Best Airport Lounges
What better way to start any trip away, whether leisure or business, than to be met directly outside the terminal building with your car, proceed straight through security, then relax in the tranquil environment of an airport lounge?
Recent research published by airport lounge card, Priority Pass, revealed that nearly two thirds (59%) of frequent flyers consider access to a premium airport lounge to be an ‘important’ or ‘very important’ factor when selecting an airport, with 40% admitting to going straight to the lounge and avoiding the shops altogether.
But what is an airport lounge? Is an airport lounge only available for VIPs? No, anyone can use the facilities of an airport lounge if they are given access and a ticket to get in.
What are airport lounges?
There are two different types of lounges; pay per use which is a premium lounge available for all travellers no matter what airline you are flying with or what type of ticket you hold and there are airline lounges which you must have a business or first-class ticket with a specific airline to gain entry.
Some frequent flyers with specific airlines can also gain access at airport lounges as can customers signing up to the right credit card. Travellers with an Amex or Mastercard may be paying an annual fee for airport lounge privileges and certain bank accounts (RBS, NatWest, and Barclays) have airport lounge access in the UK.
Booking airport lounges
An airport lounge offers a secluded getaway to escape the crowds of the airport terminal building and you have the opportunity to relax in comfy lounge armchairs for up to three hours before your flight.
Most airport lounges offer a complimentary choice of hot and cold freshly prepared food and have a fully tended bar serving complimentary beers and wines. They also offer free snacks, magazines and newspapers and usually have some great views of the runway.
The atmosphere in an airport lounge is generally calm and quiet and they typically provide separate areas for working and browsing the internet. Most airport lounges have business facilities including wireless broadband so ideal for the business traveller to make use of the time waiting for your flight.
Gatwick Airport Lounges
Gatwick Airport is one of busiest in the UK and escaping to the peace and quiet of the several airport lounges that Gatwick has to offer gives you the opportunity to chill with a drink and rest before your departure gate is called. The No. 1 Lounges situated at both the South and North Terminal and My Lounge and Aspire Lounge at the North Terminal are all great for children too. They will be kept entertained with special areas where they can watch TV, browse the internet or play on a games console.
Heathrow Airport Lounges
Heathrow airport has some incredible lounges and will definitely guarantee a relaxed, peaceful and luxury retreat from the hustle and bustle of the terminal buildings. No. 1 Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Club Aspire Lounges, Sky Team Lounges are situated in the various Heathrow passenger terminals. Some Heathrow airport lounges even offer single and twin pod bedrooms, each equipped with their own private bathrooms.
Stansted Airport Lounges
The Escape Lounge at Stansted Airport will offer you a warm welcome if you are flying out of the fourth busiest airport in the UK. The lounge is well equipped for business travellers with free wifi access, work spaces and charging points.
Airport lounges can often fill up quickly so pre-booking as early as possible is advisable. So, whether you are travelling for business or leisure put the chaos of the airport behind you and get your trip off to a very relaxed start with I Love meet and greet and an airport lounge.
By Sarah Anglim at 11 Jul 2017