The quality of airport lounges can vary hugely, depending on where in the world you are, who can access the lounge, etc. Airlines and lounge operators try to find all kinds of ways to differentiate their lounge experience, and one of those ways is with complimentary spa treatments for guests.
In this post, I’d like to provide a rundown of what I’d consider to be the best complimentary spa treatments you’ll find in airport lounges. I’ll rank them roughly in order of quality and availability. If I get any details wrong or there are any good ones I’m missing, please let me know, and I’ll update the post.
As you’d expect, a good number of lounges offering these services make my list of the world’s best first class lounges and the world’s best business class lounges.
Qantas First Class Lounge (MEL & SYD)
Qantas has spas in its first class lounges in both Melbourne and Sydney. In these spas, passengers can receive a complimentary 20-minute treatment, with the choice of a facial, a neck and shoulder massage, a hot stone back massage, or a foot massage. These treatments are lovely, and I’d say that this is the nicest complimentary lounge spa treatment environment you’ll find anywhere.
Treatments are available on a first come, first served basis. Qantas first class passengers can generally reserve treatments by email the day before travel, while other guests (including oneworld Emerald members) can inquire about availability when arriving at the lounge.
Chase Sapphire Lounge (LGA, PHL, & DFW)
The network of Chase Sapphire Lounges keeps growing, and three of the locations — at Dallas Fort Worth, New York LaGuardia, and Philadelphia — offer complimentary 30-minute facials from Face Haus. There are a variety of treatments to choose from, based on your skin needs.
Treatments are available to all guests on a first come, first served basis, and can be reserved through your smartphone by scanning one of the QR codes in the lounge. Admittedly given the limited window with which these lounges can be accessed, plus the amount of demand, actually snagging an appointment isn’t easy.
Air France First & Business Class Lounge (CDG, JFK, LAX, & LHR)
Nowadays, Air France is the only major airline to offer complimentary spa treatments to both its first class and business class passengers. The airline has spas in Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and London and they’re available on a first come, first served basis:
- The Air France Lounges in Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and London, have spas in partnership with Clarins, offering complimentary 20-minute face treatments to Air France business class passengers, as well as Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members; treatments include jet-lag relief, detox time, and eye-mist
- Air France first class (La Premiere) customers passing through Paris receive a complimentary 30-minute treatment, with more options available; this spa is in partnership with Sisley
Cathay Pacific The Pier & The Wing First Class Lounge (HKG)
Cathay Pacific has spas in both The Pier First Class Lounge and The Wing First Class Lounge in Hong Kong. In these spas, passengers can receive a complimentary 15-minute treatment, with the choice of foot reflexology, a head massage, a neck & shoulders massage, or an eye revitalizer. While the environment isn’t as nice as in the Qantas First Lounge, it’s still a lovely experience.
If you’re flying in Cathay Pacific first class or are a Cathay Diamond member, you can make a reservation in advance through the manage booking function (on the website or app). All others (including non-Cathay Pacific oneworld Emeralds, if eligible for access) can reserve treatments on a first come, first served basis.
Etihad First Class Lounge (AUH)
Etihad Airways has a spa attached to its lounge complex at Abu Dhabi Airport. While any passenger can pay for a treatment, complimentary treatments are available to select passengers.
Passengers traveling in The Residence can receive a complimentary 30-minute facial, or two 15-minute treatments. Meanwhile first class passengers and Etihad Guest Platinum members receive a complimentary 15-minute massage or other treatment. Appointments are generally pretty readily available, in my experience.
Emirates First Class Lounge (DXB)
Emirates offers first class passengers in Dubai a complimentary 15-minute treatment. The spa is actually located just outside the first class lounge, and sometimes I’ve found it’s tough to get an appointment without a lot of advance notice, so make sure you request one as soon as you arrive in the lounge.
There are several options to choose from, including a back massage, leg & foot reflex therapy, a head massage, a body stretch, or a hand massage. While this is better than nothing, personally I think a bit more effort could be put into making the experience more spa-like, as the whole thing feels a bit like an afterthought.
Encalm Xenia Lounge (DEL)
The Encalm Xenia Lounge Delhi is a phenomenal contract lounge, and all guests are entitled to a complimentary spa treatment, as there are two massage chairs in a private space.
Guests can choose to either have a foot massage or a head and shoulder massage. I believe officially the massage lasts 10 minutes, though when I visited, mine lasted for closer to 20 minutes. Treatments are available on a first come, first served basis.
Delta One Business Class Lounge (JFK)
The Delta One Lounge New York JFK is one of the best lounges in the United States, and it offers many amenities. Among them is a complimentary spa treatment in the wellness area.
Treatments are available on a first come, first served basis, and anyone with access to the lounge can get a treatment. Treatments last 10 minutes, and include an eye treatment, a hand and arm massage, and a shoulder, scalp, and temple massage.
The Coral Finest Business Class Lounge (BKK)
Thailand is known for massage, and the airport in Bangkok is no exception. There are several Priority Pass lounges in the terminal that are branded as The Coral Finest Business Class Lounge, and they all offer complimentary 15-minute shoulder massages.
These are available over select hours, on a first come, first served basis. I can’t think of any other “proper” Priority Pass lounges that consistently offers such a perk.
“Be Relax” airport spas with Priority Pass
While not a complimentary spa treatment with an airport lounge, I think it’s worth calling out how many “Be Relax” spas at airports participate in Priority Pass. There are a few treatments to choose from, including a 10-minute foot massage, or a 15-minute lounger massage.
Note that since this is considered a Priority Pass experience, so if get your Priority Pass™ membership through select credit cards, you may not be entitled to this.
Bottom line
Airport lounge operators try to find all kinds of ways to differentiate themselves, and one of those ways is to offer spa treatments. There’s not much rhyme or reason as to which lounges offer these, but you can expect to find them in some lounges operated by Air France, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Etihad, Emirates, Qantas, and Chase. If there are any other good ones I missed, please let me know.
What’s your favorite airport lounge spa treatment you’ve had?
So how much should you tip at "Be Relax"?
Let's get some collective consensus on this.
I've been able to message the Timeless Spa at DXB and make a reservation ahead of travel - the trick is knowing which concourse your flight will depart from otherwise you may have a good hike from A to C! Granted, I wanted to pay for an hour long massage - to which they will add the 15 complimentary minutes (as an EK F pax). I've found their massages to typically be of good quality over the years.
FYI, the Sapphire Lounge SAN also has complimentary spa treatments (mainly a facial I believe). I’m guessing there are others that offer.
Don't forget the Centurion Lounge in MEX offers 30 minute facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures.
What is the tipping etiquette for these treatments? It must depend on the country I am sure, but generally do you tip?
Probably not ‘enough’ but at least a “thank you” seems appropriate.
Am I the only one that finds this kind of lounge amenity gimmicky and not worth the hype it receives???
It’s the equivalent of shoppers standing in line for hours on black friday to save $30 on a new toaster.
Sorry, I don’t want a “toaster” of that quality and $30 savings isn’t worth the time and hassle required to get it….
Come to think of it… that is starting to be my take on the whole credit card lounge experience.
"Am I the only one that finds this kind of lounge amenity gimmicky and not worth the hype it receives???"
No, you're not. I'm sort of there with you, however when one looks at the whole appeal of the first class (or business class) experience, it adds a certain Je n'sais quoi (<--yes, I just did that) and a box to tick for the sales pitch and/or the relating of one's story of first class...
"Am I the only one that finds this kind of lounge amenity gimmicky and not worth the hype it receives???"
No, you're not. I'm sort of there with you, however when one looks at the whole appeal of the first class (or business class) experience, it adds a certain Je n'sais quoi (<--yes, I just did that) and a box to tick for the sales pitch and/or the relating of one's story of first class luxury, etc.
I'll confess to having had a few treatments at the AF LP lounge, but at this point I'm just over it and don't do them anymore; I've also never been a big fan of spa life/living in general.
For me, if I want a massage or a facial, it'll be done by a naked daddy named "Daddy" and it won't include a massage. :)
Willy! “Yowzers!” :)
Willy's willy gave "daddy" a facial.
The KLM non-Schengen lounge now offers complementary 15 minute treatments for Ultimate passengers. Includes massages, pedicures, manicures, facials, etc - basically any service in the lounge spa (paid for all other passengers)
I've never been to a complimentary spa. Some days, I could really use compliments. Especially if they are free.
Question about the first picture in this post: Why are three tomato slices about to get a massage in a Rainforest Café?
LOT Polish also offers a 30-min facial treatment in their Warsaw lounge
This is always pointed out each and every time he runs this article but it’s ignored.
He recycles the post but purges the comments.
Great topic, and helpful overview. CX F lounges (especially the newly-renovated The Wing!) are great for this (if there's availability). DeltaOne at JFK is often too much of a wait; though, the massage chairs at the LAX D1 T3 are quite nice. Wasn't even aware of the Qantas First SYD spa, so as a OWE in J, soon-ish, I'll have to try that; wish LAX QF F was open and something similar. Hadn't even considered...
Great topic, and helpful overview. CX F lounges (especially the newly-renovated The Wing!) are great for this (if there's availability). DeltaOne at JFK is often too much of a wait; though, the massage chairs at the LAX D1 T3 are quite nice. Wasn't even aware of the Qantas First SYD spa, so as a OWE in J, soon-ish, I'll have to try that; wish LAX QF F was open and something similar. Hadn't even considered the Sapphire lounges, because of what Ben mentioned (limited time, usually.)
With QF SYD, just remember that QF F pax are always put at the head of the queue, so it can be a real crapshoot for OW emeralds in terms of getting treatments, so be sure to set expectations accordingly.
Noted and thank you for that heads-up. (Got lucky at HKG, but, depending on time of day, might not even get your 15-minutes, there.) Always safe to set low expectations, regardless. Better to be pleasantly surprised.
QF spas also open prior to flights with F only. So basically OWE can get it but would unlikely ever get it.
Mumbai the Adani Business Lounge offers 15 minutes complimentary and the First Class Lounge offers 30 minute complimentary massage.