What Is An Airport Lounge?

A lounge at an airport is one of many facilities that are available for passengers. For selected passengers, airport lounges provide comforts beyond what is available in an airport terminal. These include more comfortable seating, quieter environments, and better access to customer service representatives. You may also find private meeting rooms, telephones, and wireless internet access, as well as other amenities that enhance passenger comforts such as free drinks, snacks, and magazines.

American Airlines Admirals Club opened in New York City’s La Guardia Airport in 1939. It was the first airport lounge. It was originally designed by C. R. Smith, then president of America.

Types of lounges

Lounges are offered by airlines to premium passengers. These include passengers flying first and business class with frequent flyer status and premium travel credit card members.

Major airlines have at least one lounge in each of their major airports. American (Admirals Club), Delta, and United (United Club), have dozens of lounges. Smaller airlines like Alaska Airlines (Alaska Lounge), tend to have a few lounges in their hubs and focus cities.

Lounge memberships are not sold by airlines outside of North America and Australia. Instead, lounge access is reserved for frequent flyers or passengers in premium cabins. A lounge member of one of the major alliances (Oneworld SkyTeam or Star Alliance) can have access to lounges at other members. Qantas Club membership gives you access to the Admirals Club lounges through a reciprocal agreement with American Airlines. A member of the United Club, or another Star Alliance member, can also access the lounges of Air Canada, and Air New Zealand.

However, it is not unusual for non-alliance members of the alliance to agree to each other’s use of lounges. Alaska Airlines has seven Alaska Lounges. However, members of the American Airlines Admirals Club have access. Alaska Lounge members can’t access lounges belonging to other Oneworld members like British Airways or Japan Airlines.

Many credit card companies have their own lounges that are available to cardholders. American Express has Centurion Lounges both in the United States and HKG. JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and Capital One announced plans to open lounges for cardholders.

Pay-per-use lounges

Private companies such as Airport Dimensions, Collinson Group, Aspire Lounges, Swissport, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Global Lounge Network also have generic pay-per-use lounges. These facilities, unlike airline lounges, are available to all travelers who use the airport. They can be used by anyone, regardless of their airline or class of flight. Some offer lifetime and yearly memberships, while others offer only day passes.

Lounges in first class on airlines

Many airlines offer the first-class lounge to top-tier and international passengers. First-class lounges tend to be more exclusive than business class and offer more amenities than match the European/Asian concept. First-class passengers can use the business lounge in certain cases, except when it is only available in the business class lounge. Anyone with access to the first-class lounge almost automatically has access to the business class lounge, even if the traveling companion is not first class. Most airlines offer first-class passengers free access to their airport club. Some airlines offer “arrival lounges” where passengers can shower, rest and eat after long-haul international flights.

Lounge access

There are many ways to gain access to airport lounges. Access to airport lounges is possible in Australia, Canada, the United States, and Europe by purchasing an annual membership or a lifetime membership. This is not common in Asia and Europe. For elite members of a frequent flyer program, membership fees may be discounted and can often be paid with miles. Some high-end credit cards that are associated with airlines or lounge networks, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Delta Reserve credit cards and the United MileagePlus Club credit card, offer Priority Pass membership and access to lounges for as long as the card is in use. You can visit Indonesia airport lounge using your lounge access.

An airline status card is a good option to gain lounge access. This is very common in Europe. Many airlines offer indonesia airport lounge access for frequent flyers at the highest levels. This is usually available to those who travel in any class on any partner airline. Usually, the cardholder must book one of the carrier’s flights within 24 hours. Many airlines offer lounge access for free to any passenger in their premium cabins (first or business class) during their days of travel. In North America, this is typically only available to transcontinental or intercontinental passengers.

Anyone can access pay-per-use lounges, regardless of flight class or airline. They offer additional benefits if you book directly with them, rather than through a reseller.

Collinson’s Priority Pass and Go Simply are independent programs that offer access to select airline lounges. You can get Collinson’s Priority Pass offers access paying an annual fee. LoungePass, Holiday Extras, and LoungePass offer pay-per-use access and/or pre-bookable access, respectively, without the need for membership. Members can enjoy lounge access with premium credit cards and charge cards like Diners Club International American Express Platinum and Centurion Cards. ABN Amro, HSBC, and other banks offer premium clients access to lounges. American Express offers lounge access for Priority Pass clients and is adding new lounges to its portfolio.

Amenities

Indonesia airport lounge offer more comfortable seating and complimentary non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. They also provide light snacks like fruit, bread, and pastries. Almost all domestic lounges in the United States and Canada offer an open bar for domestic beer and house wine, as well liquor. Premium beverages like imported beer, top-shelf liquor, and high-end wines, as well as champagne, are available in the United States.

Other amenities include televisions, newspapers, and magazines, as well as flight information monitors and TVs. Business centers also offer desks, photocopiers, fax services, and internet workstations. Common amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access for patrons.

Lounges in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East can be very luxurious. They offer a premium open bar, full hot or cold buffet meals, and cigar rooms. There are also spa and massage services. Some lounges offer pool tables as an amenity.