This month, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines opened its newest 3,600 square foot lounge at George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s (IAH) Terminal D, after more than 50 years of serving the local region.

In 1957, the Dutch airline first began passenger service from Houston to Amsterdam from what was then known Houston Municipal Airport – now William P. Hobby Airport. Today, Hobby no longer offers international passenger service. KLM operates its 13 weekly flights to Amsterdam from George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The airline, which is now the oldest carrier in the world to be operating under its original name, struck a golden anniversary last year after more than 50 years of service to Houston and the local region. Each week, the carrier transports approximately 2,500 passengers through IAH.

Because of this considerable growth Jan Willem Smeulers, vice president for KLM North America, says the airline thought it was time to upgrade their previous, 20 year old lounge at Bush Intercontinental.

“I think we have a unique new opportunity here for our customers; a lounge that is up with the modern world,” said Smeulers. “I’m very pleased we can offer this to our clients at this moment, because we’re focusing on business clients and there’s a little bit of competition coming to Houston more, so we said we want to be there and offer the best kind of service and that’s what we’re doing here.”

As you walk into the automatic doors of the lounge, you are greeted by two KLM flight attendants, ready to assist you with your travel needs, an oversized lamp surrounded by a circle of bright red lounge chairs, plenty of seating and a full bar personify the fresh and modern feel of the new lounge.

Measuring out at 3,600 square feet, KLM’s new lounge nearly doubles the size of its previous 2,000 square foot facility at IAH.

More than 110 travelers can be accommodated at the new lounge, and what they will find will be a mixture of high-tech and courteous service.