Gallery: Airport Lounges Offer Respite For Weary Travelers

Delta Air Lines will debut “premium” lounges—a service level above existing Sky Club lounges—at three major US airports in 2024, including New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), as well as opening four new or expanded lounges in its network.

The JFK premium lounge, set to open in June, will become the largest lounge in Delta’s network, spanning 38,000 sq. ft., including a terrace. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will see a 10,000 sq. ft. Delta premium lounge open this year, while the third premium lounge will be opened by the airline at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), spanning 6,300 sq ft.

The BOS and LAX lounges are both set to open in the 2024 fourth quarter.
 

Plaza Premium Group (PPG) opened a lounge at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Situated in Terminal 1D, the 336 sq m lounge can seat up to 150 guests. PPG said the lounge is a “sanctuary for travelers exploring destinations beyond Africa. Step into the lavish embrace of African architecture within our uniquely themed space, showcasing a commitment to eco-friendly practices and sustainability initiatives. Serving as a harmonious blend of business and leisure, our lounge offers a tranquil area, providing you with the perfect retreat to rejuvenate before embarking on your upcoming adventures.”

Emirates Airline reopened its refreshed lounge at Brisbane Airport for first- and business-class travelers, as well as eligible Emirates Skywards members.

Revealing a newer, modern design and furnishings with Middle Eastern influences, the newly renovated 1,108 sq m Emirates lounge will handle up to 183 travelers, offering a variety of seating choices, a refreshed dining area, shower facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, a wide array of food and beverage options, and a prayer room. Emirates passengers will also be able to board directly from the lounge for a seamless journey.
 

TAP Air Portugal opened its new lounge at Lisbon Airport for passengers traveling on flights outside the Schengen area. Every day, between 5am and midnight, TAP and Star Alliance passengers will be able to enjoy a space that favors Portuguese culture and can accommodate around 100 people in an area of 380 sq meters.

The new lounge is located just beyond the passport control area at Humberto Delgado airport. In a project developed by Alma Design, the TAP Premium Lounge Atlântico provides passengers with a space to gather, relax and prepare for the next stage of their journey, celebrating Portugal's cultural heritage while reflecting the company's sustainability strategy, thanks to the choice of local, sustainable and authentic materials.

 

The old Etihad Lounge at New York JFK airport has restructured and become the “Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club with Etihad Airways at New York JFK.” The 7,600 sq. ft. lounge, located in Terminal 4, is open daily from 5am to 11pm (subject to change) and can be accessed by Priority Pass members or for a fee by nonmembers. Amenities include local food and beverages, fresh seasonal dining options, local coffee from Joe Coffee, spaces for working or relaxing, private bathrooms with showers, and reflection rooms.
 

Chase announced the opening of its newest Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in January 2024. The entrance to the two-floor lounge is located post-security on the fourth floor of the newly redeveloped Terminal B and is the brand’s largest to date at more than 21,800 sq. ft. The new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B offers an elevated experience with Chase’s first-ever bookable Reserve Suites, dedicated wellness rooms, a game room and exclusive menus from New York staples including Joseph Leonard and Jeffrey’s Grocery, and drink selections from Parcelle, Apotheke and Joe Coffee.
 

Oneworld opened its first-ever fully branded dedicated lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport. Situated in Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, the new oneworld lounge stretches across 555 sq m and features seating for up to 148 customers. The new lounge is less than a 10-minute walk from the farthest oneworld airlines’ departure gates. The lounge concept was created in partnership with ASPIRE, Swissport's global airport hospitality brand based in Zurich, Switzerland. Pictured, the Tea Pavilion.
 

Italy’s flag carrier ITA Airways inaugurated the Fantasia Lounge, its new lounge dedicated to unaccompanied minors in Terminal 1 of Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport.

Designed by the branding agency FutureBrand, the new Fantasia Lounge covers an area of 120 sq m. It is situated in the Check-in area of Terminal 1 of Rome Fiumicino Airport, before security controls, and it is dedicated to unaccompanied minors departing from or in transit through Fiumicino Airport on flights operated by ITA Airways.

According to the creative concept inspiring the new Fantasia Lounge, the sky and sea merge to create a space colored in ITA Airways blue, with illustrations conveying a fun and dreamy atmosphere. The central element is a large hot-air balloon, surrounded by porthole-shaped niches and cozy lounges featuring aeronautical design.

Otherside Brewing Co, in partnership with Delaware North, in December 2023 opened the Otherside Brew Lounge at Perth Airport’s Terminal 2, which celebrates a combination of Western Australian craft beer, live music, arts and culture.

Guests will be treated to regularly scheduled live music performances, rotating art installations showcasing the work of local WA artists, and a state-of-the-art audio/visual experience. Complimenting the brand’s wide range of craft beers is a locally sourced menu, available for takeaway or table service.
 

London Luton Airport (LLA) a new No1 Lounge, which has a capacity for 70 guests and offers a variety of seating options, from comfortable lounge chairs to quieter meeting spaces, while natural light filters through the lounge window spaces offering some airfield views.

Operated by SwissportALD, a joint venture between Airport Dimensions and Swissport, the lounge, located next to Gate 17, offers complimentary food and beverages, with a selection of premium beers, spirits, and wines served from a fully staffed bar, and culinary delights catering to different tastes, including cooked and continental breakfasts, and an afternoon menu with vegan and vegetarian options.

The lounge’s modern design, featuring a contemporary color scheme, plush textures, and unique feature wallpaper, is complemented by essential amenities like Wi-Fi, flight information screens, a TV lounge, newspapers and magazines.
 

No1 Lounges officially reopened the Clubrooms at Gatwick South Terminal in December. Clubrooms are designed in the style of a modern members’ club with the service to match. Clubrooms is an adult only space and guests must be aged 12+ to be admitted access. With spacious rooms, Clubrooms offers hosted table service, freshly made to order food dishes and premium beverages, including beers, wines, cocktails, spirits and sparkling wines.