Typically when you think of contract (non-airline and non-credit card lounges), a high quality experience isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. So in this post, I’d like to talk a bit about Plaza Premium First Lounges, which might just be the highest quality lounge network not run by an airline or credit card company (though I’d say the world’s single best lounge not run by an airline or credit card network is the Encalm Xenia Lounge Delhi, which is on par with some of the world’s best first class lounges).
Most frequent travelers are probably familiar with Plaza Premium Lounges, but what are Plaza Premium First Lounges? Let’s go over all the details, including where they’re located, and who is eligible to access them…
What makes Plaza Premium First Lounges special?
Plaza Premium Group is one of the largest operators of independent airport lounges, and the company is most commonly known for its standard Plaza Premium Lounges, which are pretty average contract lounges. They typically have a self-serve buffet, self-serve drinks (and sometimes a bar), and they can get pretty crowded.
Nearly a decade ago, the new Plaza Premium First Lounge concept was launched, though it has expanded slowly. The idea is that these lounges offer an elevated experience over a standard Plaza Premium Lounge. So if you wanted to compare it to airline operated lounges, think of Plaza Premium Lounges as being like business class lounges, and Plaza Premium First Lounges as being like first class lounges.
Each Plaza Premium First Lounge is different, though here’s what stands out to me most consistently about them:
- Plaza Premium First Lounges are typically less crowded than Plaza Premium Lounges, since fewer people generally have access to them, so you can expect them to not be overcrowded
- Plaza Premium First Lounges have a la carte dining, a proper cocktail selection with drinks prepared by bartenders, barista coffee, and more partnerships with premium brands; manage your expectations when it comes to food, though, as we’re mostly talking about ordering via QR codes, and the quality isn’t necessarily amazing
- Plaza Premium First Lounges generally have elevated decor, and feel more premium than standard Plaza Premium Lounges
I’ve visited several of these lounges over time, and I do find them to be noticeably nicer than standard Plaza Premium Lounges.
Where are Plaza Premium First Lounges located?
Currently, you’ll find Plaza Premium First Lounges at the following nine airports:
- Bangkok (BKK)
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Jakarta (CGK)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Macau (MFM)
- Phnom Penh Techo (KTI)
- Rome (FCO)
- Vancouver (YVR)
The Plaza Premium First Lounge concept only recently debuted in the United States, with the opening of a lounge at Dallas Fort Worth Terminal D (DFW), and soon we’ll see the opening of a lounge at New York Kennedy Terminal One (JFK).
Some of the airports that have these lounges might seem pretty random. For example, I recently traveled through Phnom Penh’s Techo Airport, and that’s not exactly a place where you’d necessarily expect to find a Plaza Premium First Lounge.
I suspect the decision regarding where to open these lounges largely just comes down to available real estate at airports. For example, Techo Airport is brand new, and the Plaza Premium and Plaza Premium First Lounges are located in slightly different parts of the terminal, so I suspect Plaza Premium Group decided it made sense to pick up both lounges spaces, and brand them a little differently.
Who gets access to Plaza Premium First Lounges?
How do you get access to Plaza Premium First Lounges? There’s not necessarily one easy answer, though you can primarily get access in one of three ways:
- You can buy access directly, regardless of the airline or class you’re flying; the cost varies based on the exact lounge and how long you plan to stay, but most locations seem to charge around $70-80 for a visit of two hours
- Some airlines will send their premium passengers to the Plaza Premium First Lounge; it’s most commonly available to first class passengers, but some premium airlines even give their business class passengers access to Plaza Premium First Lounges (for example, Qatar Airways sends its premium passengers to the Plaza Premium First Lounge Kuala Lumpur)
- If you have access to the Plaza Premium Lounge, you can typically pay a reasonable upcharge to instead use the Plaza Premium First Lounge; the cost varies based on the exact lounge or how long you’re staying, but typically you can expect for the cost to be somewhere around $25-45 or so for a visit of two hours (the closer to the United States you are, the more expensive it is)
Keep in mind that when it comes to accessing standard Plaza Premium Lounges, those can typically be accessed with select credit cards, including the Amex Platinum Card, and in some cases, with Priority Pass.
Personally, I’ve found the upcharge from the standard Plaza Premium Lounge to the Plaza Premium First Lounge to be well worth it at airports where it’s available, thanks to the improved food and drinks, nicer ambiance, etc. That of course assumes that you’re looking to eat and drink, rather than just lounge around.
Bottom line
Plaza Premium First Lounges are Plaza Premium Group’s most premium branded lounges. They offer nicer decor, a calmer vibe, and much improved food and drinks. They’re only available at nine airports, and they’re among the most premium contract lounges that you’ll find.
If you have access to a Plaza Premium Lounge, you typically have the option of paying a premium to instead access a Plaza Premium First Lounge. At airports where that’s available, I find it to be well worth it, assuming you value the added perks.
If you’ve visited a Plaza Premium First Lounge, what was your experience like?
There's also one in CPH.
However, I was there for 2 hours, and the entire time they couldn't serve any cocktails because "the barman is waiting at Security".
The food, decor, and (non-mixed) drinks were decent, but c'mon...
I asked the HKG Plaza Premium First if I can pay to upgrade my access from the Regular Plaza Premium, which I had access to, but I was told no. The only option was to buy a full access, not an upgraded one.
The one at FCO also accepts Flying Blue Platinum members flying on AFKL, which is a big benefit in my book.
The Plaza Premium First lounge at CGK is very nice: lots of empty seats, nice atmosphere, small, but fine menu, great service.
Etihad started to send their business class passengers there maybe a year ago.
Plaza Premium First is pretty mid at various airports. EVA sends its passengers to Plaza Premium First at KUL for example, the space isn't super big, the food is average-ish, last I went the drink machine didn't have cooling, so you'd get lukewarm sodas. The facilities aren't great. They're really not that big of a deal.
Not the one at Cairo Airport or Mexico City. absolutely horrible ! Even KLIA2 is horrible. London may have some good ones.
Not sure if this happens in other lounges, but when we visited the Plaza Premium First lounge in FCO they had a separate subsection for people flying in AF La Premiere (and FB Ultimate members) and there was a separate a la carte menu. From what I could see from the other section, the food that we got seemed substantially better
Yes, same in YYZ. Separate section for contracted J flyers vs Priority Pass, etc
We at the FCO branch in late August. One Plus, was being able to access a lounge without a wait. The shower was very very mediocre. Non Alcoholic cocktail options were very good, and very tasty. Buffet food was not great, Ala Carte was equally meh. I was able to visit the ITA Hanger Lounge after the PPF and Ill be honest it was a better experince, with a better bar and better food (tho...
We at the FCO branch in late August. One Plus, was being able to access a lounge without a wait. The shower was very very mediocre. Non Alcoholic cocktail options were very good, and very tasty. Buffet food was not great, Ala Carte was equally meh. I was able to visit the ITA Hanger Lounge after the PPF and Ill be honest it was a better experince, with a better bar and better food (tho not ala carte) I would do it again simply for the ensured access, but it didn't stand out.
Several SkyTeam carriers now send their premium PAX to the PPF in HKG. I recently had access flying China Eastern, China Airlines and Korean Air. (AF/KL send their premium PAX to the far superior Qantas lounge).
While it’s much quieter than the regular PP Lounge, I find the PPF at HKG to be pretty “meh”. They’re small, crowded, average food, and dark. Given how airy and pleasant the main terminal is, I personally prefer to wait there rather than in the PPF lounge
I LOVE the PPF lounge in HKG. Dark? Yup, don't love that at all.
But is has everything else I look for, including obscenely high service levels.
@Wingslover. I agree with you. It can get crowded and the food is not good. The service is very average. It cannot compare to the CX lounges at HK airport but I think much better than the one by Hong Kong Airlines.
I went to the P P First lounge in Vancouver on 28 March 2026. I usually do not drink but this time I ordered a cocktail. In the made to order menu, I do not find any Chinese dishes so I end up ordering Italian dishes. They are good but not as good as I expect. I enjoy lobsters.
Sorry I couldn't respond but the Comments section isn't working, at least not from Italy with/without VPN.
We were in the Plaza Premium (non-First) Lounge at FCO, which we were directed to from the Plaza Premium First Lounge. (It does exist! Here's the link -> https://www.plazapremiumfirst.com/ppf-fco.)
The celebrity who sat next to us is a famous singer-songwriter in France and Italy from the 1970's and 80's. He was a coach on the local version of...
Sorry I couldn't respond but the Comments section isn't working, at least not from Italy with/without VPN.
We were in the Plaza Premium (non-First) Lounge at FCO, which we were directed to from the Plaza Premium First Lounge. (It does exist! Here's the link -> https://www.plazapremiumfirst.com/ppf-fco.)
The celebrity who sat next to us is a famous singer-songwriter in France and Italy from the 1970's and 80's. He was a coach on the local version of The Voice in the past. It seemed to me it was job for the person accompanying him to escort him to the lounge, but nevertheless she seemed to be a fan so maybe she volunteered at the opportunity? Another fan stopped to talk to him, and he responded very kindly.
Long story short it is a pay to play kind of thing which diminishes what they are offering. It is not like premium passengers or elite members agan go. Interesting that you said the price was worth it. ...... I guess it depends on what you are looking for in the lounge.
interesting that you think a valid way to wander through life is to depend on others to decide that you're worthy enough.
This doesn’t align with my experience. I flew Emirates first class from Jakarta. First class passengers get access to the standard plaza lounge, not the first section. When I inquired about the cost to upgrade I was told $95 for 2 hours. As I only had 1 hour until my flight I obviously turned them down. So not sure where the $25 is coming from in your article.
Interesting. Just flew EK F from CGK, and we were granted access to the F section (1 of the three airlines granted access). Flew from CGK before in Jan with CX J and the upcharge is 500,000 IDR. It's fixed for all passengers.
You missed one. There is one at Rome Fiumicino T1 upstairs. My party stumbled upon it in December when looking for the regular Plaza Premium Lounge and the staff kindly pointed us in the right direction. We got settled in and an Italian celebrity sat down next to us!
I pointed that one out but I don’t think Ben reads comments on Shabbos.
Sorry yes, you did. I wasn't able to read other comments completely before until I found a navigation workaround.
@Richard An Italian celebrity at a Plaza Premium First lounge?
Does anyone know if China Airlines sends their premium pax to the First lounge in HKG? Flying them next month and read conflicting info
I was recently sent to Kyra Lounge when flying China Airlines J out of HK. There was a separate part of the lounge dedicated for China Airlines customers with made-to-order food.
@Edd Maybe what Voian wrote is the most recent change and that sounds like a good change. When I flew CI back in late June of 2025 out of HKIA, I was given a list which had access to all of the standard plaza premium lounges as well as the plaza premium first lounge. The transit agent mentioned that I could select any of the lounge from the list. I accessed the plaza premium first lounge without issue.
Thanks both! An area in the Kyra lounge with upgraded food options sounds lovely. Equally, I wouldn’t mind checking out the PP First lounge.
BKK Miracle ?
You mean the lounge operator in collusion with AOT to get rid of airline Priority Pass access?
Ask yourself who gains when your Priority Pass cannot access much better airline lounges.
You forget FCO!