With airlines packing more premium seats on aircraft, and making a greater push for frequent flyers through loyalty programs, airport lounges are becoming more of a focal point for flyers.
A small oasis away from the hustle and bustle of busy airports where passengers can get some work done, have some food that is marginally better than the airport cardboard food and overpriced options and even a nice beverage. For frequent flyers, lounges can be an important part of their flying experience, and everyone seems to be getting in on the game.
Lufthansa’s first class terminal at Frankfurt comes equipped with a cigar lounge for passengers
Passengers don’t have to just be flying in First or business class to enter many lounges now. There are lots of pay-to-enter lounges and various perks with credit cards such as American Express that even have Centurion Lounges in the USA now for Premium Amex card holders. In addition to this there are annual subscriptions to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass that afford access to thousands of lounges around the world.
The bar at Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse inside London Heathrow terminal 3
However, not all lounges were made the same. Many of them can be overcrowded and overpriced, and therefore there are certain lounges around the world that stand out as being truly exception, offering gourmet dining, premium drinks and even massages along with sleeping pods before flights.
Here are some of the best airport lounges across the world, although for many of these, you will have to be flying in First class to be able to enter them.
British Airways Concorde Room – London Heathrow
The exclusive Concorde Room at London Heathrow, accessible to British Airways passengers travelling … [+]
Exclusively for First Class passengers, this extensive lounge brings together British tradition which feels like a luxury living room complete with beautifully crafted sofas and even fireplaces. Exquisite restaurant quality food and Elemis massage treatments are available in this incredible oasis at one of the world’s busiest airports.
The Private Room – Singapore Airlines, Singapore Changi
The ultra-exclusive Private Room at Singapore Changi airport is a substantial upgrade from the … [+]
Reserved exclusively for passengers flying on First Class on Singapore Airlines only, passengers will certainly always be guaranteed to get more than just a vacant seat here. This is more of a lounge within a lounge, and if you would like additional privacy passengers can even ask for a private room in the lounge. Showers and a-la-carte dining options add to the opulence that can be washed down with Dom Perignon vintage 2009 champagne in what is one of the best lounges in the world.
Lufthansa First Class Terminal – Frankfurt, Germany
One of the bar areas in the Lufthansa first class terminal at Frankfurt
An entire terminal dedicated to an exclusive and private First class experience. The experience starts with a personal meet and greet and goes all the way to being driven right to the aircraft from the lounge in your own private Porsche. The lounge even has a cigar lounge!
Qantas First Class Lounge – Sydney, Australia
An image of Qantas’ flagship first class lounge at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
In terms of lounge aesthetics and features, the Qantas First class lounge isn’t anything over the top or spectacular. It has fantastic views of the A380s lining up below at the terminal but most importantly, the actual quality of the food and beverages are what makes this lounge great. If does feel like you are sat in a restaurant before boarding your flight with an extensive food selection and table service.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – London Heathrow
Virgin Atlantic’s London Heathrow Clubhouse – The Gallery. Complete with a barber shop and great … [+]
Although I think that the Virgin Atlantic ‘Upper Class’ experience leaves a lot to be desired on the majority of their fleet, the lounge at London Heathrow is a very impressive space. Charcuterie and cheese stations in addition to even having a barber shop for a quick trim brings together the ‘cool’ Virgin brand pre-flight.
Cathay Pacific The Wing/Pier Lounges – Hong Kong International Airport
Media preview of Cathay Pacific’s the Pier new first class lounge at the Hong Kong International … [+]
Two different lounges arranged over multiple floors at Cathay Pacific’s hub. Fantastic showers and treatment sections of the lounge complement food in the first class section being catered by the Peninsula hotel.
Emirates First Class Lounge – Dubai
Inside the Emirates Dubai First class lounge in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The lounge has a huge … [+]
This lounge is simply huge, occupying almost the entire top floor of the terminal. I was actually fairly underwhelmed by the lounge and the aesthetics when I visited, but the big selling point for the Emirates First Class lounge was the incredible variation of food options. You name it, they will likely have it. Beverages and food options come and go with variation throughout the day so who knows what you might find in this lounge.
