Escape the crowds this summer at O2’s new airport lounge

• O2 launches its new airport lounge at Gatwick North terminal today
• The O2 Roam Freely Lounge will be completely complimentary for all O2 and Virgin Media customers, and their travel companions, daily from 6am-3pm
• With free drinks, snacks and charging stations, the new lounge is the perfect place to take the stress out of the airport and help customers get into holiday mode before they board the plane
• The new lounge also features a Disney+ room sharing some of its favourite films for all the family to enjoy

10 August 2022, London: O2 has today launched the O2 Roam Freely Lounge – the network’s new airport lounge – at Gatwick’s North Terminal to mark O2 being the only major network provider to not bring back EU roaming fees.

The launch comes as new research* from O2 reveals that over half (54%) of travellers fear their flights will be cancelled as travel turmoil continues this summer. With one fifth of flights delayed in just the first three months of the year and this figure rising to a third in April**, the new lounge will give O2 and Virgin Media customers, and those travelling with them, a completely complimentary safe haven to kick off their holiday with a stress-free travel experience, whether or not they encounter flight delays.

Open from now until October, the lounge offers drinks and snacks alongside comfortable seating so customers can start their holiday in style before even boarding the plane. For those travelling for business, there are also plenty of work spaces to send some last-minute emails over the superfast free Wi-Fi.

Customers can use the Disney+ room with movies for everyone to enjoy and turn any delays into a world of entertainment. For those who want to keep streaming beyond the lounge, O2 also offers new and upgrading customers six months of Disney+ on O2.

Multiple charging points will also ensure that you can charge all of the family’s devices before boarding the plane. Plus, the lounge also offers a beach themed photo space so guests can snap and share holiday photos before they leave the UK.

Priority members across Virgin Media and O2 simply need to book their slot in the new lounge through the Priority app, and can take an adult and up to six children under 16 in with them as guests.

And, for those not travelling from Gatwick or worried about their outbound flight being delayed, O2 is offering free lounge access for Priority members and up to three travel companions at airports globally with SmartDelay, providing a place to relax if their flight is delayed by 60 minutes or more.

In addition to the O2 Roam Freely Lounge and SmartDelay perk, O2 has partnered with Holiday Extras to offer O2 and Virgin Media customers three months of hassle-free holiday savings via Priority, including discounts of up to 35% off airport parking and 15% off car hire, travel insurance, airport transfers and airport hotels so Priority members can pocket some savings ahead of their holiday.

To access these rewards, Virgin Media cable customers can simply download the Priority app via their relevant app store and register using the email address that is linked to their My Virgin Media account. Those on O2 can register using their mobile number.

Gareth Turpin, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2 said “We know there are a lot of stresses and costs that come with going abroad, especially at the moment, so we want to help our customers get back to what a holiday is really about – fun and relaxation. They shouldn’t have to wait until they land to start that holiday feeling and that’s why we’ve opened the O2 Roam Freely Lounge.

“Whether they’re travelling alone, with friends or as an extended family group, they can come to the lounge, unwind, have a drink and enjoy a range of entertainment for all ages.”

Those customers jetting off to the EU for their vacation can enjoy inclusive roaming up to 25GB with O2 being the only major network provider this year to not bring back EU roaming fees. This could help families save up to £100 over a two-week holiday*** by not having to pay for data roaming.

Visit https://www.o2.co.uk/for more information.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

*Research was conducted by Censuswide from 01.07.22 to 05.07.22 surveying 2,018 people in the UK who are going/have been on holiday this year.

**Statistics take from Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with additional analysis of  CAA’s April punctuality data from Wales Online

***Up to £100 saving based on a family of four paying £2 per day for data roaming while abroad for 12 days in Europe Zone.