Chief Commercial Officer Peter Krogsgaard commented: “This upgraded lounge sets a new benchmark for a true premium experience and is fully aligned with CPH’s strategy of delighting passengers across every touchpoint of their journey.
“We also appreciate the strong collaboration throughout the development process and value our long‑standing partnership with Menzies Aviation in bringing this vision to life.”
Menzies Aviation Senior Vice President Pearl Lounge Transformation Jo Harrison said, “Copenhagen Airport is a strategically important location within our European network, and refurbishing of our flagship Pearl Lounge forms part of our global lounge transformation project.
“Through targeted investment at Copenhagen and close collaboration with our airport partners, we have created a premium space that reflects the character of the destination while delivering the consistent comfort and quality our Pearl Lounge brand is known for.”
Expansion plans
In an interview with The Moodie Davitt Report, Harrison and Vice President Lounges Europe & Global Bid Support Giovanna Perucatti discussed the Pearl Lounge transformation programme and Menzies’ ambitions for lounge portfolio expansion.
Harrison described an “aggressive expansion plan” over the next three years, spanning refurbishment and new opportunities across multiple regions.
Recently completed and upcoming Pearl transformation projects include three lounges in Egypt (at airports in Hurghada, Luxor and Aswan), plus lounges in Mozambique, Rwanda, Bratislava and Naples.
On growth targets, Perucatti said: “The Middle East is somewhere that we’re looking for more lounge opportunities and we’re also focusing our attention now around the Americas. Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, for example, we think there’s great opportunity there.”
Harrison pointed to Menzies’ wider airport footprint as a key competitive advantage in seeking new lounge projects; as an aviation services provider, the company is already present in 350 airport locations across the globe.
“We have the fantastic relationships on the ground whether it’s with airports, whether it’s with airlines or other partners, so we are able to tap into that to keep building our lounge portfolio. We don’t have to start from scratch in these locations.”
Harrison also acknowledged intensifying competition, not only from established lounge operators but also new entrants. “We’re seeing other players coming into the market, the banks and fintech companies are really emerging and now there’s rumours of hotels wanting to move into the space as well. So the competition is fierce and evolving.”
Airport view
We also sat down with Copenhagen Airports Real Estate Director Peter Balling Teisen, to discuss lounge strategy at the airport. He noted the refurbished Pearl Lounge is part of a much wider repositioning of the airport’s premium offer – one that reflects both rising demand and shifting passenger expectations.
He framed lounges as a critical touchpoint rather than an ancillary service.
“We want to elevate the lounge experience. I want to bring the magic back so that the lounge experience really differs from what we offer in our terminals within food & beverage and retail.”
That ambition is being backed by substantial infrastructure expansion. Copenhagen Airport currently operates around 5,000sq m of space across five lounges, including one major facility for Denmark flag carrier Scandinavia Airlines and four common-use lounges.
Tiesen noted this footprint is set to increase to 7,500sq m within two years, a 50% expansion in space translating into roughly +70% more seating capacity.
The emphasis, however, is not purely on scale. “It’s very much working in zones… more flexible seating solutions so it’s more efficient without making it feel crowded,” Teisen explained.
This balance between capacity and comfort is becoming increasingly important as lounge usage grows. According to Tiesen, more than 10% of departing passengers at Copenhagen Airport now use lounges, equating to over 1.7 million annual visits.
Close collaboration
A key element of the Pearl project was close collaboration between airport and operator, particularly in ensuring the lounge reflects local identity.
Of the airport company’s partnership with Menzies Aviation, Tiesen said: “Menzies has proven to be a strong commercial partner at our airport, consistently delivering lounge experiences that create value for both passengers and the airport.
“Their focus on service quality, operational stability and guest satisfaction aligns perfectly with our ambition to continuously improve the passenger journey.”
Teisen emphasised that while Menzies controls the commercial model of the upgraded lounge, Copenhagen Airport played an active role in shaping the design narrative.
“We want to give that sense of place in our lounges, making you feel that you’re visiting Copenhagen and Scandinavia.”
This is evident in the Pearl Lounge’s use of Danish furniture, lighting and plant selections, alongside a muted, earthy colour palette characteristic of Nordic interiors.
The partnership approach also reflects a broader strategic alignment. As Copenhagen Airport expands – including a major 60,000sq m Terminal 3 development – Tiesen said the role of third-party lounge operators will grow substantially.
He revealed a new lounge facility is set to open soon in Terminal 3, to be operated by a soon-to-be-announced global player following a recent tender process.
Keep an eye on our channels for a wider feature on the Copenhagen Airport Pearl Lounge and Menzies Aviation’s Pearl transformation plan, coming soon. ✈
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Plus other hospitality-related platforms:
Excitingly, the long-established Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards will embrace Airport Hospitality World from the 2026 edition – the event’s 15th anniversary. The event will take on an extended form, featuring an exhibition and the ultimate one-stop airport hospitality and food & beverage conference and awards platform. |
