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 wanted to provide a rundown of what I’d consider to be the best complimentary spa treatments you’ll find in airport lounges. First let me cover the bad news, which is that the number of lounges offering these kinds of treatments has decreased considerably over the years.
In this post:
Airport lounge spa treatments are limited nowadays
Unfortunately you won’t find nearly as many airport lounges offering complimentary spa treatments as in the past. In some cases, spa treatments were cut at the start of the pandemic, but those changes were made permament.
The following airport lounges no longer offer complimentary treatments:
- The Thai Airways First Class Lounge Bangkok (BKK) used to offer complimentary hour-long massages
- The Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Narita (NRT) used to offer complimentary mini-massages
- The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London Heathrow (LHR) and New York (JFK) used to offer complimentary massages or hair services
- Multiple British Airways Lounges at London Heathrow (LHR) and New York (JFK) used to offer complimentary massages in partnership with Elemis
- Multiple Etihad Airways Lounges at Abu Dhabi (AUH) used to offer complimentary massages or shaves
Unfortunately these are all a thing of the past at this point, and there’s no sign of these services resuming. If that changes, I’ll be sure to report back!
Airport lounges offering spa treatments
With the (sadly) long list of lounges no longer offering spa treatments out of the way, let’s talk about those lounges that are still offering these kinds of services. 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.
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)
The network of Chase Sapphire Lounges keeps growing, though arguably the best lounge so far is the location at New York LaGuardia. The lounge offers complimentary 30-minute facials from Face Haus. There are a variety of treatmetns 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.
Air France First & Business Class Lounge (CDG & JFK)
Nowadays, Air France is the only major airline to offer complimentary spa treatments to both its first and business class passengers. The airline has spas in both Paris and New York, and they’re available on a first come, first served basis:
- The Air France Lounges at JFK and CDG 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-must
- Air France first class (La Premiere) customers receive a complimentary 30-minute treatment, with more options available; this spa is in partnership with Sisley
Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge (HKG)
Cathay Pacific has a spa in its The Pier First Class Lounge Hong Kong. In this spa, 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.
Treatments are available on a first come, first served basis, and anyone with access to the lounge can get a treatment. This includes oneworld first class passengers, as well as oneworld Emerald members.
Oman Air First Class Lounge (MCT)
Oman Air’s first & business class lounge in Muscat has a spa in partnership with Shangri-La, offering a variety of spa treatments. All passengers in the lounge can pay for a treatment (you can find the spa menu here), though first class passengers receive a complimentary 15-minute treatment. You can also book a longer treatment, and then just pay a discounted price.
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.
Amex Centurion Lounges (DFW & MIA)
The Amex Centurion Lounges in Dallas and Miami offer complimentary 15-minute massages or manicures to guests. As you’ll notice, a vast majority of the above lounges are for international premium passengers, so this is a nice perk for credit card holders. However, getting an appointment can be challenging at times.
Priority Pass lounges Bangkok Airport (BKK)
Thailand is known for massage, and the airport in Bangkok is no exception. There are several Priority Pass lounges in the terminal that offer guests complimentary 15-minute massages, including the Coral Finest Business Class Lounge and the Turkish Airlines Lounge. These are available over select hours, on a first come, first served basis.
“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
While some airport lounges still offer complimentary spa treatments, unfortunately the list is much smaller than pre-pandemic. Many airlines cut these treatments at the start of the pandemic, and then viewed it as a good long-term cost cutting opportunity.
Fortunately some lounges operated by Qantas, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Oman Air, Emirates, Chase, and Amex, continue to offer some lovely treatments. If there are any other good ones I missed, please let me know.
What’s your favorite airport lounge spa treatment you’ve had?
Centurion Lounge in CDMX also offers complimentary massages and manicures. In Terminal 2 (International) I believe.
Ben
GVK First class lounge in BOM offers a 30min foot massage on a first come first serve basis. I believe also the business class lounge offers something but much shorter.
Normally it’s quite a pleasant way to kill some time before the late night flight back to Europe…
How annoying! Of all the times I have done the AF business lounges at GDG, with way too much time on my hands, has there been any suggestion that there may be a complimentary Clarins treatment!
I am aware that Clarins are there, but assumed any of their services were paid, and expensive to boot.
Typical of AF to tell you nothing.
The newly-opened Delta One Lounge at JFK has three 15 minute treatments with Grown Alchemist therapists: a) an eye treatment, b) hand and arm massage; c) shoulder, scalp and temple massage. Waiting time can be long but some people inevitably drop off the waiting list so the times usually improve.
Plaza Premium First in KLIA also provides 15 minutes complimentary massages. It's not heavily advertised. If they're free they might come and ask you, else it's best you ask.
The Centurion JFK has complimentary targeted massages available that are co-branded with Equinox, along with some leg compression sleeves from Normatech. Their hours are quite varied, though, probably because of limited masseuse availability
This hasn't been available in quite some time.
Never really got the point of a 15 minute treatment. It's a gimmick at best. Nice the first time you fly a premium cabin. Never worth bothering after. Would prefer most of these were replaced with a proper spa menu you could prebook for 60-90 mins pre flight.
Express messages are quite common in Asia; you can find white collars going for them during lunch or as part of a haircut in major cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong, where time is at a premium.
It’s not a full massage but it’s better than nothing and great for injecting a bit of energy into a long day.
If anyone will be in the AF LP lounge next week, I’ll be there on Thursday. Look for me, I’m loads of fun.
These are not free. You have to pay gratuity. New York City spas have begun asking for 30% gratuities. It’s unfathomably stupid. However, a spa treatment is fully discretionary.
You’re saying you have to pay gratuity for a spa treatment at airline lounges?
Do tell, which ones?
All of them. It would be classless not to pay a gratuity to somebody who provides you a personal service.
Most of the civilised world is not the USA where people expect a tip for doing their job.
“It would be classless not to pay a gratuity to somebody who provides you a personal service.”
Tell us you have never left the USA without telling us you have never left the USA.
Anywho, you may want to inform the rest of the world about your made up gratuity rule. Be sure to include Australia in your memo.
You miss LOT lounge in WAW.
So how much is 30% of a free treatment?
Answer: zero!
Of course in the US, home of tipping, the service provider will no doubt be pretty brazen about informing you of their expectation for said service.