Best Airport Lounges - Comfort When Traveling

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Last Updated:Nov 02, 2023

Best Airport Lounges - Comfort When Traveling

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Traveling post pandemic has increasingly grown more chaotic between flight delays, rushing to catch connecting flights and last-minute cancellations. If you're preparing for a fun getaway or traveling for business, you may be spending more time in the airport than anticipated. If you're worried about spending several uncomfortable hours in an airport, finding out how to access airport lounges may be of interest. The good news is, you may have access to a lounge for free — particularly if you carry certain credit cards — but can also pay for lounge access to have a better airport experience when traveling.

Airport lounges may sound like a luxury service that isn't worth the price, but if you travel often — or often enough — and find yourself searching for a quiet corner to wait, lounge access benefits might outweigh the cost for a pass. In many cases, you can also purchase pass access for a single trip if you know you're going to have a long wait time at the airport.

But what exactly are airport lounges, how do they work, and what are the best lounges in the U.S.? We'll walk you through everything you need to know so you can opt for more relaxing travel plans.

Related: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards - Best Perks for Travelers

In this article

What are airport lounges?

Airport lounges are isolated spaces where members can rest while waiting for a flight. They're not available to the general public and may offer a respite from noisy airport waiting areas. They're generally less crowded, provide free accommodations, like food, drink, alcohol, and quieter, cozier environments. Every lounge offers different benefits — some are more modest, offering simply a quiet space to wait, while others provide top-tier hotel services like dining, cocktails, access to computers and customer service, comfy couches, kids' playrooms, and even spa treatments.

Some lounges are airline-branded, like United, Lufthansa, and Delta, while others are card-branded, like American Express and Capital One. You can also access lounges without loyalty to a particular airline or credit card by becoming a member or purchasing day passes. There are also different levels of lounges, with basic lounges available at many international airports and premier lounges available — often at a higher cost — at select airports.

Paying for lounge access may make sense if you spend a lot of time flying, know you'll be in an airport for a considerable amount of time, or want to treat yourself to a better travel experience.

How do I gain access to an airport lounge?

In most cases, airport lounges are services that you'll pay for in advance of your trip, though you can often purchase memberships or day passes on the day of travel. Flying first or business class can often gain you access to airport lounges, but you can also pay for yearly memberships to airport lounges. These memberships typically begin at upwards of $300 per year.

If you only need a lounge for one trip, many airports offer day passes that you can purchase to gain access to specific lounges. Third-party vendors like Priority Pass also offer different membership levels you can buy to use airport lounges, with varying service levels from dining to more private amenities.

Lastly, if you have certain credit cards, you may access an airport lounge as a cardholder membership perk. A few credit cards that offer this benefit include:

Capital One Venture X Rewards - offers access to Priority Pass and the Capital One Lounge
Chase Sapphire Reserve - offers access to Priority Pass and the Chase Sapphire Lounge
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite - offers access to Admirals Club
Citi Prestige - Offers access to Priority Pass
Mastercard Black Card - Offers access to Priority Pass
Mastercard Gold Card - Offers access to Priority Pass
The Platinum Card from American Express - Offers access to several lounges including, The Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Airspace lounges, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and more
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite - offers access to Priority Pass (four visits)

Some other credit cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards card, may also offer complimentary access to lounges for a specified number of visits. In addition, some cards with no annual fees may also gain you access to basic lounges.

The 9 best airport lounges in the U.S. for 2024

Now that you know what airport lounges are and how to gain entry to them, you might be interested in weeding out the cream of the crop. As mentioned, every lounge has its own offerings, but some go above and beyond to treat, relax, and entertain visitors.

Here are nine of the best airport lounges in the U.S.:

1. Virgin-Atlantic Clubhouse in New York - JFK

Located just past the TSA checkpoint in JFK, this airport lounge is one of the top waiting spots in the country. The Virgin-Atlantic Clubhouse is pristine and modern, with touches of glam in white and the signature Virgin red color scheme. The clubhouse offers various complementary services, from an a la carte dining menu with 5-star rated cuisine, signature cocktails, and an internet coffee bar and workspace.

Other accommodations include an entertainment zone with an iconic sweeping red ball sofa, pool table, and other games, showers so you can freshen up before boarding, and a secure luggage storage site to keep nonessentials safe while you're relaxing.

You can find the Virgin-Atlantic Clubhouse in JFK airport in the A-concourse, above gates A4 and A5.

2. American Airlines Flagship First Dining in Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York - JFK

While you can find many other American Airlines airport lounges across the country, the flagship locations in Dallas, LA, Miami, and NYC are the most exclusive, with more services and offerings. Enjoy expansive seating options, culinary delights, a specialty cocktail bar, personalized service, a top-tier wine table, and shower suites to help you refresh before boarding.

Guests are seated at their own individual tables and can order from a buffet or receive personalized wait service. Complimentary champagne is also offered. Lastly, you'll find business and working areas complete with charging stations in case you need to fire up your laptop or recharge your phone before takeoff.

3. American Express Centurion Lounges

Another top-level Amex airport lounge is its Centurion lounges, which will soon be located in over 40 different airports. These lounges offer different services and accommodations by location, but in general, guests can expect chef-quality dining, cocktails, wine and champagne, showers, and business lounges.

The Centurion Lounge in New York - JFK, for instance, has a speakeasy-style bar that will is so finely crafted, you'll forget you're in an airport. San Francisco's Centurion offers Napa Valley wine service, and the spot in Denver has a large assortment of craft beers. Local art, regional food, and seasonal drinks are staples at most of these lounges.

4. Delta Sky Club in Atlanta

The Delta Sky Club lounge in Georgia's Atlanta airport has two lounge options. First, visit the scenic lounge in Concourse F with an expansive sky deck, allowing you to view the skyline and planes taking off as you enjoy snacks and drinks. If you're not interested in the view, the flagship lounge in Concourse B may be more your style.

This flagship lounge offers an impressive wall of wine specially curated by the airport's sommelier, a variety of southern tapas from Atlanta Chef Linton Hopkins, and local art adorning the walls. There's a large selection of comfortable seating, complimentary WiFi, and private shower suites for guests.

5. Oneworld Lounge - Los Angeles

This stunning lounge in LAX offers amenities galore — it even has a private lounge within the lounge for first-class passengers. The main business-class lounge offers over 400 seats in an atrium-style room flooded with natural sunlight. There's a large dining and buffet area with meals curated by Chef Neil Perry. There's also a cocktail bar, shower suites, an indoor fire pit, and shoe shine and shirt pressing services.

The more exclusive lounge for first-class travelers has an even more impressive menu also curated by Chef Perry, more seating, private VIP rooms, and more exclusive private shower suites.

You can find Oneworld Lounge airside in LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal on the fifth floor of the atrium.

6. British Airways Concorde Room - New York - JFK

If you have a taste for the finer things in life, you'll fit in well in this highly polished airport lounge that is simply dripping with luxury. The British Airways Concorde Room is adorned with lavish touches, including crystal chandeliers. It offers a full-service restaurant, a lounge with ample, comfortable seating, a private terrace with outside views of the airport, cocktails, and various other services for business and first-class travelers.

One unique feature that sets this lounge apart from others is its 15-minute complimentary Elemis Spa treatment service that guests can book to decompress before their next flight. This lounge offers a more peaceful experience than others for guests who like a quieter setting. You must be flying British Airways as a first or business class passenger for entry, though.

You can find the British Airways Concorde Room airside adjacent to Gate 1.

7. Star Alliance Lounge - Los Angeles

Another top-tier airport lounge at LAX is the Star Alliance Lounge. This luxury waiting area offers a balcony with seating that overlooks the terminal concourse, so you can view the hustle and bustle from above. Its main attraction? The stunning outdoor terrace and waterfall feature.

This lounge offers access to a library (complete with iPads) food buffet, cocktails and drinks, media room with sports games and news channels, areas for working, and private shower suites. Lounges are separated into first and business-class sections, with more selections and services available in the first-class lounge.

You can find the Star Alliance Lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

8. United Polaris Lounges in Washington, D.C. - Dulles

United Airlines offers exclusive lounges for business and first-class travel in select airports. Still, the location in Washington Dulles is particularly special, with its gorgeous white marble entryway and a stunning galaxy-like overhead lighting fixture.

This lounge offers several relaxation areas, with various seating and workstations. Multiple refreshment stations are located throughout the lounge and private phone booths and mini dining areas. The United Polaris in Washington has a gorgeous blue and gold bar area with signature cocktails, O'Neill painting, and a tiny library of books. It also has access to a dining buffet, separate restaurant seating, tarmac views, individual restrooms and shower areas, and sleep spaces.

The United Polaris Club in Chicago is also quite remarkable.

You can find the United Polaris Lounge in Washington DC next to Gate C18.

9. Etihad Lounge in New York - JFK

This show-stopping lounge offers a unique experience for business- and first-class passengers traveling through JFK. With sophisticated leather furniture, views of the tarmac, an extensive buffet, cocktails, and plenty of coffeehouse drinks, the Etihad is in a class all unto itself.

The standout feature at the Etihad is access to the REsidence Lounge, which provides you with your own personal apartment inside the Etihad Lounge. You'll receive a private room with two expansive sofas, a private dining area, a television, and an individual bathroom suite. A private prayer room also accompanies some suites. You all have white-glove butler service prepared to accommodate you during your stay.

You can find the Etihad Lounge in New York at JFK past security at Terminal 4.

Where are the best lounges?

Some of the most stunning airport lounges can be found in top cities like Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt, London, and Dubai. Still, in the U.S., some of the leading airport lounges are located in New York (primarily at JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. Other international airports in the U.S. have access to lounges, but waiting areas in top cities often offer the most impressive amenities.

Related: Best Airline Travel Cards – Earn Free Flights Faster

FAQs

Are airport lounges worth the cost?

This answer depends on your budget and traveling frequency. If you travel often and find yourself spending hours in crowded airports, a lounge might improve your quality of life by providing a comfortable relaxing environment with free food and drinks. If you travel often enough, the complimentary dining and drinks you receive may even outweigh the cost of membership. And, if you already pay for a credit card with lounge access, the real question to ask is whether or not it makes financial sense to pay an annual fee for this card. This answer will vary based on spending habits, income levels, and travel frequency.

How long can you stay in an airport lounge?

Each lounge has its own rules and limits, but you can stay in a lounge for 3 to 12 hours in most cases. These lounges are designed for short stays and not multiple days. If you need extra time in the lounge due to a flight cancellation or missed connection, talk to the staff in the lounge to find out how they can accommodate you.

Can I take a guest to an airport lounge?

Most passes allow you to bring at least one guest with you, but each lounge has its own rules regarding guest passes. Some memberships may even limit how many times you can bring a guest for free.

Are food and drinks free in airport lounges?

Food is typically always complimentary within an airport lounge. It's a benefit of your membership and part of where your yearly fees go. Drinks are often free, but some premium alcohol may cost you.

Is it possible to get free airport lounge access?

Yes, but you'll rarely gain free access to a luxury airport lounge. Some credit cards without annual fees may offer access to lounges that are private waiting areas with some complimentary snacks or drinks. If you want to gain access to a top-tier lounge, you'll need to pay in most cases — unless you are traveling with a friend who can get you in as their guest.

The bottom line

Airport lounges can offer a private oasis away from the crowded chaos of a busy airport, which can be particularly important during peak travel season, like the holidays. To get into an airport lounge, you'll often need to be affiliated with an airline, purchase a business or first-class ticket, pay a yearly membership, or have a credit card that offers lounge benefits. Sometimes, day passes are available for one-off lounge stays.

Every lounge offers its benefits and perks, but lounges in top-tier airports tend to offer the best amenities. These can range from five-star restaurant cuisine and bottle services to private apartments and spa treatments.

The top airports in the U.S. — mentioned on this list — all offer complimentary food, alcohol, work areas, showers, and additional services for travelers. Some of these lounges even offer more exclusive amenities and spaces for first-class travelers.

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Courtney Johnston is a freelance writer, specializing in finance, travel, and health. She has written for The Chicago Tribune, Benzinga, BestReviews, Mashvisor, Fundera, MoneyGeek, and The Culture Trip. She also teaches writing instruction at the University of Indianapolis. Courtney currently resides in Indianapolis.

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