There’s nothing worse than having hours to kill in an overcrowded airport — but doing so in style is much easier than you think.
So where are the best airport lounges in the world? The ones that make you want to stay forever, that make your business travel easier and even more pleasant than usual, and more importantly where you can sleep and relax in style, as you were meant to!
So in the spirit of helpfulness, we’ve collated some of the best airport lounges across the globe, where you can escape the noise, the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the busy airport terminal right before you fly.
We’ll have you so relaxed, you’ll be horizontal.
den of delights
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, T3 London Heathrow Airport (LHR), UK
Our first pick has an impressive reputation as being one of the best airport lounges in the world, and we can’t help but agree. The luxurious Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is more like a five-star hotel than an airport lounge!
A perfect place to chill out or catch up on some work before your flight, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse also boasts a plethora of facilities! Why not visit the 14-metre long bar and order an award-winning cocktail (created by London’s famous Dandelyan bar)! Or even tuck into something delicious with five-star dining, tapas-style dishes and a quintessentially British afternoon tea all on offer!
Whilst your lapping up the Clubhouses luxury, don’t forget to take a trip to The Den – a retro video games room, complete with pool table and TV and sports channels! But wait! There’s more – for a truly transformative start to your trip, check out the Clubhouse Spa for a complimentary treatment!
lap up the luxury
Lufthansa First Class, Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Germany
Widely considered to be the Mecca for frequent flyers and one of the best of it’s kind, the lounge (housed in its own private terminal) is geared towards your personal well-being.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to chill out in the relax chairs (they live up to their name) or one of the dedicated quiet rooms (complete with day beds of course). Not forgetting the four shower rooms (one with a spacious bath) and a Cigar Lounge. Dining at the lounge is exceptional, with both an expansive buffet and an a la carte menu on offer! The real eye-catcher with the lounge, is their stylish bar, which features more than 130 varieties of whisky and Haribo Gold-Bears gummi candies!
Or if knocking back a glass of scotch isn’t for you, why not take advantage of one of the five separate office units, equipped with Wi-Fi, landline and even fax, and catch up on some work before your flight.
Just don’t forget to grab a rubber duck, given to you as a souvenir. These Lufthansa ducks are quite famous and represent a collector’s item among frequent flyers since their design changes monthly.
high-class treat
The La Première Experience, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), France
Anything is possible in the Air France La Première Lounge, which offers an exclusive and tranquil setting to unwind in it’s own relaxation area. It’s all work and play in La Première Lounges personal space, you can flip through newspapers and magazines (pssst – if you want a specific magazine, staff will go down to the terminal and get it for you), catch up on the news in HD or simply stretch out and relax.
Why not treat your taste buds, and indulge in one of the many extravagant menu items (selected by infamous chef Alain Ducasse) or perhaps treat yourself to a perfectly poured glass of wine (from an extraordinarily lengthy list) and enjoy a fine dining experience with elegant table service!
Or you can lean back and relax in the Biologique Recherche center, and enjoy a personalised spa treatment, including facials and body treatments tailored to the needs of frequent travellers.
Pssst! Don’t forget to catch forty winks before you fly! The relaxation area provides quasi-daybeds to catch a little shut-eye. It’s really no surprise that this lounge has won so many awards!
airport oasis
Al Ghazal Lounge, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), UAE
Take a breather and relax in this Arabian airport oasis away from the bustling crowds in Abu Dhabi Airport.
In this airport lounge you can do anything you want, catch up on business, indulge in a variety of entertainment options, or simply take a much needed nap. This high-class relaxation experience offers a convenient escape, with everything from unlimited Wi-Fi and charging stations, to luxurious food and VIP rooms.
If you’re feeling really indulgent, why not opt to add a spacious VIP room? Each luxurious private room showcases an elegant interior, a quality sound-proofing system and even a private bathroom (I think we can all agree there’s nothing better than a hot shower after hours of travelling). Don’t forget to tuck into the wide spread of Arabic, Asian and Continental cuisines, made fresh to order too!
budget friendly
1903 Lounge, Manchester International Airport (MAN), UK
Escape the hustle and bustle of Terminal 3 and welcome the calm atmosphere of the 1903 lounge. This adults-only lounge offers guests all sorts of food, snacks, drinks and of course, high-speed Wi-Fi. Don’t worry about getting peckish while you wait either, throughout the day the 1903 supplies a range of tasty hot and cold dishes which have all been prepared using fresh ingredients.
Dubbed 1903 after the year of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, this lounge is aimed at passengers looking to start their holiday in style. You can also relax with a free newspaper or magazine, enjoy the incredible runway views, and keep updated on your flight departure time with the in-lounge flight information screens. Don’t forget you get to skip the queue, as a complimentary Fast Track security pass is also included with your booking!
If you want to get cracking with some work, you can sit back and connect your phones, tablets or laptops to the free unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi. There are also scanning, printing and fax facilities available free of charge, as well as great workspaces and charging points (they’ve also got chargers built into the menu holders!)
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