Latest news with #MilesAhead
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Accessibility platform company DevAlly closes €2m funding round
Irish accessibility compliance platform DevAlly has closed a €2 million funding round to help expand its business and grow its US presence. The pre-seed funding round was led by Miles Ahead, with participation from Enterprise Ireland , NDRC and prominent European angels. The company is targeting growth in the United States, with the funding used to expand its product and engineering team, growing to 15 people. 'DevAlly is redefining digital accessibility; this isn't just a compliance checklist – it's an end-to-end solution that empowers product teams to embed accessibility into design, development and culture,' said Miles Ahead's Luc Burgelman. 'That approach is what makes DevAlly so powerful: it enables intuitive, inclusive digital experiences across all devices. The company has tremendous potential to become a global leading player in this field.' READ MORE DevAlly, which was cofounded by Cormac Chisolm, Patrick Guiney-Fox and Darren Britton last year, has developed an AI-driven compliance management platform designed to make it easy for businesses to incorporate accessibility into their products as they are building them, assess how accessible their product is and identify what steps they need to take to be compliant with the European Accessibility Act. The act officially came into force on June 28, 2025 and sets standards for digital accessibility across the EU. Among the organisations it applies to are ecommerce platforms, banking apps, public sector websites and hardware. Failure to comply with the act can lead to penalties including fines of up to €500,000, exclusion from public contracts, product bans or even criminal penalties in some jurisdictions. However, the majority of websites have some form of accessibility issue, recent reports have shown. DevAlly's platform helps businesses to audit and fix accessibility issues within minutes, detecting accessibility problems in digital products and providing guidance to help solve the issue. 'If your product isn't accessible, it's broken. Accessible products reach more people, reduce legal risk and strengthen your brand,' said Mr Chisholm, chief executive of DevAlly. 'As we make it effortless to build in, then suddenly you're not just compliant, you're ahead, creating products that don't just feel better, but perform better too. With this investment we're doubling down on great talent to help democratise accessibility once and for all.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Airport Lounges Are Sexy Again—If You Can Get In
Alex Green This story is part of The New Era of Work Travel, a collaboration between the editors of Condé Nast Traveler and WIRED to help you navigate the perks and pitfalls of the modern business trip. Let's be honest: A crowded airport lounge without a seat in sight is usually less appealing than an empty gate area. Over the past decade, an influx of travelers with club access has led to overcrowding, long waitlists, and a diminished (read: not luxurious) experience. However, a version of commercial air travel—often hidden from public view and inaccessible to even premium credit cardholders—has emerged. This more private, pre-flight experience is essential for the affluent business traveler, says Rob Karp, founder and CEO of travel consultancy firm MilesAhead. 'What we're seeing now is a correction: tiered access, differentiated spaces, and new incentives to spend or commit more to a particular airline,' Karp notes. Business travelers are looking to optimize time and minimize stress—and they're willing to pay for it. That means sitting down for a proper meal, taking a call in a quiet, uninterrupted setting, or even squeezing in a quick spa treatment before boarding. In the US, newer lounges that require an international business-class ticket for access, like the network of Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges, are delivering on that promise. Delta, for instance, offers an á la carte, bistro-like dining experience, soundproof phone booths, and even external monitors for focused work at each of its flagship business lounges. 'Each space is designed to balance comfort and luxury with practical efficiency,' says Claude Roussel, vice president of Delta Sky Club and lounge experience. For Aaron Kokoruz, a public relations executive who clocks nearly 100 flights per year, lounges like these are about crafting a moment of calm and comfort before boarding, regardless of whether you are hopping over to Omaha or flying halfway across the world. Kokoruz lists both the Qantas First Lounge at LAX (with a Neil Perry menu) and the Cathay Pacific First Lounge at London-Heathrow as personal favorites. 'My top priorities in a lounge are healthy and hearty food options, and a solid selection of cocktails and mocktails,' Kokoruz says. 'It's 2025—every great lounge should nail both.' 'The best spaces feel more like high-end hospitality than a pre-flight pit stop,' he adds. In order to cater to different tiers of travelers, both airlines and credit card companies have debuted new 'lounge-within-a-lounge' concepts—reservable, private spaces ideal for a power lunch or power nap. Last year, Air France introduced private suites within its already-exclusive La Première lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). These 500-square-foot sanctuaries are connected to the main first-class lounge and feature a spacious living area, a bedroom with a double bed, an outdoor patio, and a dedicated butler. Meanwhile, Chase's 'Reserve Suites,' private rooms with a personal attendant, include a welcome caviar service, á la carte dining, and an ensuite bathroom with Augustinus Bader amenities. The smallest suite, with a four-person capacity, costs $2,200. Beyond in-lounge amenities, easing airport stress for business travelers is about eliminating points of friction. Karp says that includes 'skipping the line to enter, accessing a private security checkpoint, or avoiding crowds altogether.' In 2023, Delta Air Lines opened an exclusive check-in area at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for Delta One customers. Tucked away on the arrivals level, the 4,200-square-foot space not only offers white-glove assistance (hot towel, anyone?) but also a special TSA lane and direct access to the lounge upstairs. Several US airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, allow customers to book a VIP concierge (on a pay-per-use basis) who can meet you curbside, check your bags, secure lounge access, and even escort you to the gate. However, it's limited to certain hubs and is targeted to specific corporate customers. Then, there are the airport terminals that function more like private FBOs. Here, travelers can pay to bypass the entire commercial terminal, with perks like dedicated security, customs clearance, and being driven directly to or from the plane. PS (formerly called Private Suites) offers these amenities at both LAX and Atlanta (ATL). Instead of the congested entryway for pickups and dropoffs, travelers arrive at a separate facility across the airfield. 'We sit in a space that, until now, didn't really exist—the white space between commercial and private air travel,' says Amina Belouizdad Porter, CEO of PS. New openings for PS are set for Miami (MIA) and Dallas (DFW) in 2026. Karp believes this model will continue to grow, especially on this side of the Atlantic. 'Europe is ahead of the US in many ways when it comes to offering bespoke airport experiences,' he notes. 'I think we'll see more here, especially for travelers who are used to the control and calm of flying private.' Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide
WIRED
02-07-2025
- Business
- WIRED
Airport Lounges Are Sexy Again—if You Can Get In
Jul 2, 2025 11:00 AM The latest wave of premium airport lounges are harder to get into, but for big-spending business travelers, no amenity is off the table. Let's be honest: A crowded airport lounge without a seat in sight is usually less appealing than an empty gate area. Over the past decade, an influx of travelers with club access has led to overcrowding, long waitlists, and a diminished (read: not luxurious) experience. However, a version of commercial air travel—often hidden from public view and inaccessible to even premium credit cardholders—has emerged. This more private, pre-flight experience is essential for the affluent business traveler, says Rob Karp, founder and CEO of travel consultancy firm MilesAhead. 'What we're seeing now is a correction: tiered access, differentiated spaces, and new incentives to spend or commit more to a particular airline,' Karp notes. Business travelers are looking to optimize time and minimize stress—and they're willing to pay for it. That means sitting down for a proper meal, taking a call in a quiet, uninterrupted setting, or even squeezing in a quick spa treatment before boarding. The 'lounge-within-a-lounge' concept is taking off at airports across the US, providing business travelers with reservable, private spaces ideal for high-level meetings. ILLUSTRATION: Alex Green Differentiated Spaces In the US, newer lounges that require an international business-class ticket for access, like the network of Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges, are delivering on that promise. Delta, for instance, offers an á la carte, bistro-like dining experience, soundproof phone booths, and even external monitors for focused work at each of its flagship business lounges. 'Each space is designed to balance comfort and luxury with practical efficiency,' says Claude Roussel, vice president of Delta Sky Club and lounge experience. This story is part of The New Era of Work Travel , a collaboration between the editors of WIRED and Condé Nast Traveler to help you navigate the perks and pitfalls of the modern business trip. For Aaron Kokoruz, a public relations executive who clocks nearly 100 flights per year, lounges like these are about crafting a moment of calm and comfort before boarding, regardless of whether you are hopping over to Omaha or flying halfway across the world. Kokoruz lists both the Qantas First Lounge at LAX (with a Neil Perry menu) and the Cathay Pacific First Lounge at London-Heathrow as personal favorites. 'My top priorities in a lounge are healthy and hearty food options, and a solid selection of cocktails and mocktails,' Kokoruz says. 'It's 2025—every great lounge should nail both.' 'The best spaces feel more like high-end hospitality than a pre-flight pit stop,' he adds. In order to cater to different tiers of travelers, both airlines and credit card companies have debuted new 'lounge-within-a-lounge' concepts—reservable, private spaces ideal for a power lunch or power nap. Last year, Air France introduced private suites within its already-exclusive La Première lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). These 500-square-foot sanctuaries are connected to the main first-class lounge and feature a spacious living area, a bedroom with a double bed, an outdoor patio, and a dedicated butler. Meanwhile, Chase's 'Reserve Suites,' private rooms with a personal attendant, include a welcome caviar service, á la carte dining, and an ensuite bathroom with Augustinus Bader amenities. The smallest suite, with a four-person capacity, costs $2,200. The most exclusive airport lounges offer amenities beyond the physical lounge itself, from private TSA lanes to tarmac transfers. ILLUSTRATION: Alex Green Easing Airport Stress Beyond in-lounge amenities, easing airport stress for business travelers is about eliminating points of friction. Karp says that includes 'skipping the line to enter, accessing a private security checkpoint, or avoiding crowds altogether.' In 2023, Delta Air Lines opened an exclusive check-in area at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for Delta One customers. Tucked away on the arrivals level, the 4,200-square-foot space not only offers white-glove assistance (hot towel, anyone?) but also a special TSA lane and direct access to the lounge upstairs. Several US airlines, including American Airlines and United Airlines, allow customers to book a VIP concierge (on a pay-per-use basis) who can meet you curbside, check your bags, secure lounge access, and even escort you to the gate. However, it's limited to certain hubs and is targeted to specific corporate customers. Then, there are the airport terminals that function more like private FBOs. Here, travelers can pay to bypass the entire commercial terminal, with perks like dedicated security, customs clearance, and being driven directly to or from the plane. PS (formerly called Private Suites) offers these amenities at both LAX and Atlanta (ATL). Instead of the congested entryway for pickups and dropoffs, travelers arrive at a separate facility across the airfield. 'We sit in a space that, until now, didn't really exist—the white space between commercial and private air travel,' says Amina Belouizdad Porter, CEO of PS. New openings for PS are set for Miami (MIA) and Dallas (DFW) in 2026. Karp believes this model will continue to grow, especially on this side of the Atlantic. 'Europe is ahead of the US in many ways when it comes to offering bespoke airport experiences,' he notes. 'I think we'll see more here, especially for travelers who are used to the control and calm of flying private.'
Condé Nast Traveler
02-07-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Airport Lounges Are Sexy Again—If You Can Get In
Let's be honest: A crowded airport lounge without a seat in sight is usually less appealing than an empty gate area. Over the past decade, an influx of travelers with club access has led to overcrowding, long waitlists, and a diminished (read: not luxurious) experience. However, a version of commercial air travel—often hidden from public view and inaccessible to even premium credit cardholders—has emerged. This more private, pre-flight experience is essential for the affluent business traveler, says Rob Karp, founder and CEO of travel consultancy firm MilesAhead. 'What we're seeing now is a correction: tiered access, differentiated spaces, and new incentives to spend or commit more to a particular airline,' Karp notes. Business travelers are looking to optimize time and minimize stress—and they're willing to pay for it. That means sitting down for a proper meal, taking a call in a quiet, uninterrupted setting, or even squeezing in a quick spa treatment before boarding. The 'lounge-within-a-lounge' concept is taking off at airports across the US, providing business travelers with reservable, private spaces ideal for high-level meetings. Alex Green Differentiated spaces In the US, newer lounges that require an international business-class ticket for access, like the network of Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges, are delivering on that promise. Delta, for instance, offers an á la carte, bistro-like dining experience, soundproof phone booths, and even external monitors for focused work at each of its flagship business lounges. 'Each space is designed to balance comfort and luxury with practical efficiency,' says Claude Roussel, vice president of Delta Sky Club and lounge experience. For Aaron Kokoruz, a public relations executive who clocks nearly 100 flights per year, lounges like these are about crafting a moment of calm and comfort before boarding, regardless of whether you are hopping over to Omaha or flying halfway across the world. Kokoruz lists both the Qantas First Lounge at LAX (with a Neil Perry menu) and the Cathay Pacific First Lounge at London-Heathrow as personal favorites.
