The Best Airport Lounges in the World — and How to Get In (2024)

Forget fluorescent lighting, stale buffet food, and spotty Wi-Fi. These days, the best airport lounges feature amenities like spa treatments, private rooms, and decadent menus devised by celebrity chefs. Airlines and credit card companies have both been investing more in their programs, with recent openings including Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport and Delta One Lounge at JFK.

Of course, you generally have to pay for the privilege of luxuriating in these wonderful way stations by flying business or first class. Some premium credit cards or levels of elite loyalty status will also grant you access. Here are 14 of the world's best airport lounges, and how to get into each.

Top 3 Can't Miss

• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow has Peloton bikes, a chic cocktail bar, and rooftop seating.
• Air France La Première status includes a luxurious point-to-point experience at Charles de Gaulle in Paris with spa treatments, Alain Ducasse dining, a personal concierge, and more.
• American Airlines paired up with the James Beard Foundation for exquisite culinary experiences that might tempt you to miss your flight.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, London

Virgin Atlantic almost singlehandedly made flying fun again when it debuted back in the 1980s, and nowhere is that swinging spirit still on display more than in the airline's flagship Clubhouse at London Heathrow. There's a snazzy cocktail bar for carousing with your fellow passengers, as well as a dining room with à la carte selections (like the classic Clubhouse cheeseburger), where you can also linger over a leisurely afternoon tea. The lounge even has a few Peloton bikes for fitness enthusiasts looking to squeeze in a workout before a long flight. Funky touches like a rooftop "garden" and pool table add to the space's comfort and character.

Access: To get in, you'll need to be flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class or Delta One, or some combination of high-end elite status with Virgin Atlantic or one of its airline partners.

Air France La Première Lounge, Paris

Air France's La Première first-class cabin is one of the most fashionable flying experiences in the world, and the airline's ground game istrès chic, too. If you're flying out of Charles de Gaulle in Paris, you can reserve a complimentary ride to the airport up to six hours before your flight, and enjoy private check-in and your own security lane.

The ultra-exclusive lounge spans 10,000 square feet, but maxes out at 15 guests, with multiple relaxation areas including a cocktail bar and spa with treatments by French beauty brand Sisley. The dining room features cuisine crafted by star chef Alain Ducasse plus wine pairings. You can add on a private suite with a double bedroom, television, outdoor patio, and butler service. A car takes you directly to the plane.

Don't overlook it if landing in Paris, either. You can use the lounge to refresh before your adventure while your checked luggage is delivered straight to you.

Access: If you're departing or connecting in Paris in Air France's La Première cabin, you're golden. Select business class passengers may also gain access by departing on a long-haul Air France or Delta flight that's not equipped with La Première cabins for around $710 per person, or by using Flying Blue frequent flier miles.

American Airlines Flagship First Dining

Foodies, take note: In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, American Airlines hosts its most exclusive lounges at its hubs in Dallas and Miami. The Los Angeles location is temporarily closed.

Once inside, guests are seated at individual tables and can order from gourmet menus that might include seasonal dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Previous menus have included roasted beet and burrata salad, free-range beef tenderloin with peppercorn crust and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, oyster fritters, and more. The airline also typically serves premium sparkling wine and vintages from France and the U.S. alongside handcrafted cocktails.

Access: Getting into a Flagship First Dining lounge requires passengers to be traveling in the airline's Flagship First or Flagship Business Plus cabin on an international flight or qualifying transcontinental route in a three-cabin plane (meaning, economy, business, and first class). Flagship First passengers on international itineraries are allowed one guest.

American Express Centurion Lounges

American Express has been steadily expanding its network of chic Centurion Lounges, with 26 locations in airports including Charlotte, New York JFK, and San Francisco. Although services and facilities vary from lounge to lounge, guests can expect consistent touches including installations by local artists, fine-dining menus created by up-and-coming regional chefs, and signature cocktails alongside place-specific drink options like Napa wines in San Francisco and Colorado microbrews in Denver. Some lounges even have spas, while the JFK one has a speakeasy bar.

Access: If you have an American Express Platinum, Business Platinum, Corporate Platinum, or Centurion (a.k.a. Black) card and present a same-day boarding pass, you can spend some time in these lounges. Those with a Delta SkyMiles Reserve business or personal card can also enter, but only when flying Delta.

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge, Hong Kong

This stunning salonwas designed by Ilse Crawford, whose other projects include stylish hotels and restaurants like Ett Hem in Stockholm and Ravintola Savoy in Helsinki. The Pier is all about different spaces for different vibes, each suffused with warm, amber lighting to help you unwind. Elegant sitting areas framed by floor-to-ceiling windows provide tarmac views for the aviation geeks. A distinctive, horseshoe-shaped cocktail bar with a pale green onyx top offers exclusive cocktails and an aesthetic any scenester will appreciate. The midcentury-inspired restaurant serves classy continental fare (but also the airline's signature spicy dan dan noodles).

Six secluded work suites, each equipped with an iMac computer, make it easy to be productive. For those in search of further quiet, however, there are eight day rooms plus shower suites in The Retreat portion, as well as a small spa offering complimentary mini treatments like facials and foot massages.

Access: To get in, you'll need to be departing in first class on Cathay Pacific or another Oneworld airline, or have Oneworld top-tier Emerald status.

Delta Sky Club, Atlanta

Delta fields no fewer than nine Sky Clubs at its home base, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Each lounge has distinctive features — the one in Concourse F has an outdoor Sky Deck where guests can enjoy snacks and drinks with views of the runways. The flagship in Concourse B has the most space to spread out. Here, you'll find a "wine wall" of bottles curated by Andrea Robinson, the airline's master sommelier, and a rotating selection of Southern tapas from acclaimed Atlanta-based chef Linton Hopkins. A gallery of works by local artists and brightly lit shower suites are added bonuses. It even has grab-and-go dining options if you're in a rush.

Delta is expanding its luxury offerings with premium lounges at select airports like the recently opened Delta One Lounge at JFK, followed by outposts in Boston and Los Angeles.

Access: Want to access any of these locations? You can be flying Delta One, first, or business class on international or transcontinental routes with Delta or its SkyTeam partners. You can also purchase an annual membership. Frequent flyers with Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion status can get in with the right first class or business-class tickets, as well as folks with the Amex Platinum or Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards flying with the airline the same day.

Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai

There are several Emirates First Class Lounges at Dubai International Airport, spanning nearly the entire length of the airport's international concourse. They're open 24/7, and accessible to travelers up to four hours before their departing flights.

Once inside, guests can indulge in a tasting in the lounge's wine cellar or a complimentary treatment in the Timeless Spa. Then, perk up with an espresso at the coffee bar or sit back with a stogie in the cigar lounge. There's also a whole arcade of in-lounge duty-free shops. The dining room fields an extensive buffet, with everything from sushi to pastries, as well as à la carte options, though feel free to order food and drinks from any of the expansive seating areas you happen to settle in. There are also shower suites and semi-private quiet rooms for napping if you just want to unwind.

Access: If you want to spend some time here, you'll need to have Emirates Skywards Platinum elite status or be departing in first class on an Emirates flight. If you're in business class or lower, you can also pay a one-time fee to upgrade your lounge access.

Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt

Lufthansa has created an entire First Class Terminal at its hub in Frankfurt. Instead of heading to the main airport, fliers can take advantage of the terminal's valet parking and go through security screening on-site before enjoying the lounge's many attractions. Highlights include a cigar lounge, a bar serving over 100 different kinds of whiskey, a full-service dining room, separate office units, and shower rooms including one with a full bath (ask for one of the airline's signature rubber duckies before you lather up). When it's time to leave, you'll pass through a dedicated customs and immigration checkpoint before being chauffeured to your flight.

Access: You'll need to be departing in first class on Lufthansa, or arriving on Lufthansa in first class and connecting to a flight operated by Lufthansa, Swiss, or Discover Airlines. Uber-elite Hon Circle fliers can get in if on flights operated by select airlines. The lounges also offer access options for companions traveling with you.

Qantas First Lounge, Sydney

When you make your way past the massive living wall of plants and step onto the escalator that whisks you from the crowded concourse up to the lounge level at Qantas' Sydney hub, it's like taking a journey back to the golden age of air travel, complete with a vintage-style destination board featuring clattering letter and number tiles. Guests can while away the hours at Qantas First Lounge nibbling on seasonal fare created by Aussie celebrity chef Neil Perry or step into the day spa for a complimentary massage or facial performed with fancy LaGaia products. There are also marble-clad shower suites for freshening up, private conference rooms for impromptu meetings, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tarmac.

Access: First-class fliers on Qantas, Emirates, or Oneworld partner flights can get in, as can certain Qantas, Emirates, and Oneworld elites departing on Qantas, Emirates, or Oneworld partner airline flights.

Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge, Doha

You might think Qatar Airways' industry-leading business-class Qsuites are the main reason to fly the airline, but a sojourn in its spacious, sophisticated lounge in Doha isn't a bad rationale either. Measuring up at over 100,000 square feet, it has something for everyone, including dedicated family spaces, both quiet and more communal sitting areas, small semi-private napping rooms, two dining rooms, and a warren of individual shower suites, plus a game room with pinball machines, foosball, PlayStation, and even a F1 race car simulator. Saunter down the sculptural spiral staircase to the reflecting pool to feel like a true jet-setter, or duck into the sumptuous Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno.

Access: To get in, you need to be flying business or first class on Qatar Airways or one of its Oneworld partners, though you might be able to purchase access online ahead of time or during travel if you're flying the airline in economy or on a basic business fare.

Swiss First Class Lounge, Zurich

There are now two Swiss First Class lounges in Zurich, in Terminal A and Terminal E. The first thing you see when entering the flagship lounge in Terminal E is a glassed-in humidor containing 1,000 bottles of wine, some of which are served at the nearby Champagne counter and in the lounge's two eateries, including the five-star à la carte restaurant. Passengers with longer connections can take advantage of two fully equipped "hotel rooms," complete with Hästens beds and en-suite bathrooms. If you're just passing through, however, a rinse in one of the shower suites might suffice, while business travelers can book a conference room for meetings on the fly. Take a moment to step out onto the terrace for a breath of fresh air and views of the Alps, too. The Terminal A edition is still luxurious, with an identical food and beverage selection

Access: The lounges are open to guests departing or connecting on Swiss or Lufthansa in first class on the same day, plus Hon Circle travelers.

Turkish Airlines Lounge Business, Istanbul

At over 60,000 square feet, and with space for 765 people, you might think Turkish Airlines' lounge at the Istanbul Airport is too large to be luxurious, but you'd be wrong. There are a variety of comfy seating areas, including individual cabines for folks who want a quiet space to nap or work. There's a multimedia room with a wall of televisions for entertainment, a business center outfitted with iMacs, plus a kids' area with a small playground. If you're feeling peckish, simply wander around to one of the various food stations for both buffet and made-to-order specialties such as pide, gözleme, and baklava. And if the lounge happens to be crowded, you can always pop into one of the private shower suites for a preflight ablution.

Access: First- and business-class passengers on Turkish Airlines and other Star Alliance flights, as well as Star Alliance Gold elites, should be able to get in.

United Polaris Lounge, Chicago

Along with rebranding its international business-class cabins and service a few years back, United also began building bespoke Polaris business-class lounges at several of its hubs. The mothership is in Concourse C at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and features unique elements like an installation by artist Wolfgang Buttress on the ceiling that mirrors the Chicago night sky, as well as relaxation areas with chaise lounges outfitted with Saks Fifth Avenue pillows and blankets. There are also plenty of seating spaces, depending on whether you want to socialize or work, including individual pods with a single armchair and desk each. The large dining area includes a buffet and a full-service menu with dishes like mahi mahi tostadas and orange-seared chicken, as well as creative cocktails like the Polaris Paloma.

Access: To enter, you must be flying United Polaris (not just the airline's domestic business or first class) or business or first class internationally on a Star Alliance carrier. First class ticket holders on a Star Alliance carrier receive one additional guest.

Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, New York

In Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport, the two-story Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club is packed with amenities and luxury offerings. There are plenty of work and relaxation spaces scattered across the lounge, including two meditation pods with audio sessions by Devi Brown and a facial spa with Face Haus treatments. Book your complimentary 30-minute session upon arrival and you'll even receive a take-home skincare kit from the brand.

Dining options spotlight seasonal menu items from Manhattan staples like Joseph Leonard and Jeffrey’s Grocery, with beverage experts from Apotheke and Parcelle designing the cocktails. Sips from Joe's Coffee will satisfy your caffeine fix.

Unique touches like a photo booth and "hidden" game room make the lounge worth stopping by. The three hotel-style private suites (available as an add-on) feature exclusive menus and caviar service.

Access: The lounge is available up to three hours before a departing flight for travelers with a Chase Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve card or The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card. Other Priority Pass customers may visit a Sapphire Lounge by The Club once per calendar year, with each additional visit costing $75.