Gallery: New Airport Lounges Offer Premium Experiences

Linda Blachly

Plaza Premium opens first lounge at Edinburgh Airport

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Group

Plaza Premium Group opened its first Plaza Premium Lounge in Scotland at Edinburgh Airport. The lounge features the Group’s first gin bar in collaboration with Edinburgh Gin, a Premium Gin distilled in Edinburgh by Ian Macleod Distillers. The 670 sq m lounge can accommodate 165 passengers of all ages. Its interior features warm colors and plush seating to provide a cosy atmosphere, while subtle Scottish elements are woven into the design, from tartan upholstery to carefully selected local artwork referencing key Scottish landmarks and iconic imagery. There is a family-friendly “Interactive Area,” which provides shuffleboard, foosball and large screens showing live sports and entertainment. Interactive wall games and a small climbing wall will also keep children entertained and occupied during their wait for flights.

Jumeirah lounge opens at Dubai

Photo credit: Jumeirah Group

Jumeirah Group opened the Jumeirah Airport Lounge at Dubai International (DXB), located in DXB Terminal 3 Arrivals. Three zones include a welcome space with dedicated check-in and transportation services; a waiting area to relax and eat, as well as its signature resident barista coffee experience; and a private VIP room with personalized services by a dedicated guest relations and butler service team. Other features include a large shower and array of Amouage luxury bath and body amenities, as well as luggage transfer directly to their room.

Swissport opens new Aspire lounges

Photo credit: Swissport

Swissport is accelerating the global expansion of its Aspire Airport Lounges brand. With the opening of four lounges in Perth (Australia), Manchester (UK), Geneva (Switzerland) and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) between January and March 2022, and now three additional lounges in the US, the Aspire network will grow to 64 locations worldwide by the end of May, giving the brand a growing and increasingly visible presence at airports around the world. The fully refurbished former Airspace Lounge at San Diego International Airport, California, opened its doors in February as an Aspire Lounge. It is accessible to all passengers departing from Terminal 2. In addition, two more Aspire lounges will open their doors on 19 May at Terminals 2 and 4 at Ontario International Airport, one of the airports serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California.

Delta Sky Club opens at LAX Terminal 3

Photo credit: Delta Air Lines

The Delta Sky Club at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), located on the departures level between T2 and T3, has opened in April 2022. At over 30,000 sq. ft., the Delta Sky Club at LAX Sky Way is one of the largest in the Delta network, with ample space for guests to retreat, relax and recharge. The lounge is outfitted with seating options to accommodate a wide variety of travelers, including private phone booths for quiet work and theater-style seating for viewing the media wall. Club restroom amenities have been optimized for guest comfort and privacy and include a nursing room, oversized family restrooms and eight spacious showers managed via a virtual queuing system.

LATAM opens new sustainable lounge at Santiago airport

Photo credit: LATAM

LATAM Group opened its LATAM Lounge, a renewed space for its preferred passengers and LATAM’s partner airline members at Santiago airport to wait for their departure or connection. The new space, which replaces the old VIP lounge, will offer a more sustainable service with a Latin American influence. The sustainable attributes include the use of 80% renewable energy for its operation, interactive games with educational themes surrounding recycling and conservation and waste reduction is encouraged through recycling and reuse. This new lounge will also compensate its carbon footprint through of unique ecosystem conservation projects in the South America. The new lounge is located in the new Terminal 2 of the Santiago airport, and it is available to all passengers with the LATAM benefits program in the Black Signature, Black and Platinum categories, for flights in premium cabin, alliance customers and Business partners, traveling on international flights, or making stopovers in Chile.

Plaza Premium, marhaba form JV to enhance QAIA lounge

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Group

Plaza Premium Group and dnata’s airport hospitality brand marhaba entered into a joint venture agreement to expand their international offering. The first project will see the development of the new marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. With the lounge development already in progress, the new marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport is expected to open in July 2022. The lounge will have a capacity of 140 guests and is inspired by the beautiful landscape of Amman, with subtle inclusion of the local culture and heritage in its design.

Aegean opens new business lounge in Athens

Photo credit: AEGEAN

Greece flag carrier Aegean Airlines opened a new business lounge, located in the extra Schengen area of Athens International Airport, on April 2, 2022. The 1,250 sq m lounge offers an airside view, a social and quiet lounge, meeting rooms, recliners and two cafeterias as well as the restaurant alongside the wine bar. As the new aims to serve as a platform to promote Greekness, all warm and cold dishes as well as wines offered, come mainly from fine Greek producers.

Turkish Airlines adds flight simulator experience in IST business lounge

Photo credit: Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines added a virtual flight simulator to its business class lounge at Istanbul Airport (IST). The simulator—called the “Hezarfen Flight Simulator Experience” after the first person in Turkish aviation history to take flight—offers virtual reality goggles i which to “fly” over Istanbul. Following the flight path of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi, the route starts from Galata Tower and takes guests to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Büyükdere Avenue, 15 July Martyrs Bridge and Maiden’s Tower, with 4K resolution footage at a 360-degree angle, and the ability to experience wind and flight movements.

Youth lounge at Istanbul Airport opens

Photo credit: iGA Istanbul Airport

iGA Istanbul Airport opened its Youth Lounge at the airport’s terminal departure level. The Youth Lounge, created to meet the needs of passengers in the 15–30-year age group, offers numerous possibilities to engage the attention of young people, with

No1 Lounge at Gatwick’s South Terminal reopens

Photo credit: No1 Lounges

London Gatwick’s No1 Lounge in the South Terminal reopened at the end of March 2022, offering passengers runway views, comfortable seats, unlimited Wi-Fi, free digital newspapers and magazines. Customers can also enjoy a wide variety of premium beers, wines and spirits served from the fully tended bar. Complimentary hot and cold food dishes and snacks will be served all day, all served buffet style.

LAX offers premium game lounge

Photo credit: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has partnered with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) to offer Gameway, a premium video game lounge in Terminal 6. Gameway offers gaming stations with the newest technology, leather lounge or gaming chairs and premium Razer gaming headphones. Each guest station comes equipped with either an Xbox, PlayStation or Razer gaming PC with over 30 preloaded games, including popular titles like Fortnite, FIFA, NBA2K, Madden, Call of Duty, Minecraft, Rocket League, and many more.

Plaza Premium opens second lounge in Budapest

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Lounge

Plaza Premium Lounge opened its second lounge in March 2022 at the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Hungary. The lounge is located in the Sky Court area at Terminal 2 Departures, SkyCourt Mezzanine level. The bright and airy lounge offers a contemporary space to relax. Facilities include comfortable and zoned seating areas, a variety of food including traditional Hungarian cuisine, plus a tempting selection of drinks from its iconic coffee and bar station.

American Express to open Centurion Lounge at ATL

Photo credit: American Express

American Express plans to open a new Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in 2023. The 26,000-sq-ft lounge will be located in Concourse E behind security and will be accessible from both terminals and all seven concourses. The lounge will offer several outdoor areas including a garden terrace that Amex said is inspired by Atlanta’s rich tree canopy and an area with open tarmac views.

Plaza Premium offers lounge pass

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Group

Plaza Premium Lounge is offering a new Americas Pass, which allows any traveler to access to Plaza Premium airport lounges with no membership, travel passes or mileage program affiliation required. The $59 pass will give travelers two visits to any Plaza Premium Lounge, Avianca Lounge, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse operated by Plaza Premium Group, Air France Lounge operated by Plaza Premium Group and MERA Business Lounge in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, El Salvador and Colombia. Complete list of lounges HERE. Access includes up to three hours of lounge usage each time and 12 months of validity. As a digital pass, it is designed for seamless airport lounge access, reducing physical contact to allow for the safest travel and lounge experience.

Gatwick Airport’s No 1 lounge reopens

Photo credit: No1 Lounges

No 1 Lounges will reopen its lounge at London Gatwick Airport South Terminal on March 27, 2022. It will be open daily from 5am. Changes include contactless reception and capacity-controlled lounges. Its menu has been updated and simplified, reducing interaction and contact between staff and guests.

Club Aspire Lounge reopens at Heathrow

Photo credit: Airport Dimensions

After two years of closure as a result of the pandemic, Airport Dimensions has reopened its Club Aspire Lounge at London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3. The lounge offers a seasonal hot menu, snacks and a wide variety of beverage options, as well as a Business Zone with unlimited Wi-Fi. There are also shower rooms, toilet facilities and baby changing facilities.

Plaza Premium Group opens second lounge at Helsinki Airport

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Group

Plaza Premium Group opened the second Plaza Premium Lounge at Helsinki Airport in February 2022 at the non-Schengen area, near to gate 40. Located within the landside area in the new Terminal 2, spanning 731 sq m, Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki can seat 135 guests who can enjoy a Finnish sauna and a full Wellness Center, including hair salon, beauty treatments and massage facilities. Private meeting and sleeping pods are available. The lounge also caters for ALLWAYS Meet & Assist service, VIP guests and has a private elevator installed in the lounge allowing passengers fast-track access where they can continue through the Premium security lane towards the destination gate.

Emirates Airline opens children’s lounge at DXB

Photo credit: Emirates Airline

Emirates Airline opened a renovated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge in Terminal 3, Concourse B, at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Children ages 5-15 can use the upgraded, supervised facility to wait for their flight while playing PlayStation 4 or watc

Alaska Airlines invests in renovations, new lounges in Seattle, Portland

Rendering: Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines plans to renovate and expand existing lounges in Seattle and Portland, as well as open new lounges at both locations. In Portland, Alaska is investing nearly $1.5 million for lounge upgrades this year and early $7 million for lounge upgrades in Seattle for 2022-23. The revitalization of two current lounges—scheduled to get underway this spring—will eventually pave the way for completely new lounges at both airports in 2025-26.

Napcabs opens sleeping cabins at Berlin

Photo credit: Napcabs

Napcabs has opened four new sleeping cabins at Berlin Airport (BER), located in the public area of the airport. The booking of the cabins is possible for all passengers, regardless of the travel destination. For passengers who are in transit at BER Airport, access is only possible to a limited extent. These passengers need a visa for Germany to stay in the cabin and they have to leave the security area in order to enter the public area to be able to use the cabin.

New Plaza Premium lounge opens at Budapest

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Group

The Plaza Premium Group opened its newest Plaza Premium Lounge at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport. The facility is located in the SkyCourt and covers an area of nearly 107 sq meters. The 40-seat lounge offers a wide range of services, including special magazines, on-screen entertainment and Hungarian cuisine.

Swissport opens Aspire lounge at Geneva airport

Photo credit: Swissport

Swissport opened its second lounge at Geneva International Airport on Feb. 1, 2022. Located in the new East Wing of the airport, the new ASPIRE Crystal Lounge will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is accessible to all passengers for an admission fee of 45 Swiss francs. Built with natural materials such as stone and wood, the ASPIRE Crystal Lounge offers a sleek and serene environment. The textures and colors of the interior immerse visitors in a mountainous setting, while large windows provide views of the Swiss Alpine peaks across Lake Geneva.

Second Swissport Aspire lounge opens at Manchester Airport

Photo credit: Swissport

Swissport opened a new Aspire Lounge in Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 on Feb. 1, 2022. It complements the travel technology innovations and state-of-the-art facilities of the recently expanded Terminal 2 with the modern design and comfort of Aspire. The new lounge is the second under the Aspire brand in Manchester. The 240 sq m lounge offers seating and a relaxing atmosphere for 81 guests. Visitors enjoy unique and carefully selected food and beverages in a modern, bright setting with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the busy airfield. Lounge amenities also include a fully equipped business area with desk booths allowing travelers to work in privacy and tranquility.

Plaza Premium upgrades lounge in Ethiopia

Photo credit: Plaza Premium Group

Plaza Premium Lounge Ethiopia is set to open in March at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport Terminal 2 (Departure). The 1,000 sq m Plaza Premium Lounge Ethiopia can accommodate up to 325 guests and features a wide range of facilities. These include a well-equipped business center, shower rooms, resting and sleeping rooms as well as a cigar lounge, and an open café/restaurant. The lounge is designed to provide a distinctive experience for passengers with its culture-inspired design and authentic Ethiopian culinary experience. The new Plaza Premium Lounge Ethiopia is Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)’s only pay-per-use lounge.

ITA Airways opens lounges in Rome, Milan airports

Photo credit: ITA Airways

ITA Airways has opened two lounges—the Piazza di Spagna at Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and the Piazza della Scala at Milan Linate (LIN) airports. The lounges are open to all passengers with a business class ticket on the entire ITA Airways network, premium and executive members of the Volare loyalty program, and Elite Plus SkyTeam members. The Piazza di Spagna lounge is in Rome Fiumicino’s E boarding area and covers approximately 1,000 sq m with 200 guest seats. Inside, there are rooms for private meetings, which can be booked in advance, and a kid’s lounge. At Milan Linate Airport, the Piazza della Scala lounge is on the first floor of the Schengen boarding area at Milan Linate and covers an area of over 400 sq m with 54 seats. Both lounges are not just a place to relax while waiting for a flight, but a showcase for the unique values and distinctive features of Italian excellence across the world. They offer Wi-Fi connectivity, TV screens broadcasting daily news and a display to check flight departure times.

Vienna Airport opens Zzzleepandgo ‘smart lounges’

Photo credit: Zzzleepandgo

Vienna Airport has introduced 16 rentable sleeping cabins in Terminal 3 (Level 2). The cabins, developed by Italian startup Zzzleepandgo, are known as “smart lounges” and provide an exclusive, peaceful place for working, resting or staying overnight. Guests register directly at the sleeping cabin of their choice via a touchpad and virtual reception that reads their passport, credit card and COVID-19 certificate. When this is completed, the door to the smart lounge opens. A multimedia system controls lighting, ventilation and darkens the room. Guests can stream films and listen to music. The cabin can also be used as a workplace featuring a foldable table and shelves. The traveler can exit or enter the cabin at any time during the rental period. After the rental time has been concluded, the cabin is cleaned and disinfected. The lounges also feature an automatic ventilation system that removes bacteria and viruses from the air. The costs amount to €9 ($10.18) per hour, and the sleeping cabins can also be booked for a whole night (starting at €48) or longer. By the end of 2022, Zzzleepandgo cabins are scheduled to be present in 16 international airports in nine countries.

Swissport to open Aspire lounge at Tokyo Narita

Photo credit: Swissport

Swissport will further expand its global lounge business, with the opening of Asia’s first Aspire lounge at Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan. The lounge, inspired by Japanese nature, style, and culture, will open in the airport’s Terminal 2 in early summer 2022. The 720 sq m lounge will be fully equipped with a relaxation room, office space and shower room for up to 148 guests. It is designed to support guests in finding their wagaya (a Japanese word meaning “one’s own home”). A range of special features will help promote wellbeing and relaxation including large windows allowing extensive natural light, aromatic oils, plants, and nature sounds throughout the spaces.

Virgin Atlantic reopens Revivals lounge at Heathrow

Photo credit: Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic reopened its Revivals lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport. Located at the Arrivals hall in Terminal 3, the lounge offers passengers a chance to fresh up with a shower, followed by a complimentary made-to-order breakfast, including a full English breakfast.

Cathay Pacific reopens lounges at Heathrow

Photo credit: Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has reopened its first- and business-class lounges at London’s Heathrow Airport, Terminal 3, open to eligible oneworld passengers on airlines such as Qantas, Finnair and British Airways.

Amex opens ‘Calm’ wellness area at Centurion Lounge in Houston

Photo credit: American Express

American Express has opened a new wellness area inside the 8,500 sq. ft. Centurion Lounge at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in partnership with mental wellness brand Calm. The lounge, located in Terminal D, features a wellness room that is outfitted with lounge chairs, complimentary neck warmers and design details inspired by the ocean. It also includes complimentary access to Calm content, which includes meditation and other sessions focused on sleep and relaxation.

First Ambaar Club lounge opens in South America

Photo credit: Airport Dimensions

Airport Dimensions partnered with VIP lounge operator Ambaar Lounge to open the first Ambaar Club lounge at Viracopos International Airport (pictured) in early December 2021, marking Airport Dimensions’ debut in the South American market. Located airside in the domestic departures hall, Ambaar Club VIP has a capacity for more than 100 passengers. The design draws from the culture and heritage of the surrounding Campinas region, featuring two significant agricultural crops—sugar cane and coffee. The design scheme is softened by fresh greenery.

Airport Dimensions opens two more Ambaar lounges in Brazil

Photo credit: Airport Dimensions

Airport Dimensions and VIP lounge operator Ambaar Lounge have opened further locations at two Brazilian airports, Fortaleza International and Porto Alegre International in January 2022 (pictured). The 170-passenger capacity Ambaar Club lounge at Porto Alegre International features a coffee bar area, buffet and cocktail bar. Airport Dimensions said the lounge design was inspired by themes from the surrounding Rio Grande do Sul area. The emphasis is on wood and leather with highlights in rich shades of red, yellow and green that reflect the state’s flag. The 108-passenger lounge at Fortaleza International pays homage to the culture of Brazil’s northeastern Ceará state, with the design featuring a vibrant colour scheme. Hammocks for guest relaxation are among the facilities.

Emirates delivers premium lounge experience as over 20 lounges reopen

Photo credit: Emirates Airline

At the start of 2022, more than 20 Emirates lounges have reopened or plan to reopen at a host of airports in the UK, including London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, London Gatwick and Glasgow. In Europe, Emirates lounges have already opened in Germany, namely Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Dusseldorf, in addition to lounges in Milan, Rome and Paris (to reopen end January). In the US, travelers on Emirates flights can access the premium lounge experience at Los Angeles International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport as well as New York JFK, with Emirates’ San Francisco lounge to restart its services in February 2022. At Emirates’ exclusive Terminal 3 at Dubai International airport, Emirates’ premium class customers and eligible Skywards members are also able to enjoy the airline’s premium lounge service at five of its dedicated lounges, which are now fully operational.

Delta opens newest Sky Club lounge in Detroit

Photo credit: Delta Air Lines

The fifth Delta Sky Club at the airline’s Detroit hub opened to travelers Dec. 7. Delta’s newest Club in Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) features premium beverage offerings like Motor City-made microbrews, along with curated pieces of art from local artists that reflect the beauty and innovation of Detroit. Opening in time for holiday travel, the 4,600-sq.-ft. space near gate A43 seats up to 100 guests and overlooks the concourse and the existing main Club.

No1 Lounge reopens at Birmingham Airport

Photo credit: No1 Lounges

No1 Lounge is reopening at the Birmingham Airport Dec. 15, 2021 from 5am-1pm daily. New measures are in place aimed to keep passengers safe with a high standard of cleanliness and hand sanitizing stations. A new high-quality simplified menu reduces interaction and minimizes contact. The lounge is capacity controlled.

As travel increases and lounges reopen, they are catering to not only passenger comfort but also well-being as they serve as a safe space for travelers. 

Linda Blachly

Linda Blachly is Senior Associate Editor for Air Transport World and Aviation Week. She joined the company in July 2010 and is responsible for producing features for Air Transport World’s monthly magazine and engaging content for the aviationweek.com. She is based in the Washington DC office.

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