Im an airline product geek, and I like to keep an updated list of some of the best products out there, ranging from the best first class airlines, to the best first class lounges, to the best business class airlines. In this post, I’ll share my favorite business class lounges around the globe — after…
Continue reading: The World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounges: My Top Picks Globally
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Delta One Lounge in Boston is on par with JFK - great food, vibes and cocktails
The service at Delta one lounge at JFK when I last visited on Feb 25, 2026 was despicable. The wellness area staff were plain rude and un-interested in explaining the services offered, the shower area attendants didn’t proactively offer steaming my shirt and the formal dining area staff were cold and sloppy.
Furthermore, vegan (or vegetarian options without eggs) are very limited.
In my personal opinion Delta one lounge at JFK is only above average, and in no way one of best business class lounges in the world! Although high on the list when compared to other lounges in the US…
I'm so glad, you didn't include KLM's AMS lounge. So many bloggers are obsessed with that lounge, and I don't understand why. The selection of foods are just about terrible in all ways. They serve 12 types of bread, but only one single type of cheese, and 2 types of 'ham'. They have a huuuge bar, where you can order either Heineken, or Heineken 0,0%. They serve $4 sparkling wine. They have 19 shower rooms, where even at the opening of the lounge there is an at least 40 minutes waiting time (they only operate about half of the showers). Their shower rooms have no toilet inside. I don't know any single lounge worldwide, where the shower suites lack a toilet. And you know what it means. People use the shower as a toilet. And no, not just for program one. (I've talked about it with a shower attendant end she confirmed it. Look after waffle stomping). Oh, I just hate that lounge.
LOL. They added a small 'dining' area (think of it as a smaller D1 Brasserie knock-off.)
EWR Polaris (LOL) and JFK D1, but no love for Chelsea/Soho at JFK T8... alrighty then.
DOH, DXB, AUH not happening anytime soon (yikes). Fan of QR's Al Mourjan Business Lounge at The Garden. EK J/F lounges need a refresh. Haven't been through AUH, surprisingly.
I think you are missing some other really high quality lounges like ANA at both HND and NRT and SQ at SIN. All better than Polaris.
The Iberia lounge in T4S is surprisingly good and could easily make a list like this. I would say it's better than the TK one as the catering there has fallen victim to the country becoming less secular. You'll struggle to find whisky/spirits in that lounge, and you definitely won't find any jamón!
The LATAM and even Banco Safra (ex *A) lounges at GRU are also very high quality - I'd class them as better than UA Polaris at ORD (I haven't visited any other Polaris ones).
Iberia T4S is reasonable but is a big step behind Cathay, Virgin, Qatar's etc hub lounges
I think latam lounge in Santiago, Chile would be better than at least half of these.
This blog/list always makes me miss the old TK lounge. It was so much better than this one. I've been through the new one countless times now and it's not been an absolute zoo maybe twice.
As much as I love it, Qantas First Class Lounge is not a “business class lounge”.
I really don't understand the inclusion of IST TK Lounge in this list. It's so overcrowded, the seating is horrible, it's loud, and people are misbehaving as if they never had received any upbringing or learned any manners. The food is (sometimes) nice, but then hordes of people will jump up to get a few kebabs, or a handful of pita breads. I find it very very overrated. It's really not pleasent to be there at all.
I haven't been to those other than two visits to the Pier in ca. 2011.
I think that standards and expectations differ by region - e.g. SAA at JNB arguably have the best lounge in the entire continent but it's probably no better than the average airline-run facility in East Asia (e.g. MU at PVG).
Neither Chelsea or Soho lounges are business class.
Chelsea is a first class lounge and Soho is a Oneworld Emerald lounge.
A business class ticket without status doesn't allow you to access either Chelsea or Soho.
I have some sympathy for the naughty people there as some of the connections and flight timings are brutal. However, there's a real capacity issue and the catering has been seriously downgraded over the years.
The recently renovated Polaris Lounge at ORD is pretty nice. The IAH one is probably the worst, but it's still nice to have Polaris vs UA Club.
Re: Delta One putting Polaris *AND* Flagship "to shame" -- yes, Delta One is better than Polaris, but they are competitive. To lump Polaris and Flagship together is just plain wrong; Flagships are nothing special at all.
The Air Canada Signature Lounge IS NOT a lounge, all seating has been removed. It's an overcrowded dining room..
The Plaza Premium lounge next door has closed, and the Air Canada Signature Lounge will be taking over their space.
The Qatar lounge doesn’t deserve a spot on the list. On paper, it ticks every box, but it completely lacks atmosphere and personality. It feels more like a showroom than a place you actually want to relax.
On the other hand, any Cathay Pacific lounge is the exact opposite. They feel warm, inviting, and genuinely comfortable, like you’ve been welcomed home. It’s somewhere you actually want to spend time, not just pass through.
I personally hate the Pier atmosphere.
Always feels like I'm in a basement, maybe because it is a basement.
I second some of the opinions :
Latam lounge (SCL) is way better than some of the lounges on the list , specifically the Etihad one ( mediocre food ) and TK one ( no hard liquor , only wine and beer thrown in buckets on the floor ).
Would you rather go to Delta one lounge or Virgin clubhouse in JFK? I was multiple times in the clubhouse but I never tried the Delta lounge. Am I missing out?
Neither features table service.
And, like suite 'doors' some people are excited by presentations over functionality.
But unfortunately for you, Polaris dining doesn't disappoint and rightfully belong on the list.
JL and NH while both offers great food and very functional, it still lacks other 'fancy' amenities.
Pro Tip: The NRT Priority Pass restaurants are actually pretty good.
The right comparison would be Greenwich which is a little better than AA Flagship lounges. Which sadly is the worst among legacy 3, premium cabin lounge.
I can see why others might enjoy table service, but I don't find that it adds a huge amount of value in an airport lounge context. Having a full sit-down meal might work well before a short overnight flight, but in basically all other circumstances I'd rather spread out in a sofa and occasionally graze on cheese, charcuterie etc.
Having said that, I have no view on the Japanese lounges as it's been a very long time since my last visit, but my latest foray into the Silverkris lounge at SIN left me rather underwhelmed.
Agree, SCL lounge was the best J lounge I've been to without sit-down dining. Excited to visit Lima's lounge later this year
The Delta One Lounge in JFK easily beats most of these lounges. The food in the restaurant is outstanding, service is quick, and the personnel are fantastic.
In France, it wasn't (isn’t?) unusual to see low star hotels that oferred rooms with:
1. No ensuite/shared bathroom
2. With toilet but no bath/shower (shared bathing)
3. With shower but no toilet (shared toilets)
4. With full ensuite
We all know that many bought 3 knowing they could add as many ones or twos they wanted without paying for a 4.
Just curious have you ever touched on the unusually strict restrictions on Air Canada Signature Suite ? For example if I book an award seat (on AC metal) thru United, I wouldn't get access.
Yeah, it’s super tight. Even if you book a business rewards ticket with Aeroplan, you only get access if it’s a flexible (i.e. refundable and most expensive) rewards ticket.
The only one on the list I have visited is Vigin's LHR club. It was nice....to be clear....very nice, perfectly nice for what it cost me (in my case, DL J ticket). By this, I'm not suggested that it should be ranked lower. I just think that lounges are, in general, overrated. I only paid for TWA lounge access (what? seven, eight years ago :). Now, it comes with my fare or I don’t. To be frank, when I fly w/o lounge access, I want it. But, I'm smart enough to know it makes more sense to buy a nice snack/meal/etc. and hang out at a "quiet" seat while watching downloads on my tablet. It reminds of my youth, pursuing women who gave me crappy trearment, but I wanted her attention. That is lounge access: you just want to be respected.
Lots of airports don't have decent seating areas for pax. I very much agree there's no real need for a lounge if you just turn up 90 minutes before departure and have to spend over half an hour on the formalities, but metal seats and €6 coffees aren't any good for getting through a 4+ hour connection.
Although not a hub lounge, DL Sky Club in HND is really nice, on par with the CX lounge above. One of the best business class lounges in Japan for sure.
I would still put it higher than TK IST lounges.
And Hiro definitely never been to JED lounge. Name 20 business class lounges better than this. I can name 10 but not 20.
I'd second that. I actually liked the Etihad lounge, but the Latam at SCL is better.
Also, don't think much of the EWR Polaris.
Good list. Would put Singapore’s flagship up there with the lounges above in Istanbul, Newark, Abu Dhabi myself.
As fun and beautiful as the LHR Clubhouse is, I think the food is subpar; some weird offerings on the menu. That said, the deli has upped their game and has some great healthy options too.
LOL, when will people realize.
Everything SQ and SIN is underwhelming.
They over sell everything. And influncers does nothing to put a realistic view on a very overrated brand, product and airport.
It's still super fancy on paper and staged photo shoots. It's also very good and solid product. Just not as fancy as what normal people would experience.
Oh, ANA HND? This lounge is lacking everything for me. Super poor selection of food (I mean many Priority Pass lounges have much better selection), totally crowded, no view, uncomfortable seating and waiting times for shower are in hours…for me one of the worst flagship lounges.
With SQ SIN I agree, it is one of the best and I would always rank it above TK IST.
The Al mourjan lounge was style over substance. Looks pretty but theres not much beyond that.
Al Mourjan is quite nice but the seating is a bit odd and uncomfortable. I found the Al Mourǰan south to feel rather humid due to its proximity to the garden.
Agree with your take on Polaris Lounge - it's great - but the Washington Polaris Lounge and the expanded Polaris in Chicago are my faves of the ones I have visited. Also - the sushi at the Delta One LAX lounge is some of the best I have eaten!
“It feels more like a showroom than a place you actually want to relax”
This is a pretty apt metaphor for the entire country of Qatar.
I've been to three of these: CX in HKG, UA Polaris in EWR and the TK lounge at IST. I'm trying to think if I've had other lounge experiences that were demonstrably better or equivalent. Maybe SQ at SIN T3. Not the most exciting lounge with bad showers but solid food and otherwise alright. NH lounge at HND is decent but little wow factor to make a top 10 list.
Having been frequently in this lounge until I finally got a grip and started boycotting Qatar (hunt the gays), I have to agree. I was blown away by the architecture, but I found the buffet at any time to be style over quality.
Used the Korean 'Miler' Lounge in Incheon twice last week. It's also signposted as a First Class lounge however I was only in Business Class and don't have any particular Skyteam/KE status, so assume can be considered as a Business Class lounge. It's a delight, 5 start hotel level food and bar service, live cooking stations, amazing décor, and wonderful Korean service.
Good list. D1 is really taking it to the next level and it’s almost stunning to see a domestic airline undertaking the transformation they are.
To nitpick, I’d rather see them remove the paid wine and cocktails menu away entirely and offer whatever they feel they can afford do offer gratis. I think it cheapens the experience to ask customers to break out the AmEx do get something better than well or call liquor or a decent wine.
Still, LAX and JFK both phenomenal.
Been to many on the list. Of those my ranking would be Al Mourjan, D1, Polaris EWR, Turkish.
I also think the Turkish Airlines lounge at IST is misplaced. The IGA lounge at IST is possibly better, but also highly overrated. I easily prefer AA’s FL and SoHo lounge at JFK (Bollinger, taproom, good wine, and stylish bars), or the QF lounge at LHR. If nothing else for the delicious eggs benny.
Yolo, I guess, but that's fairly semantic. Like, Delta doesn't have 'First' class lounges, and D1 isn't explicitly 'business'-class-only; like, 360 members can access it, generally, even if in Economy on a domestic US-flight.
Sure, Eskimo, Greenwich may be the comparison; is it better than Polaris or D1? Meh.
Four points on the Air Canada Signature Suite.
1) As noted above, the lounge seating was removed and replaced by tables to expand the dining area. I presume this was to meet demand for dining, but it does mean that if you have some extra time to kill you can't liberate your table after eating.
2) I believe Emirates first class pax have access to the YYZ Signature Suite. AFAIK this is the only partner airline whose pax get in.
3) It's very small, but perhaps with the expansion suggested above this will allow for a variety of improvements such as showers, some lounge space and maybe even access for top tier loyalty members (Super Elites).
4) The Signature Suite in YVR is superior. It has has a nicer vibe, and windows, but also as a lounge-within-a-lounge (upstairs inside the Maple Leaf Lounge), it means you have access to showers and general lounge space downstairs.
I think it's telling we don't see any Lufthansa or Air France lounges on this list, and rightfully so because their J lounges are not that good. Both of these carriers, however, deliver very competitive F lounge experiences.
If I had to fly transatlantic in J, DL and UA present very compelling offers nowadays, with their J lounges, nice seats, UA's exceptional wine list, etc. Don't forget a decade ago, we all tried to avoid flying any U.S. carrier longhaul.
The Turkish lounge should not be on any top 10 list, unless the list is for the most overcrowded business class lounge, the most overrated lounge. You get the drift.
Think Air India's New Delhi lounge should be in this Top 10 list.
Did you visit the new Air India lounge on the business class side at Delhi? How does that compare?
Agreed on Al Mourjan Garden at the top (it has a little gym, too!) Disagree on EK's lounges, since they're past their prime (DXB is due for a refresh; if the drones don't strike it.) Quite the snub on promoting United's EWR Polaris, but not Delta's JFK D1 (or LAX/BOS) or AA/BA's Chelsea/Soho... CX at LHR T3 is also pretty decent for a J lounge, if it isn't packed. I liked ANA's lounges at HND. I know some won't agree, but I'm still a fan of KLM's Crown 52. As much as I am no fan of Erdogan, TK has done a good job with the new IST (I just wish you didn't have to bribe the attendants for a daybed.)
Greenwich is the "business class" lounge not Soho. So those are out of scope.
And Greenwich is just a typical Flagship lounge with maybe a bit extras from specialty area that isn't open all day.
I have to admit, I haven't checked DXB for a while and would like to see what EK has done with the drones. EK seems out price the rest of ME3 lately.
Delta was the first one listed, so hardly a snub. Soho is reserved for top tier OW status and first class (with specific AA/BA customers afforded access to Chelsea). That said, I found Soho very underwhelming on my recent visit.
avgeekagent, thank you for pointing that out. Huge 'whoosh' on my part. Yikes.
Eskimo and avgeekagent, yes, I am well-aware of the distinctions with Soho/Chelsea, but, still feel they're business/first lounges, regardless of the technicality; meanwhile, yikes, Greenwich definitely should not be on the list of 'great' lounges. Okie, so Ben was right, after all. Good list.
Finally the overrated SQ lounges are gone.
There is also Saudia JED lounge that is underrated and could possibly make the list.
Good point. I was trying to think, huh, what's missing here. SIN T3 SQ removed!? "Yowzers!"
I was at the Signature Suite for the first time a few months ago, and I was really impressed for a J lounge. This could easily be an F lounge if it had showers and day rooms. You get access with an LX F boarding pass. I was told it does get packed later in the day (LX leaves at 5 pm). Would love to have one in YUL.
Also wish the Signature Suite had showers but at least in Toronto it’s pretty easy to walk over to the (nice) MLL and take one
What's also notable is the increase in "non-status" business class lounges. On this list, over half of these require an actual business class ticket, not just frequent flyer status.
There seems to be an increase in need for segmentation beyond generic status lounges and true business class ones.
I found Al Mourjain South to be a bit too humid, as it overlooks the Orchard. It's also not as architecturally interesting as the original.
Emirates with a Costa Cafe. Costa is perfectly fine, however inappropriate in a lounge ?
The heart button doesn't work anymore. Heartbreaking :'(
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Agree on both Delta One at JFK and the LHR Virgin Lounge at LHR. Both have great food, service, and neat atmosphere. Too bad the rest of the Virgin lounges are not that great - but at least at JFK you can skip the Virgin lounge and have access to Delta One through Skyteam.
I’d rate the ORD Polaris lounge over the EWR one, given the face lift and renovations it received.
Yes agreed - I would even rate the IAH Polaris Lounge on par with EWR at this point mostly from a crowding perspective.
Though EWR Polaris is great if you are either the very last flights out, or say the morning Tokyo flights where it is near empty.
Another interesting list you could do: the best outstation lounges (for both first and business class).
I actually prefer the Qatar garden lounge because of the views. Also has a gym but not well equipped.
Delta One at JFK and Polaris at EWR have been too crowded and noisy whenever we've visited (admittedly, usually during the early evening rush hour). I'd rather have a quieter calmer lounge, even if the food, etc. were not quite as good.
agree about the crowds - esp late afternoon - with all the flights both airlines fly across the Atlantic
@Ben - I just talked with a close friend who visited delta one lounge JFK last week, whom also visited it closer to opening. He was quite vocal about how much the lounge had changed (negative) since his first visit… at least soft product and service.
It might be worth a re-visit to ensure your review is still accurate.
Have you been inside The Garden by EVA in Taipei? It's a Diamond Member exclusive. They have Din Tai Fung dumplings.
@Henry So, you should ask Ben to do a separate article. Your mentioning of the Garden Lounge by EVA does not apply to Ben’s Best Business Class Lounge article as it is not a standard business class lounge. It is only for people who are most loyal to the airline. And seriously, if I want something from Din Tai Fung I would just go its many restaurant locations to have a more expansive menu rather than through this EVA lounge who probably just reheats those juicy dumplings in a microwave.
Of the lounges mentioned I have been many times just at TK Istanbul.
It is very nice, yes, but I find food and service slightly better at SQ Lounge Changi Terminal 3.
Also, United Polaris at SFO last month was a total - positive - surprise.
Maybe not one of the best overall, but I would say that Starlux T2 Galactic lounge in Taipei has the funkiest interior design while being perfectly fine in all other aspects. They went all in with the Start Wars aesthetic. Shower room doors alone are worth the visit.
I find the Turkish lounge in IST highly overrated. It’s much too crowded. It’s a complete zoo! There is no chance to enjoy one’s time there. Seats are not equipped with any tech. I’m relatively often passing through IST and after 30 minutes in that lounge I’m usually so annoyed that I leave.
Maybe not on the level of “amazing “ but I really like the Star Alliance lounge in CDG (non-Schengen)
Virgin's Clubhouse in London is my favorite. Their afternoon tea at the lounge blows away high priced afternoon tea in London.
Delta One JFK lounge has much nicer staff than United's Polaris lounge at EWR, who are borderline rude. I'm a recovering 1K.