When traveling for business, waiting to board at the airport can be both stressful and unproductive. Popping by one of the airport lounges is a nice way to make better use of that time. Lounges can be great to focus and get some work done before your flight. The services available at airport lounges vary, as do the ways you can access the lounges. Here’s our guide to airport lounges for business travelers.
What are airport lounges?
Airport lounges are facilities that offer more comfort and amenities than the standard waiting areas in airport terminals. Most major airlines have at least one lounge in their hubs and the major airports they operate in.
The perks you can enjoy at lounges typically include food, beverages, restrooms, and comfortable chairs. They can also include more exclusive services such as spas, bedrooms, showers, or even business centers.
There are many ways for travelers to access lounges, including flying first or business class, having premium frequent flyer status, or owning a premium travel credit card.
Benefits of airport lounges for business travelers
For business travelers, access to airport lounges has many benefits. Here are the most common ones:
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Comfortable seating – Lounges typically offer armchairs and sofas where travelers can relax comfortably before their upcoming trip. Some even go the extra mile by offering sofas or reclining chairs.
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Quiet – Airport business lounges are the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet far away from the bustling gate. Enjoy comfortable seating while chatting with your coworker or partner.
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Complimentary food and drinks – Lounges tend to offer a selection of complimentary food and drinks varying from simple snacks to full buffets. All lounges will offer warm and cold drinks, although some might charge for premium drinks like champagne.
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Work areas and phone booths – Airport lounges often offer work areas, phone booths, and even meeting rooms for business travelers. You can take advantage of these amenities to hop on a call before your flight or work on a project that can’t wait. Some work areas include a printer, desktop computers, and phones.
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Entertainment – Some lounges offer entertainment options like TVs, newspapers, magazines, or play areas for children. If you pick the right lounge, you might even be able to play video games.
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Restrooms and showers – Tired of waiting in line for the restroom? The airport lounge will be less crowded and usually has cleaner, less busy restrooms. Most international lounges are equipped with shower cabins and offer towels, soap, and shampoo. This can make a big difference if you’re on a long business trip and need to freshen up during your layover.
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Sockets – There’s no need to stress about charging all your devices before leaving home. Lounges are typically equipped with sockets to charge your phone, laptop, e-reader, headphones, and more.
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Faster internet connection – To get some work done or enjoy seamless video calls, you need strong internet connection. Airport lounges typically offer faster internet than the terminals, allowing you to work or entertain yourself seamlessly.
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Wellness services – Some premium lounges offer wellness services like spas, saunas, or gyms so you can prioritize your health while traveling. A massage can be a great way to relax between long flights.
How to get into airport lounges
If you’re wondering how to access airport lounges, keep reading. There are many ways for business travelers to access airport lounges. Below are the most common ways to get into lounges:
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Through a premium rewards credit card. One of the easiest ways to access an airport lounge is through a credit card. Some credit cards like the Business Platinum American Express come with a subscription to Priority Pass, giving you free access to one of the airport’s lounges whether you’re traveling economy, business, or premium. American Express also offers a corporate card. If you’re a frequent international business traveler, ask if your company can get you one. Other credit cards like Visa or Mastercard offer a LoungeKey program – a complimentary benefit that allows premium cardholders to enter the lounge. A credit card with lounge access typically offers other benefits like discounts on restaurants or spas, so check out the options before making your choice.
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Through an airline’s co-branded credit card. Many airlines offer co-branded credit cards that come with extra benefits for travelers. Access to the airline’s lounge is one of these benefits, along with free checked luggage, priority boarding, and more. If you’re used to traveling for business with a particular airline, getting a co-branded card can be a good investment, especially if you fly from their hub city often.
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Get a lounge membership. If you’re not interested in the benefits of a premium credit card, you can also buy an airport lounge membership directly. Programs like Priority Pass and LoungeKey offer annual memberships that give you access to lounges worldwide, which is ideal for international travelers. That membership comes with other perks as well, such as discounts at restaurants and boutiques.
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Get an airline-specific lounge membership. If getting an airline’s co-branded credit card doesn’t sound interesting, you might prefer to get an airline-specific lounge membership. Some airlines have their own lounge networks and won’t let you into their lounges if you’re not a member of their program. Membership can be valuable, especially if your travel policy obliges you to fly with a specific airline.
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Join an airline alliance. An airline alliance is a partnership between airlines. By joining an airline alliance like Skyteam or Oneworld, you can access the alliance’s lounges as long as you’re flying with a member airline. Skyteam lounge access is included for Elite Plus, First, and Business Class customers at more than 750 lounges worldwide, and Oneworld lounge access is available to frequent flyer program members in the Emerald or Sapphire tiers. Many other benefits come with these programs, so you get a lot for your money.
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Earn airline loyalty status. All airlines have a loyalty or frequent flyer program that you can join for free. Those programs have tiers and associated benefits. The more you fly, the more points you collect to reach the next level and even better benefits, such as free lounge access. If your travel policy obliges you to fly with a particular airline, joining one of these programs is a good idea.
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Business and first class tickets. If you’ve purchased a business or first class ticket, it usually includes access to the airline's lounge. All you have to do is show your boarding pass at the lounge’s reception desk. If your travel policy allows you to travel in business class, this may be the easiest option.
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Get a day pass. A simple way to try out the lounge experience is by buying a day pass. It’s a good way to test a lounge and see if it’s worth investing in long-term lounge access. The one-time access fee differs for each lounge, so check the airport’s website beforehand. Check if your travel policy allows you to expense a day pass.
How to get the most out of your lounge experience
As a business traveler, your lounge experience can be so much more than a free snack. Check out our airport lounge tips to enjoy your experience to the fullest.
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Research lounges before going to the airport. A lot of airports offer several lounges, but you won’t be able to access them all. Look up which ones you can enter and would be best for your needs. In some cases, you may also be allowed to bring a guest for free. In other cases, the person accompanying you may need to pay.
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Explore the lounge. Once you enter, explore everything the lounge has to offer. Some offer spa services, entertainment areas, and amazing views. Ask the staff about available services so you don’t miss out on anything.
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Prepare for the flight. Use your time in the lounge to prepare for your flight. If you had to take some items out for security, reorganize your bag. Charge your electronics and download a movie or series to stay entertained during the flight.
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Make use of the business amenities. Use the quiet and comfortable areas to prepare your presentation or answer some emails before take-off. Don’t hesitate to take calls and enjoy the high-speed internet, or print documents from the business center if necessary.
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Enjoy free samples. Lots of airport lounges have free newspapers or magazines for travelers to read. Some of them shouldn’t leave the lounge, but others can be taken onto the flight. Likewise, sometimes cosmetics samples are available, which you shouldn’t feel shy about trying.
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Pack snacks for your flight. Consider packing some snacks like chips, cookies, fruit, and a drink for the flight. Most lounges have a buffet where you can take some food unless otherwise indicated.
Best airport lounges around the world
From New York to Sydney, the airport lounges below offer premium experiences thanks to their great amenities and benefits.
Lufthansa First Class Terminal (Frankfurt International Airport, Germany)
This exclusive lounge in Germany is entirely separated from the rest of the terminal. Here are the benefits you’ll find in this lounge:
- Private security and passport control lanes
- Reclining chairs
- Five private workstations
- A cigar lounge
- Nap rooms with twin-size beds
- Bathrooms and showers
- A bar and restaurant
- Flight displays
- A play area for children
Swiss First Class Lounge (Zurich International Airport, Switzerland)
This elegant Swiss lounge provides a high level of comfort with the following amenities:
- Conference room
- Work areas
- A wine bar
- A restaurant
- Two bedrooms with a double bed
- Tarmac views
- TV screens
- A terrace
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge (Hamad International Airport, Qatar)
This modern lounge with impressive architecture features the following facilities:
- Quiet rooms
- Two dining areas and a bar
- A dessert buffet
- A rest area with a sofa, chair, and screen
- Nap pods
- Showers and restrooms
- A business center
- A kid and game room
- A smoking room
- Lockers
The Pier Business Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong International Airport)
The largest lounge at Hong Kong International Airport is remarkable for the space it offers and its quiet areas.
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- Four areas for food and drinks
- A yoga and meditation area
- 14 shower suites
- A relaxation room
- A business center with Mac computers
- Luggage storage
- Restrooms
American Airlines Flagship Lounge (John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York)
One of the top lounges in the world, JFK’s American Airlines’ Flagship Lounge offers the following benefits:
- A check-in area
- A quiet room
- Shower suites
- A business center
- Phone rooms
- A coat room
- Phone booths
- Unlimited à la carte dining for exclusive customers
- Wall art
- A buffet and bar
- A business center
- Showers and restrooms
- A quiet room
- Newspapers and magazines
- Flight displays
Qantas First Lounge (Sydney International Airport, Australia)
The Qantas hub features an impressive first-class lounge with the following features:
- Floor-to-ceiling windows providing amazing tarmac views
- A library area with books and magazines
- A bar and restaurant
- A business center
- A spa
- Showers and restrooms
- Leather couches and chairs
- Two private offices with a desk, printer, and chairs
As a business traveler, airport lounges are the perfect place to relax before a flight, whether you need to get some work done or simply unwind before take-off. The best option to access a lounge depends on your situation and which benefits you’d like, as well as what’s allowed by your travel policy. Be sure to do some research before choosing.
