Best Airport Lounges In The World

The best airport lounges redefine what it means to wait for your flight. There is a reason we always recommend staying at one if you are stuck on a long, long layover.

Some peace and quiet, food and drinks to munch on, and even a shower to refresh yourself - all for around $50 or even free if you gather enough miles and credits - what’s not to love about them?

This article will share with you the 8 best airport lounges in the world, from state-of-the-art amenities to exclusive spa treatments. Each place offers a unique charm and allure, and your well-being is their top priority. So, don't leave even a word to find your favourite!

The best airport lounges are a haven amidst airport chaos. Photo by Yakobchuk Olena - stock.adobe.com

1. British Airways’ Concorde Room

Location: Terminal 5, London Heathrow Airport

Opening Hours: 5 AM - 22: 30 PM

Who Can Access: 

• British Airways First Class passengers

• British Airways Executive Club Gold or Silver members travelling in First Class + 1 Guest

• Concorde Room card holders.

The Concorde Room is British Airways' most luxurious lounge. There was another one in Terminal 7 at New York’s JFK airport, but it was closed in 2022. Below is our explanation of why it has been known as one of the best airport lounges in the world. 

The lounge offers different areas to suit your preferences, including a small working area at the back, an inviting bar, a relaxing terrace with views over the concourse, and a delightful dining section.

Let us mention its impressive selection of wine, drinks, and champagne. Everyone will fall in love with Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle, super delicious champagne that will cost £175 per bottle.

The Forty Winks sleeping pods are also a great option. They are "dedicated EnergyPod" napping areas for travellers trying to combat jet lag. You can customise the timing to fit your needs, or press the one-touch start button for a 20-minute power nap.

2. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Location: 

• London Heathrow Terminal 3

• Boston Logan Terminal E

• Newark Liberty Terminal B

• New York JFK Terminal 4 

• Washington Dulles Terminal A

• San Francisco Terminal A

• Johannesburg OR Tambo Terminal A.

Opening hours: 7 AM - 10: 30 AM & 15: 30 AM - 23: 30 AM

Who Can Access:

• Upper-Class passengers

• Flying Club Gold/Blue Platinum members

• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS travellers

• Virgin Australia Velocity Club Gold or Platinum travellers

• Delta SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion members on a Virgin Atlantic/Delta flight from the UK.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges are a testament to luxury travel,  making them some of the best airport lounges in the world. 

From the Boston Logan International Airport lounge's Brasserie Restaurant and cosy library to the San Francisco International Airport lounge's California cool design and wine bar, each lounge offers a unique experience that caters to the needs of its guests. 

The London Heathrow Airport lounge is particularly noteworthy thanks to it five-star hotel quality. The Revivals Lounge in Terminal 3 of London Heathrow Airport offers a refreshing experience upon landing, with power showers and a freshly cooked breakfast ready whenever you are. 

Meanwhile, at the O. R. Tambo International Airport lounge, you can enjoy locally-inspired complimentary meals and South African wines. With charging stations, Wi-Fi access, shower facilities, and exclusive access to eligible guests, the lounges bring a unique experience for any passengers.

With the right credit card, you can enjoy many airport lounges for free. Photo by Viacheslav Yakobchuk - stock.adobe.com

3. Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai

Location: Concourses A, Concourse B, C & Gates C at Dubai International Airport

Opening Hours: 24 hours

Who Can Access:

• Emirates First Class passengers

• Skywards Platinum members

• For business class: $150 for an entrance ($125 if you are a Skywards member)

• For economy class: $300 for an entrance ($250 if you are a Skywards member).

Let us mention the Emirates First Class Lounge among the best airport lounges worldwide! Spanning over 100,000 square feet, it is so vast that there are maps to guide guests to various amenities and areas.

We highly recommend the A La Carte restaurant dining experience. The breakfast menu offers scrumptious traditional Western and Emirati choices and an all-day section for those who have flown from different time zones.

For those transiting from 11:00 am onwards, a comprehensive lunch/dinner menu is available, featuring dishes such as pan-seared scallops and slow-cooked beef short-rib. The quality of the food is exceptional, and it's clear that the chefs take great pride in their work.

The lounge also offers an impressive range of beverages, including Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut and a self-serve bar with a dazzling range of spirits. While the Business Class lounge features a wider range of champagne options, the selection in the First Class lounge is still excellent.

The on-site Timeless Spa is a real highlight, offering a range of treatments and massages. The 15-minute complementary treatments are a great touch, and the De-Stress back massage was particularly effective in relieving tension. The bathrooms are well-maintained, with an attendant to keep each cubicle clean after use. 

4. Air France La Première Lounge

Location: Concourse K, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Opening hours: 5: 30 AM - 23: 30 PM

Who can access: 

• Air France La Première passengers

• For Business Class: €500 (only if your flight and all Air France routes for your destination lack a first class cabin).

Air France La Première Lounge is the best airport lounge on earth. The lounge offers a range of seating areas, including armchairs with soft leather, suede, and textile fabrics, booth seating, and ottomans, as well as a small seating area near the elevators with a table and a few armchairs.

The dining experience in the La Première cabin is unforgettable, with a menu that reads like that of a high-end French restaurant. You can enjoy an extensive range of culinary delights, including French cheeses and Monte Carlo-style Baba, plated tableside and served in a beautiful silver, domed tureen.

We also recommend the Relaxation room, where the atmosphere is quieter and dimly lit. This area has many elegant leather loungers, perfect for a quick nap.

5. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge

Location: Opposite Gate 1, Istanbul International Airport

Opening hours: 24 hours

Who can access:

• Business Class passenger on international flights with any Miles & Smiles card types.

Let’s move on to the next candidate, Turkish Airlines Business Lounge. There are plenty of comfortable armchairs and sofas for you to relax. Also, private conference rooms are available for those needing a quiet workspace.

Moreover, you can have fun in the video game room and golf simulator. There is also a children's play area, so parents can take a break and let their kids run about while they wait for a flight.

And if you get hungry, don’t hesitate to try the various regional specialities. From salads and soups to Asian dishes and Turkish sweets, the self-serve buffets have it all. You may also get your grilled meats and sides from the several live cooking stations.

Soft drinks, juices, alcoholic drinks, and tea staffed with Gaggia espresso machines make up the drink selection. After enjoying the meal, you can use the marble-clad toilets and shower areas to get cleaned up before your journey. 

6. Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge

Location: Level 6, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport

Opening hours: 5: 30 AM - 12: 30 AM

Who can access:

• First Class passengers

• Oneworld Emerald members

• American Airlines Executive Platinum & American Airlines ConciergeKey member.

The Pier First Class Lounge, known as Cathay Pacific's crown jewel, reopens in July 2023. Once inside, the bustling world of Hong Kong seems to fade away, leaving you in a state of relaxation.

First, it offers plush velvet furniture, wooden furnishings, and elegant lighting that sets a calming tone throughout the space.  Additionally, you will find eight private day suites, a perfect place to relax. You can even receive a complimentary 15-minute massage to ease travel stress here. 

For those needing a refresh, the 14 shower suites are equipped with rainfall showers to ensure you leave feeling rejuvenated. When it comes to food and drink, they are in mini portions so you can try various of them.

A simple meal can be more comforting than you think when travelling. Photo by Joni - stock.adobe.com

7. Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge

Location: Level 3, Concourse E, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Opening hours: 24 hours

Who can access: Oman Air First & Business Class passenger

Note: The maximum stay is limited to 2.5 hours.

Discover the Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge, a true gem among the world's best airport lounges. While not as huge as some others, like the ones in Turkey and Singapore, it has a calming atmosphere with blue lighting.

The food selection is top-notch, offering cold and hot dishes, along with healthy options like fruits and veggies. Don't forget the wines and beers to enjoy too! The curry and chicken skewers are particularly delicious.

The lounge has different seating spaces, and the lounge bar area gives you a great view of the terrace with lots of natural light.

For First Class passengers, there's an awesome Spa collaboration with Shangri-la, where you can enjoy a free 30-minute treatment. But remember, the First Class Day room might not be as impressive as the Business Class one, which has more space and comfy lie-flat seats for better rest.

8. Etihad First Class Lounge

Location: Terminal 3, Abu Dhabi International Airport

Opening hours: 24 hours

Who can access:

• Etihad First Class passengers 

• Etihad Guest Platinum members 

• For Economy & Business Class: $150 - $180 for an entrance.

Step into the Etihad First Class Lounge, and you will be welcomed into the finest airport lounges worldwide. This spacious lounge spans a whopping 18,000 square feet, making it one of the largest first-class lounges around.

First, there is a chic dining area with elegant white tablecloths, exuding a restaurant-like vibe that's a rarity in airport lounges. Even though it's not the main bar, there's a bar close by with a great selection of wine and liquor.

But it doesn't end there. Self-care takes centre stage as well. You'll find a gym here, with exercise bikes and treadmills, allowing you to stay active and energised.

Final Word

To sum up, the best airport lounges in the world offer cosy retreats among all the travel hustle. From here, you can access a breath of fresh air, a delicious meal, and plenty of amenities to relax before taking a flight.

Have you experienced the comfort and luxury they provide? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to share this article with fellow travellers!

Ha Ngan