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 business class airlines, to the best business class lounges, to the best business class seats. In this post, I’d like to share my updated…
Continue reading: The World’s Best First Class Airline Lounges: The Peak Of Airport Luxury
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The fact that the new Air India F lounge in DEL isn’t on the list is pure racism
I know UA J passengers have access to the EK J lounge, but can they pay the $150 to access the EK F lounge, too?
I would rank them like this:
1. Lufthansa First Class Terminal FRA
2. Swiss First Class Lounge E ZRH
3. Lufthansa First Class Lounge K/L (Satellite) MUC
4. Lufthansa First Class Lounge B FRA
5. Lufthansa First Class Lounge A FRA
6. Swiss First Class Lounge A ZRH
7. Lufthansa First Class Lounge A FRA
8. Lufthansa First Class Lounge G MUC
100. Air France La Premier-Inn
Having recently visited the JAL First Class lounge in HND, I would rate Virgin's ClubHouse in London above it and the VS Lounge is a business class lounge. So surely there must be another first class lounge somewhere that's better than the JAL HND lounge.
"it sure would be nice if Singapore Airlines escorted first class passengers to the gate and allowed them to jump the queue,"- you know how arrogant and entitled that sounds? Its a short wait for security at the gate. its not like most places where you are going through security with people from every flight. Its just people getting on your plane and you still get to board before them. You really want to be escorted to cut in front of the people in line who got there before you? If it bothers you soo much then just wait until closer to the gate closing time. By that point people will have all cleared and you can just walk straight on to the plane. Its not like in first class you have to be concerned about getting on board to get baggage space etc.
SQ F lounge is nice but to be honest Singapore airport is such a joy to explore and has soo much good food that I only spend a fraction of my time inside the lounge, but the in air product of SQ F is excellent everytime. The FCT in Frankfurt is alright. I found it to be a let down after all the blog hype. Have been there multiple times. The people in the lounge are nice, however when I was there the beds were always occupied, they were out of the whiskeys I was looking for, the food was ok, and they don't sell single cigars so unless you want to buy a box you better bring your own to use the cigar room. Yea its nicer than many lounges and is fun to be driven to plane but beyond that I could take it or leave it. If staying in Frankfurt the first class drop off terminal is nice, but I always found the in air F product of LH to be sorely lacking. I enjoyed the Pier more when it came to the in lounge experience.
The newly opened Encalm Xenia at DEL (although a contract lounge) is up there as well. With a full private bedroom, excellent food and alcohol and complementary spa
Great list, Lucky.
Next time you swing by the LH FRA First Terminal, try eating there. The food quality has deteriorated quite a bit. The staff is outsourced. It seems that they’re cutting some corners.
Who would have thought, given the CEO isn’t exactly a customer-experience fan (or expert, or someone who cares) . Still a nice lounge.
The JAL First Lounge at HND is pretty underwhelming, IMO.
I'd put the Qantas First Lounge LAX and BA's Concorde Room at LHR ahead of it. Possibly the Chelsea Lounge at JFK T8 as well.
Play of words of the hotel chain Premier Inn? Guess what - jokes on you - most awarded hotel chain globally as of this year. Egg on your face.
6 out of 10 on the list are Asian carriers. It might be that Ben has not visited that lounge yet. It might be that Ben has visited that lounge and ranked it #11. I don't think your conclusion is fair.
As the Qantas LAX lounge is singularly uninspiring, to say that you would rank it above anything is making a statement.
@Eskimo -- Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Premier Inn hotels. They account for the majority of my stays when I'm in London, UK. Great beds. It's mainly a play on words
Would be interesting to see a historic ranking as well, e.g. the old TG F lounge (including spa), or best outstation F lounges, SQ F SYD, LH F BOS, etc.
I went back and re-read my comment and apologize as it was a little much.
I shouldn't have said "absolute expectation" and I more meant that it is a "nice-to-have".
Play of words of the fake Eskimo? Guess what - jokes on you - most awarded name globally as of this year. Eskimo on your face.
Play of words of the fake Eskimo? Guess what - jokes on you - most awarded name globally as of this year. Eskimo on your face.
Very much hoping Swiss will offer me an affordable upgrade to First this week on my ZRH-YUL leg so I can experience the lounge. I have tried both the LH first class lounges at FRA and MUC in recent years and preferred the former.
Albeit I haven't visit all of your TOP ten Lounges I rank up untill now MUC & ZRH as my favourites.
The AF I haven't visited because I was never an AF freak. Happens rarely but as soon as I know I have to transit CDG there is nothing that can make me feel good. This is the most horrible Airport I have ever been. I almost would consider LHR as a paradise as a comparision.
Are you sure you're talking about the overrated Changi?
I'd rather spend time in the Private room.
I think AA/BA have done an excellent job at JFK T8 with Chelsea and Soho. Ironically, Chelsea (the actual First lounge) doesn't get the view; while, Soho (elevated Business lounge) does. Bah!
True! This is not rested as you're not real Eskimo, aka fake Eskimo.
Thanks fake Eskimo for taking the bait and admit it.
I have not visited that lounge but will say that Germanic food is its own thing. Even Michelin-starred restaurants in the Germanic world are a very different experience. It's a matter of personal taste -- no pun intended.
This posts suggests you’re quite out of touch with F lounges in the last couple of years Ben. A lot has changed and I don’t think desktop reviews really cut it when you’re making a big song and dance about why your opinion matters more than others…
I can assure you Al Safwa no longer ranks in the top 10 (repulsive microwaved food, extremely cheap wine, chaotic and disorganised staff, long waits for showers). EK’s F lounge - despite being too busy and soulless - still has much better food and the off-list wine will blow any other lounge in the world away.
JAL’s HND lounge is also very mediocre. I’m not sure why you think it has a place here as it’s more akin to a solid J lounge with nice curry and decent sushi.
I’d suggest you replace these two with the QF F Lounge in Singapore and the Chelsea Lounge in JFK.
Oh, Tony, bless your heart for crawling out from whatever economy seat you've been stewing in to play armchair expert. You think you're dropping truth bombs on Ben's lounge rankings? Spare me the lecture from someone whose idea of "research" is probably a single layover where the free pretzels ran out. You're so out of touch with what makes a lounge elite that your suggestions scream "budget blogger with a grudge."
Let's dismantle your hot mess of a critique, point by point, because apparently, you need a desktop review to understand why Ben's opinion forged from actual global travel, not your one-off whine-fest—carries more weight than your irreverent fanfic.
First, Al Safwa in Doha: You call it "repulsive microwaved food, extremely cheap wine, chaotic staff, and long shower waits"? That's rich coming from the guy who'd probably rate a gas station lounge five stars if it had Wi-Fi. Recent visitors and experts beg to differ—it's still a top-tier contender for its cathedral-like architecture, private screening rooms, duty-free bliss, and à la carte menus that outshine most airport slop. Sure, it's not perfect on peak days, but "no longer top 10"? That's your inconsequential opinion trying to pass as fact, Tony—like mistaking a bad day for a bad lounge. Ben's got the track record to call it as a standout; you've got... what, a grudge from a delayed shower?
Then EK's F lounge: "Too busy and soulless, but better food and off-list wine"? Congrats on noticing the wine—must be a first for you. But soulless? That's code for "I couldn't handle the crowds of actual high-flyers." It's a powerhouse for a reason: innovative à la carte, premium pours that do indeed eclipse the competition, and an energy that says "global hub," not "nap pod for complainers." If that's your idea of a knock, you're just exposing your low bar.
JAL's HND lounge "mediocre, akin to a solid J lounge with curry and sushi"? Oh, please. You're the one who's mediocre here, Tony—an inconsequential nitpicker with undescended little grapes masquerading as a critic. That lounge is a serene masterpiece: impeccable service, authentic Japanese fare (yes, including that killer curry and sushi), and a design that whispers luxury, not screams for attention. It's earned its spot in top lists because it delivers quiet excellence, not your chaotic expectations. Downgrading it to "J-level" just shows you've never appreciated subtlety over spectacle.
And your "replacements"? QF F Lounge in Singapore—great, but it's more flash than finesse, and already on plenty of radars without your endorsement. Chelsea at JFK? Solid new addition with that killer Champagne bar and cozy vibes, but it's got staffing hiccups and zero natural light—hardly a slam-dunk swap for proven icons. Ben's list isn't a democracy; it's curated from boots-on-the-ground expertise you clearly lack.
Tony, your post isn't insight, it's an irreverent tantrum from someone who resents that Ben's voice echoes farther because he's earned it. Stick to your microwaved opinions and leave the rankings to the pros. Next time, try visiting more than once before you "assure" the world of anything. The rest of us will keep flying first while you simmer in steerage.
Ben, how about adding a top 10 premium economy airlines review or more reviews of PE? Sorry for asking you to suffer in PE a little bit. Thanks.
You have accepted complimentary La Premiere flights from Air France including lounge access. Then you rank them #1. Your credibility of reviewing Air France products is compromised.
Other ‘1990’: Was that an inadvertent name choice, or were you pulling an ‘Eskimo’/‘Jessica’ and purposely doing duplicates/impersonating? Not a bad comment. Honestly, something I’d probably say anyway. Bah!
I very rarely travel in first class, however I definitely do have extensive experience of business class lounges (whether as a ticketed passenger or status holder).
If the FCT that I visited a few months ago with its vile ALRIGHTY* coffee (compared to Lavazza for J/SEN), crappy Balmain toiletries (instead of L'Occitane) and 'healthy' nut paste full of sugar and cheap 'cocoa' (more like lecithin)- and no labels indicating their presence- is the world's second best F lounge, I have zero interest in bothering with the rest of them.
* That's the actual name of the roastery and definitely not my opinion of the quality of their products.
@Icarus, it's still public transport- and some of us may feel awkward getting people to help us jump the queue in a public facility just because we are a good customer of a private business using it. That's obviously very different from using a designated fast track lane for premium pax [or indeed a VIP terminal].
Not only is the JAL First in HND underwhelming, in a recent visit I realized that they managed to ruin the previously-nice First lounge in NRT as well. Their new design concept feels like a cheap cafeteria.
There is a little 'sleeper' in the lounge rankings, it's not huge or grandiose, has restricted opening times (no breakfast), but...has great food, beverages and is batting much higher than expected, so try the Finnair Platinum Lounge (non-Schengen) and while there sample the Kygo G&T.
Ben this is the real deal rankings. No need to say “trust me.” Just because an article in CNBC or WSJ surfaces we know how inaccurate they are.
I’ve been to 2 , 5, 7 , 8 , and 10 (a few times ).
Enjoying a cigar for 70 minutes at Lufthansa FCT lounge and Emirates First in Dubai were amazing before departing for a luxurious first class flight.
Having dining service breakfast at the Qantas Lounge with stunning views of the tarmac with the Sydney skyline was breathtaking.
The JAL Sakura at HND with copious amounts of sushi and well polished atmosphere.
Al Safwa I was too jet lagged connecting through but Q Suites was the best flight I’ve ever experienced. Better than LH F and Emirates F.
Exceptional experiences.
He was rating them #1 even before those flights, and the lounge is objectively the best one out there, so not exactly the erosion of credibility that you present it as.
No offense. PE is fools gold. As soon as I bring Premium Economy up to an FA who clearly wants to be left alone turns their head and immediately engages in conversation about how demanding passengers are in PE. What’s the problem ? You can afford a business class upgrade ? Doug Parker was a genius for monetizing PE on American. He must have thrown seats out the door of planes to make room in his sleep.
When I fly into FRA from MLA, enroute EZE, I actually prefer walking from the A gates in term 1 to the FC lounge. About a ten to fifteen minutes walk. Very enjoyable. After all, won't be walking much for the 13 hour flight.
For someone with the name fake Eskimo, I assume you'd tried the Fake Eskimo lounges.
I think FCT went downhill from a decade ago. It's still solid and deserves to be up there due to it's multiple amenities and exclusivity.
By the way crappy Balmain?
That's probably why you don't belong in First.
Don't bother the rest of us, win-win.
See fake Eskimo. Now you're beginning to learn something on being me. It took you awhile and A LOT of hint to get it. But every empire begins with a first step, so let's see how far can you go.
Keep it up, still need to prove yourself that your not really that stupid.
Maybe one day I'll retire.
Agree.
PE is the worst that a customer can buy. Hence it's every airline's most profitable cabin.
Customer thinks they're premium, and pays premium for it.
But airline treats you like economy and put a lipstick on it.
Because they were white label rubbish complete with a 'made in China' sticker on the bottle. L'Occitane is on an entirely different level.
You must have hit off day. Wife and I went through it this year, and was great.
Couldn't agree more about Singapore. The fact that (aside from the lounge itself) I received better ground service at SYD on departure than I did at SIN on departure really says a lot about the deficiency that exists in their First Class ground services.
L'Occitane isn't white label, and I certainly don't have a favourite brand of soap, toothpaste etc. The shower gel at Aldi feels higher quality than what they gave me at the FCT.
Lucky, someone mentioned comparison to historical rankings. Do you have your records on that, maybe just as a spreadsheet showing category rankings per lounge as they change over time. Have you seen those videos that animate rankings as they change overtime?
Would be interesting and provide data for flyers and lounge operators alike, especially coming from a source like you. Cheers!
Ben's credibility has been established and reinforced through years of solid, reliable reviews and opinions. Receiving a perk only compromises a person who doesn't have integrity. Also, the AF lounge really is that special. I elongated my stopover to get two meals. Just wonderful.
For me, the Emirates DXB lounge doesn't suffer because of its size, but rather because of its offerings. I found food to be meh, and the decor clunky and staid.
I tested all three first, and my ranking is the same as yours, with a clear preference for the "La Première" experience—an exceptional travel memory.
A complete and unforgettable experience. They pick you up from your home or hotel and take care of everything from the moment you arrive at gate E17 at CDG. During check-in, you can enjoy a drink. Then, you're transferred to the main lounge in a Porsche Cayenne where you can enjoy everything Ben mentioned.
At boarding time, the same person accompanies you to the plane in the same vehicle, and you won't see any other passengers besides La Première during your entire time at the airport.
After the flight, the same service is provided by Air France staff. Other airlines offer similar services in certain areas, but never such a comprehensive end-to-end experience.
When I fly into FRA from MLA, enroute EZE, I actually prefer walking from the A gates in term 1 to the FC lounge. About a ten to fifteen minutes walk. Very enjoyable. After all, won't be walking much for the 13 hour flight.
Great list! I'd also recommend checking out the new Korean Air first class lounge that just opened. I was just there last month. Not as many amenities, but everyone gets their own private room and food was fantastic
@ happy_mango -- Yep, really hoping to check that out ASAP, thanks! Happy to hear you had a good experience, sounds better than the old facility.
A major factor in a First Class lounge being crowded is illustrated by the JAL First lounge in Haneda that you mentioned. It is crowded because anyone who is BA Gold or OW equivalent) can use it, even if flying in Economy.
Even BA separates out its First lounge at Heathrow (for BA Golds) and its true First Class lounge (The Concorde Room) for people who actually booked in F.
But at least JAL’s First Class lounge at HND is OWE eligible and you can get your shoes shined!
Experienced Singapore Concierge service this past week. On arrival an agent would take you to connecting plane or lounge (lounge was next to arrival gate). I was leaving airport so no escort for me. When departing Singapore agent found me in Private Room. Escorted myself and 2 others to aircraft in electric golf cart with 2 rows of seats and rear baggage area. Driver raced through concourse, beeping and swerving to get around clueless travelers. Came close to running someone over. Getting driven was nice as my gate was B7, a decent distance from the lounge, but if your gate is next to lounge kind of pointless. Arriving at gate they skip you through the security queue and get you first in line to enter the jetway. Pretty much like Thai buggy in BKK or CX in London buggy from lounge to gate. It's not when you arrive at airport. Starts from the lounge. No complaints.
You’re gonna need to return to HKG, Ben, because the newly renovated Cathay First Class lounge at The Wing is better than The Pier. Will need actual CX F though. OWE won’t be enough. Short haul 773 F counts! They have this cool speakeasy. Of course, 15 minutes complimentary massage never gets old.
Yes totally agree and the food menu is even better than the Pier. Love the airy feel of the Wing First lounge
Ben, you always show the bar and hallway of The Pier First Class (and sometimes the dining room) - all stunning, but the parts that truly look like "home" are the seating areas, a common design feature of all CX lounges, including business class lounges. A triumph of quality design, materials, furniture and lighting, IMHO second to none, including the top three on your list.
Ben, how does the Cathy Pacific HKG The Bridge First Class fit into this ranking? I think the The Bridge and the newly refurbished Wing need a visit .
JAL's lounge should not be on the list. It is not even as good as Qatar's Garden Lounge or Virgin's Clubhouse at LHR. It is rather basic lounge and that red room that you keep posting in every article was unused when i visited the lounge it last September
I was at the JAL first lounge at HND again last month, and I couldn't agree more.
Plus the lounge is "airconditioned" at 27° C, which is pretty awful.
Totally agree with both. Design worthy of a Tokyo 3-star hotel cafeteria.
Adding insult to injury, what used to be one of the nicest lounges in the world - the JAL First Class lounge in NRT - was thoroughly destroyed in the redevelopment, when the business class lounge got the views and the first class lounge got the same cheap cafeteria look overlooking a field of roof a/c units. In my last visit last month even the food was pretty awful.
You’re missing the top 5 entirely: PS MIA/LAX, the Windsor at Heathrow, Dubai Al Majlis, VIP lounge @ Zurich.
Cracking top 10 but not top 5: Chase Reserve Suites, Virgin Royal Box
where's my comment about JAL's lounge?
Obviously, Lufthansa is the best airline in the world
Would be fun to see a post with some “worsts” to highlight why the First lounges at BA, the big 3 Chinese carriers, Thai, Saudia and TAAG don’t make the list!
The Wing First Class Lounge has been actually disappearing as they removed the bathroom cabanas with individual bathtubs, that was such a treat. The refresh looks lovely but is rather predictable.
The best lounge is the one where you have to spend the least amount of time that's humanly possible. I don't need .y hand held all the way from check-in, I don't need a golf buggy, I don't need dinner & a show, I want to arrive at the airport, complete the tedious formalities, and get underway ASAP.
You must add the newest Iberia Emerald lounge that is pre-opened for selected Iberia Club members Platinum Prime and Infinita, for try before the opening on September 10th, the did a great job here and the food selection is superb, have a try we you pas by Madrid next time.
Where’s my comment questioning the objectivity of the AF review?