21 AirportImprovement.com July | August 2026 CONCESSIONS DFW centralized platform. “Our goal is to be a solution and an asset and a partner to the airports,” Bélanger explains. Strong Early Response Although the lounges in Terminal D are still relatively new, Bélanger reports that early feedback from airline partners and travelers has been positive. “It’s only been…six weeks,” Bélanger said in early April. “Great, great returns.” International travelers, in particular, appreciate the elevated service environment being offered to their premium customers, he says. “They feel that their clients are treated special.” Reactions from guests—especially international traveler—are similarly exceeding expectations, Bélanger adds. “They are really thrilled to see the services that we’re providing.” Gathering Intel As the first Plaza Premium First Lounge in the United States, the DFW facility will provide guidance for more North American locations. Formal post-opening reviews gather information to evaluate operational successes, identify challenges and refine future strategies. “Any good company needs to go through that so we can learn from good or bad,” remarks Bélanger. One strategy already deemed successful was phasing the openings. Rather than immediately granting access to all eligible travelers, Plaza Premium Group initially limited entry to select airline customers. This allowed the company to test operations, finish staff training and identify service gaps before scaling up further. “We wanted to make a good impression,” Bélanger explains. “You only get one shot of making the right impression.” Measured rollouts allowed culinary teams, bartenders and front- line staff time to familiarize themselves with the new environment before larger crowds arrived. Looking ahead, the company plans to add more Plaza Premium First Lounges in North America. “We had opened Vancouver a couple years back, and now, with Dallas coming online, it’s also a standard for new ones that are going to be coming up in this part of the world,” Bélanger says, noting that a facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York is already in development. At DFW, the recent lounge openings dovetail with its ongoing $12 billion modernization program, DFW Forward. “Expanding premium offerings supports continued international growth and helps ensure we are delivering a best-in-class experience at scale,” Campbell concludes. Pittsburgh International Airport Terminal Modernization Program Allegheny County Airport Authority Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania DELIVERING SCALABLE AVIATION SOLUTIONS FOR AIRPORTS, OPERATORS AND DEVELOPERS MBAKERINTL.COM Engineering Architecture Strategic Consulting & Planning Program Management Construction Management Environmental Digital Solutions
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