What constitutes the best airport lounge in the world? While there is no official competition or measuring stick, below are a list of some of the most highly rated airport lounges from all over the world. Check out the worst airport lounges here.
Best airport lounges in the world: Tier 1
- The Qantas First Lounge at Sydney Airport – Known for its luxurious decor, world-class dining options, and impressive views of the airport.
- The Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport – Offers a private check-in area, spa treatments, and a variety of dining options.
- The Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport – Features a range of amenities including a spa, shower suites, and a variety of dining options.
- The Air France La Première Lounge at Charles de Gaulle Airport – Offers a range of services including private suites, spa treatments, and a fine dining restaurant.
- The Singapore Airlines Private Room at Changi Airport – Known for its exclusive and private atmosphere, with comfortable seating, a variety of food options and attentive service.
Best airport lounges in the world: Tier 2
- The Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport – Known for its luxurious decor, a wide variety of dining options, and impressive views of the airport.
- The United Club at San Francisco International Airport – Offers a range of amenities including comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge at Istanbul Ataturk Airport – Features a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The American Airlines Admirals Club at John F. Kennedy International Airport – Offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The SAS Lounge at Stockholm Arlanda Airport – Known for its modern design, comfortable seating, and a variety of food and drinks options.
Best airport lounges in the world: Tier 3
- The Plaza Premium Lounge at Heathrow Airport, London – Offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport – Known for its luxurious decor and a wide range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Etihad First Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport – Offers a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Toronto Pearson International Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Qatari Executive Lounge at Hamad International Airport, Doha – Features a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK Airport, New York – Offers a range of amenities including comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks option
- The Aspire Lounge at Manchester Airport, UK – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The American Express Centurion Lounge at Miami International Airport – Offers a range of amenities including comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Delta Sky Club at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Priority Pass Lounge at Narita International Airport, Tokyo – Offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Air France Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport – Offers a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The KLM Crown Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Swiss First Lounge at Zurich Airport – Offers a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The Alaska Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The American Express Lounge at Sydney Airport – Offers a range of amenities including comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Air New Zealand Lounge at Auckland Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Lufthansa Senator Lounge at Frankfurt Airport – Offers a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The Finnair Lounge at Helsinki Vantaa Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The British Airways Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 – Offers a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The Air India Maharaja Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
Best airport lounges in the world: Tier 4
- The Qantas International Business Lounge at Sydney Airport – Known for its luxurious decor and world-class dining options, as well as impressive views of the airport.
- The Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok – Offers a range of amenities including private shower rooms, a spa, and a variety of dining options.
- The Priority Pass Lounge at Heathrow Airport, London – Offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Delta Sky Club at JFK Airport, New York – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The American Airlines Admirals Club at Los Angeles International Airport – Offers a range of amenities including comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Emirates Business Lounge at Dubai International Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Air France La Première Lounge at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris – Offers a range of services including private suites, spa treatments, and a fine dining restaurant.
- The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge at Changi Airport – Known for its comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The United Club at Denver International Airport – Offers a range of amenities including comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drinks options.
- The Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport – Known for its luxurious decor, a wide variety of dining options, and impressive views of the airport.
When should you pay for airport lounge access? Here are the 5 times you should:
You should consider paying for airport lounge access if you value the amenities and services that the lounge offers and if it aligns with your budget. Some reasons you may want to consider paying for airport lounge access include:
- If you have a long layover: Airport lounges offer a comfortable place to relax, with amenities such as comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of food and drink options.
- If you want to avoid the crowds: Airport lounges provide a more exclusive and private atmosphere, away from the busy airport terminals.
- If you want to have access to exclusive amenities: Some lounges offer amenities such as private shower rooms, spa treatments, and fine dining restaurants.
- If you are a frequent traveler: Frequent travelers can purchase a membership to an airline or lounge network that gives access to multiple lounges across different airports.
- If you have a premium travel status: Some airlines offer access to their airport lounges as a benefit for their premium customers.
It’s worth noting that the cost for lounge access can vary depending on the lounge and how you access it. Some lounges may offer day passes, while others may require a membership or access through a premium travel status. Before paying for lounge access, it’s important to research the lounge and its amenities to determine if it’s worth the cost for you.
Can you sneak into an airport lounge in 2024?
It is technically possible to sneak into an airport lounge, but it is not legal and it is not advisable. Most airport lounges have strict security measures in place to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the lounge. Attempting to sneak into an airport lounge can result in being denied entry, being escorted out by security, or even facing legal charges. Additionally, many lounges have cameras and other security measures, so it would be hard to sneak in without being noticed. It’s important to follow the access requirements for each lounge and to be honest about your qualifications for entry. It’s always better to pay for the access or to check if there are other lounges that you can access.