Ways to enter airport lounges without a business class ticket

As the number of people traveling by air continues to rise, airports are becoming increasingly congested. A recent survey conducted for The Independent shows that more and more passengers are starting to share Jean-Paul Sartre’s sentiment that “hell is other people” and are opting to pay for access to a lounge before their flight.

What is the allure of paying £30 or £40 – potentially exceeding the price of your flight – for the encounter? These are the important inquiries and responses.

A “departure lounge” is a general phrase used to describe the spacious waiting area near the boarding gate for your flight. Airport lounges, on the other hand, are more exclusive spaces that often offer complimentary food and drinks, ample space for relaxation, and an area for work. Some may even have a great view of the airfield.

Many travelers view a lounge as a refuge from the chaotic crowd, providing a feeling of tranquility in contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

According to a survey on X (previously known as Twitter), 27 percent of the more than 13,000 participants reported paying for a lounge during their most recent trip through a UK airport. An additional 24 percent stated that they received complimentary access to lounges.

Some lounges are better than others, and the most luxurious ones are operated by airlines for their high-ranking passengers, known as CIPs. The very first one was established at what is now New York’s La Guardia airport in 1939 by American Airlines. British Airways opened its first Executive Club at London Heathrow in the early 1980s, initially for Concorde passengers.

To access them, you can either purchase a business or first-class ticket or achieve a high frequent-flyer status by spending a significant amount with the airline. This status is typically recognized within the Oneworld, Skyteam, and Star alliances.

In several regions, purchasing entry to an airline lounge is not an option. However, in the US, I have spent approximately $60 (£50) to gain access to lounges for American Airlines and United during extended layovers.

Except for The Gateway at Gatwick, which is managed by No 1 Lounges for easyJet, budget airlines typically do not offer pay-per-use lounges (although they do offer access for purchase as ancillary services). Passengers flying on discounted tickets with traditional airlines like British Airways are also unlikely to have access unless they have earned elite status, usually through frequent business travel on BA or its Oneworld partners.

One possible solution is to purchase access to a lounge. In the UK, the most affordable option I have come across is £18.99 per person, assuming two people are traveling together, at easyJet’s The Gateway located in Gatwick North Terminal. This price is for the first hour; two hours costs £22.99, and three hours costs £27.99 per person.

Gatwick Airport, known for its budget airlines, offers five pay-per-visit lounges at the North Terminal and four at the South Terminal. It also has dedicated lounges for British Airways and Emirates.

The usual cost for a two to three hour stay at the 1903 Lounge in Manchester airport is between £30 and £40, with a charge of £50 if you arrive more than 2 hours and 30 minutes before your flight. The lounge promises to provide exceptional attention to detail, sophistication, and exclusivity. Guests can enjoy high-quality food and drink options in a meticulously designed lounge that aims to enhance their perspective on the world. Champagne is available and the lounge boasts a stunning view of the airfield.

The upgraded Clubrooms at Gatwick North cost £45. This package includes priority access through security (usually £7) and features “Hosted table service, a wider selection of complimentary food options, and cocktails”. Children under 12 are not permitted, and the dress code does not allow for tracksuits or sports team clothing. The Clubrooms are only open from 6am to 2:30pm, which coincides with the majority of flight departures from the Sussex airport.

The availability of this service may vary depending on the lounge’s policy or level of occupancy. No 1 Lounges provides “guaranteed delay cover” which allows passengers to remain in the lounge until their departure time.

Kathy Lewis, one of the fans, mentioned that they prioritize comfort, peace, and minimal noise when attending events. She also noted the availability of nice restrooms and unlimited food and drinks, along with WiFi. She believes that this offer is worth the price, especially when compared to the high costs of food and drinks at the departure lounge.

Hannah Rostill stated: “In July, during the first week of school holidays, I took my grandson to Crete by flying from Bristol. Knowing how crowded it can be, I made a reservation for a lounge. It was definitely worth it as we had a reserved table instead of having to search for seating. The extra cost was well worth it.”

Ian Naylor stated that the lounges in the UK are less than satisfactory when compared to those in other countries. He described them as being filled with children and individuals who are attempting to consume excessive amounts of alcohol and low-quality sausages within a limited time frame.

Shaun Sayers discussed the idea that these places may not be as peaceful as they used to be, Simon. The last time I visited one, it felt more like a family-friendly pub with endless bowls of soup.

I have a yearly membership fee of £650 for my American Express Platinum credit card. One of the main advantages is the inclusive global travel insurance, as well as complimentary entry to over 1,400 airport lounges in over 140 countries worldwide through the Priority Pass program.

In general, this is effective. However, as the lounges become more popular, there are times when I am unable to enter: at Toronto and Atlanta, the wait time was so long that I would have missed my flight.

When purchasing directly from Priority Pass, there are three membership tiers available:

I have a preference for Wetherspoons, whether I am at the airport (past security) with a great view of the airfield at Stansted, or on the other side (but near the departure gates) at Gatwick South. A cup of tea or coffee with endless refills is priced at £3.25.

Chris Dunn expresses his enjoyment of being in the busy atmosphere of the main airport, particularly at Dublin airport where he could relax with a pint of Guinness at the gate. However, this does not hold true for gates operated by Ryanair, based on his personal experience.

Day rooms at airport hotels provide another possibility. The DayUse site sells a stay at the Delta by Marriott close to Edinburgh airport for £61 for two, including pool access.

Some airports, especially Madeira, have such amazing views from their outdoor terraces that it would be a shame to stay indoors.

These services are primarily for CIPs traveling on long-haul flights. Another option is to book a day room at an airport hotel, such as Ibis Styles at Birmingham airport, which costs £55 for two people.

I am not a strong supporter of lounges that do not serve alcohol, and the one at Antalya airport in southern Turkey was especially unenjoyable. At the new and modern airport in Berlin, I was informed that my card was not valid for the designated lounge. However, I was able to use a QR code to purchase a beer and a sandwich (both of which were actually very good) from the airport cafe.

Best: Until British Airways wisely kicked me out of Silver membership of the Executive Club because I wasn’t spending enough on flights, I really enjoyed BA’s Heathrow Terminal 5 lounges: an excellent selection of food and drink and good working areas. But the very best was Japan Airlines at Haneda airport in Tokyo, a blissfully calm space with great showers and unlimited sushi.

Instead of just trusting my opinion, let’s see what the experts have to say. Rhys Jones, from the website headforpoints.com, shares his advice on what to do when the cost of a ticket is not a concern: “In the United Kingdom, we have a large number of lounges, particularly at Heathrow Terminal 3.”

“My personal favourite is Cathay Pacific’s First Class Lounge which has spectacular views across the airport and features an intimate dining room serving Asian and Western favourites.

“If you’re looking for top-notch coffee, we suggest checking out the Qantas lounge. However, if you’re in search of the best business-class lounge in the UK, Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse is still the top choice.”

“My all-time favourite lounge in the world has to be Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong. This beautiful facility ticks all the boxes, from fantastic a la carte dining to beautiful showers, relaxing spa treatments and stunning design.”

Head for Points offers a comprehensive selection of evaluations for lounges in the UK.

Source: independent.co.uk