Airport lounge

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An airport lounge in the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport Sala Dali - Rincon del Vino (5657319902).jpg
An airport lounge in the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport

An airport lounge is a facility operated at many airports. Airport lounges offer, for selected passengers, comforts beyond those afforded in the airport terminal, such as more comfortable seating, [1] [2] quieter environments, and better access to customer service representatives. Other accommodations may include private meeting rooms, telephones, [1] wireless internet access [1] [2] and other business services, along with provisions to enhance passenger comfort, such as free drinks, snacks, magazines, and showers. [1] [2]

Contents

The American Airlines Admirals Club was the first airport lounge when it opened at New York City's La Guardia Airport, in 1939. Then AA president, C. R. Smith, conceived it as a promotional tool. [3]

Types

Airline lounges

A standard SAS business lounge at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Finland HEL SK Business Lounge general overview.jpg
A standard SAS business lounge at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Finland

Airlines operate airline lounges as a service to premium passengers, usually passengers flying first class and business class, with high level frequent flyer status, and premium travel credit card memberships.

Most major carriers have one or more lounges in their hubs and focus cities as well as in the major airports they serve. The major US airlines—American (Admirals Club), Delta (Delta Sky Club), and United (United Club)—operate dozens of lounges, while smaller airlines like Alaska Airlines (Alaska Lounge) tend to only operate a handful of lounges in their hub and focus cities.

Airlines outside of Australia and North America generally do not sell lounge memberships, and instead reserve lounge access exclusively for very frequent flyers and passengers in premium cabins. However, a passenger who has a lounge membership in an airline in one of the three major airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance) may have access to the lounges of the other members of that alliance. For example, Qantas Club membership provides access to the Admirals Club lounges due to a reciprocal arrangement with American Airlines; similarly, a member of the United Club or other Star Alliance members can access lounges of Air Canada and Air New Zealand.

It is, however, not uncommon for non-alliance members to agree individually to allow usage of each other's lounges. For example, although Alaska Airlines operates just nine Alaska Lounges, [4] its members have access to American Airlines Admirals Club (and vice versa). While Alaska Airlines is now part of the Oneworld alliance, this arrangement predated their membership.

Several credit card companies offer their own branded lounges accessible to certain cardholders. American Express operates Centurion Lounges in the United States as well as HKG. JPMorgan Chase and Capital One have announced plans to open their own lounges for cardholders.

Pay-per-use lounges

Private companies, such as Airport Dimensions by Collinson Group, Aspire Lounges by Swissport, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Global Lounge Network, [5] also operate generic pay-per-use lounges. [2] In contrast to airline lounges, these facilities are open to any traveller traversing the airport, regardless of class of ticket or airline, subject to payment of a fee. [2] Most only offer day passes, but some also offer yearly and lifetime memberships. Access to the lounges can be booked via online platforms such as LoungeBuddy or, in limited cases, one-day passes can be purchased directly at the lounge entrance.

First class airline lounges

The Lufthansa First Class lounge at Frankfurt International Airport, Germany Fra lh firstterminal seating.jpg
The Lufthansa First Class lounge at Frankfurt International Airport, Germany
Delta Sky Club Lounge at the Narita International Airport Japan Delta Sky Club Lounge Narita.jpg
Delta Sky Club Lounge at the Narita International Airport Japan

For many airlines, a first class lounge will also be offered to international first class and top-tier passengers. First class lounges are usually more exclusive and will feature extra amenities over business class that are more in line with the European/Asian concept of an airport lounge. In the few cases where an amenity is offered only in the business class lounge, first class passengers are permitted to use the business lounge if they wish. In any case, anyone with first class lounge access almost automatically has access to the business class lounge—such as if a traveling companion is not in first class and cannot be brought into the first class lounge as a guest. In most cases, airlines will offer first class passengers a free pass to their standard airport club. Some airlines offer "arrival lounges" for passengers to shower, rest, and eat after a long-haul international flight. [6]

Access to lounges

Entrance to the Dan Lounge in Ben Gurion Airport, Israel. The Dan Lounge is accessible to passengers of various airlines, holders of various membership schemes, and paying passengers. Ben Gurion International Airport trqlyn dn1.JPG
Entrance to the Dan Lounge in Ben Gurion Airport, Israel. The Dan Lounge is accessible to passengers of various airlines, holders of various membership schemes, and paying passengers.

Access to airport lounges may be obtained in several ways. [7] In Australia, Canada, and the United States, a common method to gain access is by purchasing an annual or a lifetime membership, while in Asia and Europe this is usually impossible.[ citation needed ] Membership fees are sometimes discounted for elite members of an airline's frequent flyer program and may often be paid using miles. Certain high-end credit cards associated with an airline or lounge network, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Delta Reserve, and United MileagePlus Club credit cards, include membership to Priority Pass and associated lounge access for as long as one owns the card. [8]

Lounge access can also be attained with an airline status card, which is common in Europe. The top frequent-flyer levels often offer access to any of an airline's lounges or partner airlines' lounges, when traveling in any class of travel on any of the partner airlines (usually it is required for the cardholder to be booked on one of the carrier's flights within the next 24 hours). Most airlines also usually offer free lounge access to anyone in their premium cabins (first class or business class) on their days of travel; in North America this is usually only available to passengers on intercontinental or transcontinental flights.[ citation needed ]

Pay-per-use lounges can be accessed by anyone, irrespective of airline or flight class. Some offer further benefits[ clarification needed ] when booking directly with them rather than through a reseller.[ citation needed ]

Entrance to American Express Centurion Lounge at JFK NYC airport (2022) Entrance to American Express Centurion Lounge at JFK NYC airport (2022).jpg
Entrance to American Express Centurion Lounge at JFK NYC airport (2022)

Independent programs, such as Collinson's Priority Pass, offer access to selected airline lounges for an annual fee, while Go Simply, Holiday Extras, LoungePass, and some offerings by independent and airline lounge programs offer pay per use and/or prebookable access without need for membership. Premium credit and charge cards may also offer lounge programs for members. [9] [10] Some banks, like ABN Amro and HSBC, offer lounge access for premium clients. [11] American Express also offers access to lounges belonging to Priority Pass and is expanding its own line of lounges. [12]

Amenities

Computer work stations at the Asiana business class lounge at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea PUS Asiana 04.JPG
Computer work stations at the Asiana business class lounge at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea
Refreshments served at the Delta Sky Club Lounge in the Narita International Airport Refreshments at the Delta Sky Club Narita.jpg
Refreshments served at the Delta Sky Club Lounge in the Narita International Airport

Besides offering more comfortable seating, lounges usually provide complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks [1] such as fruit, cheese, soup, pastries and breakfast items.[ citation needed ] In the United States and Canada, nearly all domestic lounges offer an open bar for domestic beer, house wine and well liquor. In the United States, premium beverages such as imported beer, top-shelf liquor, high end wines and champagne are often available for purchase. [13] [14] In U.S. states where open bars are prohibited by law, non-premium beverages may be sold at a token rate (e.g. $1 per drink).[ citation needed ]

Other amenities typically include flight information monitors, televisions, newspapers, and magazines, [1] plus business centers with desks, internet workstations, telephones, [1] photocopiers and fax services.[ citation needed ] Complimentary wireless Internet access for patrons is also common. [2] [15]

In Asia, Europe and the Middle East, lounges (especially those for first class passengers) can be quite luxurious, offering an extensive premium open bar, full hot and cold buffet meals, [2] cigar rooms, spa and massage services, fitness centers, private cabanas, [16] nap suites [2] and showers. [2] [17]

Some lounges have pool tables as amenities. [13] [18] Additionally, there are wireless charging stations in lounges, at some airports in London, installed by Nokia. [19]

Lounges in other modes of transport

Facilities similar to airport lounges can be found in large train stations (such as Amtrak's ClubAcela lounges or the DB Lounge offered by Deutsche Bahn), mainly for first-class inter-city rail, high-speed rail or night train passengers. In the case of Frankfurt Airport and Frankfurt Airport long-distance station both the airport and the train station serving it have lounges for their respective premium passengers. [20] Given that DB and Lufthansa offer combined air-rail alliance tickets, it is possible for the same ticket to qualify for lounge access in both. [21]

Related Research Articles

American Airlines is a major airline in the United States headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. It is the largest airline in the world when measured by scheduled passengers carried, revenue passenger mile, and daily flights. American, together with its regional partners and affiliates, operates an extensive international and domestic network with almost 6,800 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in 48 countries. American Airlines is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance. Regional service is operated by independent and subsidiary carriers under the brand name American Eagle.

Qantas Airways Limited, or simply Qantas, is the flag carrier of Australia, and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and Oceania. A founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, it is the only airline in the world that flies to all seven continents, with it operating flights to Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America and South America from its hubs in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. It also flies to over 60 domestic destinations across Australia.

Delta Air Lines is a major airline in the United States headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the United States' oldest operating airline and the seventh-oldest operating worldwide. Delta, along with its subsidiaries and regional affiliates, including Delta Connection, operates over 5,400 flights daily and serves 325 destinations in 52 countries on six continents. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. As of the end of 2023, it had 100,000 employees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frequent-flyer program</span> Airline loyalty program

A frequent-flyer programme (FFP) is a loyalty program offered by an airline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First class travel</span> Luxury seating and service on a passenger transport system

First class is the most luxurious and most expensive travel class of seats and service on a train, passenger ship, airplane, bus, or other system of transport. Compared to business class and economy class, it offers the best service and most comfortable accommodation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Alliance</span> Airline alliance

Star Alliance is an airline alliance headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Founded on 14 May 1997, it was the world's first global airline alliance. As of April 2024, it is also the world's largest airline alliance by market share, holding 17.4%, compared to 13.7% for SkyTeam and 11.9% for Oneworld.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay, the airline was founded in 1941 and is the oldest operating commercial airline in Asia.

Virgin Australia is an Australian airline with the core features of a low-cost carrier along with some elements of a full-service airline. It is one of two active airlines to use the Virgin brand, as well as the larger by fleet size. It commenced services on 31 August 2000 as Virgin Blue, with two aircraft on a single route. It suddenly found itself becoming a major airline in Australia's domestic market after the collapse of Ansett Australia in September 2001. As of June 2024, the airline serves 33 Australian destinations with its Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737 Next Generation fleets from its hubs in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

EVA Airways Corporation is a Taiwanese international airline headquartered in Taoyuan City. It is one of the two largest airlines in Taiwan along with state-owned China Airlines. The privately owned airline operates passenger and dedicated cargo services to over 40 international destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe & North America. Its network fully consists of international routes, with no domestic routes. It is rated as a 5-star airline by Skytrax, and is the second largest airline based in Taiwan after China Airlines. EVA Air is headquartered at Taoyuan International Airport in Luzhu, Taoyuan City. The company slogan is "Sharing the World, Flying Together".

LATAM Airlines Chile, formerly known as LAN Chile and LAN Airlines, is a Chilean multinational airline based in Santiago and one of the founding companies of the LATAM Airlines Group, the largest airline holding company in Latin America. Its main hub is in the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago, with secondary hubs in São Paulo, Lima, Bogotá, Quito, Guayaquil and Asunción.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Business class</span> Class on airlines and rail lines

Business class is a travel class available on many commercial airlines and rail lines, known by brand names which vary, by airline or rail company. In the airline industry, it was originally intended as an intermediate level of service between economy class and first class, but many airlines now offer business class as the highest level of service, having eliminated first class seating. Business class is distinguished from other travel classes by the quality of seating, food, drinks, ground service and other amenities. In commercial aviation, full business class is usually denoted 'J' or 'C' with schedule flexibility, but can be many other letters depending on circumstances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boarding pass</span> Document provided to an air-travel passenger functioning as a ticket.

A boarding pass or boarding card is a document provided by an airline during airport check-in, giving a passenger permission to enter the restricted area of an airport and to board the airplane for a particular flight. At a minimum, it identifies the passenger, the flight number, the date, and scheduled time for departure. A boarding pass may also indicate details of the perks a passenger is entitled to and is thus presented at the entrance of such facilities to show eligibility.

KrisFlyer is the name given by Singapore Airlines to its frequent-flyer programme and airport lounges. The name is derived from the kris in the Singapore Airlines logo.

AiRUnion was a Russian airline alliance. It was the first airline alliance ever established in Russia. Member airlines and their affiliates enjoyed a high degree of co-operation in scheduling, ticketing, code sharing, flight transfer operations, frequent flyer program benefits, shared airport lounges, reducing costs, and sharing best practices. The airline and member carriers have since gone bankrupt in 2008. With government sponsorship, the alliance was planned to be resurrected as Rossiya as of 2008. However, this never took place.

Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier and largest airline of Belgium, based and headquartered at Brussels Airport. It operates to over 100 destinations in Europe, North America and Africa and also offers charter services, maintenance and crew training. It is a member of the Star Alliance as well as the International Air Transport Association. The airline's IATA code SN is inherited from its predecessors, Sabena and SN Brussels Airlines. Brussels Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group. The company slogan is ′You’re in good company′.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airport check-in</span> Process of being approved to board an airplane

Airport check-in is the process whereby an airline approves airplane passengers to board an airplane for a flight. Airlines typically use service counters found at airports for this process, and the check-in is normally handled by an airline itself or a handling agent working on behalf of an airline. Passengers usually hand over any baggage that they do not wish or are not allowed to carry in the aircraft's cabin and receive a boarding pass before they can proceed to board their aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premium economy class</span> Travel class offered on some airlines

Premium economy class, also known by brand names which vary by company, is a travel class offered on many airlines. It is usually positioned between standard economy class and business class in terms of price, comfort, and available amenities. On December 12, 1992, EVA Air introduced the Economy Deluxe Class on the inaugural flight of its first trans-Pacific route (TPE-LAX), becoming the first airline to offer this class of service. In some countries, this class has emerged as a response from governments and companies requiring economy class for travel done by staff, while still getting some benefits like airport priority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mileage Plan</span> Frequent-flyer program of Alaska Airlines

Mileage Plan is the frequent-flyer program of Alaska Airlines. Members accrue program "miles" by flying Alaska Airlines and partner-operated flights, using co-branded credit cards, and booking vacation and hotel packages, among other methods. Mileage Plan miles can be redeemed for award flights on Alaska Airlines and partner carriers and provide eligibility for elite status with Mileage Plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Club</span> Airport lounge of United Airlines

United Club is the airport lounge associated with United Airlines and its regional affiliates.

First class is a travel class on some passenger airliners intended to be more luxurious than business class, premium economy, and economy class. Originally all planes offered only one class of service, with a second class appearing first in 1955 when TWA introduced two different types of service on its Super Constellations.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Perkins, Ed (2 May 2013). "Airport lounges 101: Why to use them and how to get in". SmarterTravel.com. USA Today.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Airport Lounges". Sleeping in Airports.
  3. ↑ "Admirals Club History". American Airlines. Archived from the original on 2014-04-21.
  4. ↑ "Alaska Lounge Locations and Hours". Alaska Air.
  5. ↑ "Global Lounge". www.globalloungenetwork.com.
  6. ↑ "Arrivals lounges". British Airways. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Baskas, Harriet (21 July 2011). "More - and cheaper - ways to access airport lounges". USA Today.
  8. ↑ "Seven Ways to Score Airport Lounge Access". teechusells.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-08-24.
  9. ↑ Byalik, Yuri. "Best Credit Cards With Priority Pass Lounge Access Of February 2024". Forbes .
  10. ↑ Arnold, Curtis (16 October 2012). "Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access". Huffington Post .
  11. ↑ "How To Get Airport Lounge Access – The Ultimate Guide". AirTravelGenius.com. 5 July 2016.
  12. ↑ "American Express Centurion Lounge network expansion underway". loungereview.com. 22 May 2015.
  13. 1 2 Nancy Trejos (10 April 2012). "Airport lounges upgraded with new amenities, better food". USA Today.
  14. ↑ Baskas, Harriet (14 December 2013). "Best new airport amenities in 2013". USA Today.
  15. ↑ CNET Australia staff (31 May 2006). "Virgin Blue touts free Wi-Fi in airport lounge battle". CNET .
  16. ↑ "British Airways Concorde Lounge at London Heathrow". loungereview.com. 21 December 2019.
  17. ↑ Negroni, Christine (19 December 2011). "A Flat Bed, Not on the Plane". The New York Times.
  18. ↑ "Turkish Airlines Lounge Instanbul". loungereview.com. 3 March 2015.
  19. ↑ Dolcourt, Jessica (5 September 2012). "Nokia bringing wireless charging to Virgin, Coffee Bean". CNET.
  20. ↑ "DB Lounge" (in German). Deutsche Bahn.
  21. ↑ "Lufthansa Express Rail – verbindet Bahn und Flugzeug nahtlos" (in German). Lufthansa. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
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