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 lounges not run by an airline or credit card company.
Continue reading: What Are Plaza Premium First Lounges, And How Can They Be Accessed?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
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.
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 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!
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sorry yes, you did. I wasn't able to read other comments completely before until I found a navigation workaround.
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.
You forget FCO!
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.
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.
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!
Sorry yes, you did. I wasn't able to read other comments completely before until I found a navigation workaround.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Not the one at Cairo Airport or Mexico City. absolutely horrible ! Even KLIA2 is horrible. London may have some good ones.
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.
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.
The one at FCO also accepts Flying Blue Platinum members flying on AFKL, which is a big benefit in my book.
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.
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...