It's one of the least appealing aspects of travelling the world, but transiting through the airport need not be uncomfortable nor inconvenient. In fact, if you have access to one of the latest incarnations of plush airport lounges, it can be a positively pleasant experience. From private suites and spa treatments to chef-designed catering and even games rooms, some airport lounges are so swanky these days, you might even find it hard to leave. 

Read on to see some of the finest and fanciest airport lounges around the world...

Why end a luxury break in the Caribbean at a busy, stuffy departures lounge when you could check into a VIP Lounge at Punta Cana International Airport? These two pay-to-use lounges take the edge off the disappointment of leaving this idyllic isle, with complimentary food and drink, and ample soft seating.

Expect all the usual facilities, such as free wifi and shower rooms, as well as plenty of magazines and newspapers to keep you occupied. Come boarding time though, you'll be wishing you were delayed, as both these lounges come with very special features...

They boast the only outdoor airport lounge pools in the world, positioned on sun terraces overlooking the runway. The first infinity pool opened in 2017, and another bigger pool followed in October 2023 in a newer lounge across from Gate 30. It's a truly special way to end a week or two in the Dominican Republic. You better hope your flight is leaving from Terminal B...

If you're passing through Dallas, the American Express Centurion Lounge makes it very difficult to continue with your onward journey. This lounge really goes the extra (air)mile for its customers. Forget the sad buffets of other airport lounges – here there's an a la carte menu designed by James Beard award-winning chef Dean Fearing, with dishes like vanilla French toast for breakfast or Texas mole for dinner.

Plus, cocktails are designed by one of America's top mixologists, Jim Meehan (we'll have the white mimosa, please) and wines are selected by expert Anthony Giglio. Expect the finest prosecco from Italy and malbec from Argentina.

Spa treatments are by Exhale and usually include manicures, deep tissue massages and hand massages – perfect for unwinding before or after a long flight.

Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse oozes fun and funky style, and we'd expect nothing less from one of the coolest airlines in the business. The striking red ball sofa is an excellent place to relax with a drink, and you'd be hard pressed not to fall asleep in some of the body-hugging soft seating.

If you didn't bring a laptop or book, have no fear – there's a pool table to keep you entertained and TVs all around. And for dinner, you can dine from the a la carte menu with options like vegetable masala and pan-fried sea bass.

 

Dubai – a destination synonymous with luxury – has a few fantastic airport lounges, but the Emirates First Class Lounge on Concourse A is by far the best. This is the national carrier's home, after all, so they've gone all out with amenities and that classic luxury decor, with plenty of gold tones and rich wood.

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Of the three Emirates First Class lounges at Dubai airport, the space on Concourse A is the biggest and most impressive – it spreads across the floor above the entire departures concourse, meaning you're unlikely to get bored. There's a cigar bar for drinks as well as some of the best cigars in the world, and a la carte and buffet dining options.

Daybeds make for excellent napping spots, or just offer some quiet time before you fly, and the direct boarding from the lounge is a huge plus. But the clincher here is the wine cellar. Not only can you usually drink fine wines and Champagnes in this lounge, but you'll also get a rundown of what's in the cellar from an expert, who can recommend the perfect bottle to purchase.

Cathay Pacific is a five-star airline and its First Class lounge – The Pier at Hong Kong International – really reflects that. Not only is there a la carte dining and a help-yourself pantry for snacking, there's an elegant bar with green onyx walls and walnut wood panels.

But the best thing here has to be the day suites. Each one has a privacy curtain, a large window with a runway view and a soft daybed for a snooze before you fly.

Plus, there's typically a personalised massage service for pre-flight pampering, and fancy toiletries and fluffy white towels in the shower rooms, some of which also have baths for a seriously luxe soak. What's more, a serene Sanctuary room is custom-designed for yoga, meditation and therapeutic stretching. 

 

Forget the First Class Star Alliance lounge and head straight for Business – this is by far LAX's best space. This huge lounge rarely feels overcrowded thanks to its plentiful seating – including soft chairs and dining tables.

There's usually a decent buffet spread, a big bar area and an impressive wall of wine from which you can choose your favourite tipple. But the highlight here is actually outside...

The best thing about this lounge is its outdoor terrace, where guests can watch the planes on the runway and enjoy the last few bits of SoCal sunshine before take-off. 

At its base in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Air France has created a spectacular and delightfully relaxing place to while away your wait. The restaurant in the La Premiere lounge is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, who has crafted a fine dining menu accompanied by exceptional French wines.

Even the mineral water selection is special, with high-end brands like Fiji and Voss on offer for guests. There are small business booths with work stations for anyone wishing to knuckle down, and plenty of soft seating to stretch out on.

Relaxation is taken seriously here too – there's plentiful space to chill out plus daybeds that come with plush pillows and blankets. The spa typically offers massages tailored to the needs of frequent travellers and there's a signature Sisley beauty area offering botanical treatments. You may not want to board the plane after an hour or two in here, although Air France does have a fabulous First Class cabin, so it's not all bad once you leave.

Lufthansa's First Class Lounge is known for its exceptional food, with a range of hot and cold dishes, and a la carte dining. There's a lot to love about this place, with its private cubicles ideal for working in and fantastic views of planes taking off.

There are nap rooms where you can snooze on a proper bed with white sheets and a pillow, plus fantastic bathrooms where you can have a soak and enjoy some of the luxury toiletries.

For smokers, a cigar lounge is the highlight. Here you can enjoy a classic combination: a glass of whisky and a high-quality cigar. When it comes to boarding time, you might even be lucky enough to get picked up in a limousine and taken right to the plane on the tarmac.

 

For British Airways' First Class passengers, the Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5 is a spectacular place to begin your journey. This lounge quite literally looks like someone's living room, with its funky furniture and bold, statement sofas.

Get your work done in the business centre or if you're after some serious relaxation, grab one of the sumptuous daybeds (pictured) on the terrace, which overlooks the departures terminal with views of planes in the background.

The restaurant serves excellent British cuisine, from Scottish salmon to Yorkshire cheeses, and guests can enjoy complimentary Laurent-Perrier Champagne.

Channel your inner sci-fi nerd at this one. If you've ever wanted to spend time in the mess hall of the Starship Enterprise, or sit on the bridge of a spacecraft and give orders like a true captain, this might just be the lounge for you. Located at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, the EVA Air Infinity lounge looks positively futuristic.

You won't find any evil Klingons here though. Instead, it's all smiling staff and sumptuous luxury. Expect plush leather seating, showers and plenty of drinks and snacks. Enjoy a drink at the bar and tuck into delicious Chinese and Western food.

The main lighting installation even changes colour to add to the futuristic experience in this intriguing lounge, which overall is a welcome departure from many of the basic interiors of classic airport lounges.

 

British Airways moved its New York JFK airport operations from Terminal 7 to the upgraded Terminal 8 in 2023, replacing its old lounge with a pair of swanky new ones – the Chelsea Lounge and the Soho Lounge – shared with American Airlines and reserved only for the most exclusive customers.

The top-tier Chelsea Lounge is designed to be pure luxe, with the finest furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and high-end amenities. There are marble bathrooms with showers and luxury toiletries to freshen up and a softly lit area with chaise longues where you can take a rest.

A separate eating area offers all-day dining featuring traditional British fare such as afternoon tea, and the cocktail bar serves up delectable drinks on request – Krug champagne included.

Virgin’s exceptional Clubhouse at Heathrow Terminal 3 caters to passengers flying in Upper Class, Delta One and Club Gold members, who can whiz through security and kick back in one of the Eames-style chairs in the bar area. It’s a great place for celebrity-spotting too – it's a rare day that you’d visit this lounge and not spot a famous face.

 

Key to the lounge’s offering is the food. There's waiter service in the Brasserie, but you can order from the online food and drink menu via the app and have it delivered wherever you are seated in the lounge. Feast on grilled salmon, dig into a tasty vegan burger, or order a hearty vegetable masala curry.

But it’s not all about living life to excess, as Virgin’s lounges are also focused on wellness. There's a peaceful Retreat area, and cycling fans can work up a sweat with the suite of Peloton bikes that also have a fabulous view of the runway, before taking a shower with toiletries provided by luxe brand REN.

Spanning two floors, the luxurious and beautifully-designed Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club inside LaGuardia airport’s Terminal B is more like a five-star hotel lounge than an airport bolthole. Centred on a curved bar, it’s been created with the help of award-winning interior designers Icrave, with artworks hand-picked from the extensive JPMorgan Chase art collection.

The marble-topped bar encircled with velvet bar stools serves up artisanal cocktails by Apotheke, including a signature purple creation. Meanwhile, the fresh seasonal food menu features chef-created dishes from NYC restaurant Joseph Leonard.

 

You can pamper yourself with facial treatments from Face Haus or relax in private rest pods with meditations from Devi Brown. Injecting a bit more fun into airport wait times, the lounge even has its own state-of-the-art games room. Just don’t get too carried away – you might miss your flight!

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