The Best Complimentary Airport Lounge Spa Treatments

The Best Complimentary Airport Lounge Spa Treatments

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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.

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
  • The Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge Hong Kong (HKG) used to offer complimentary foot massages or back rubs; this lounge will be reopening soon, and it remains to be seen if spa treatments will return
  • 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!

Thai First Class Lounge Bangkok spa suite

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.

Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney spa
Qantas First Class Lounge spa menu

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
Air France Clarins Spa New York

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.

Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai (DXB)
Emirates First Class Lounge spa menu

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.

Amex Centurion Lounge Dallas

“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, those who have a membership through American Express or Capital One wouldn’t be entitled to this.

An airport “Be Relax” spa

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, Emirates, 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?

Conversations (15)
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  1. Apu Guest

    GVK Lounge in Mumbai for all J pax (15 min) and F pax (30 min) - just show your BP - nothing else needed.

  2. hartd8 Member

    A recent visit to the Mex-Centurion lounge in MEX got me a have nice shoulder-neck-back treatment....

  3. Felix Guest

    At least one of the Coral Lounges (accessible with PP) at BKK offers complimentary shoulder and neck massages.

  4. Art_Czar Member

    Don't the Virgin Clubhouses in JFK and LHR also offer 15-20 minute complimentary spa treatments? And the Etihad First class lounge in AUH too?

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Art_Czar -- All those lounge spas have closed, sadly.

  5. Sam Guest

    Thanks for putting this list together!

    I think it's important to note that, whereas you are correct that the Air France lounge at JFK partners with Clarins and those treatments are available to LP, Business and Elite passengers, the setup at CDG is different. The Business lounges still partner with Clarins, but the LP lounge partners with Sisley.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Sam -- Excellent catch, thanks. Updating post to reflect that.

  6. Holly Guest

    The leg decompression therapy session at the JFK Centurion was really nice - great before a long haul flight. Also the Zero Gravity massage chair and LED mask at the new Chase Lounge in Boston was great. Make sure they show you how to decrease the pressure on the massage. It's very deep.

  7. Phil K. Guest

    How can you forget the Oman Air first class lounge in MCT? When flying in Oman Air first class you get a complimentary 20 or 30 minute massage on a real massage table. I’m pretty sure you’ve reviewed this product before also.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Phil K. -- I visited the lounges before the spa had opened, though I've heard good things. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the treatments aren't complimentary? At least I see a price list online, which you can find below.
      https://www.omanair.com/storage/SPA-Airport/Oman%20Air%20-%20Spa%20Menu%20EVersion%20-%20Copy.pdf

    2. Concorde02 Guest

      It was complimentary last I visited in January

    3. Phil K. Guest

      I visited in January 2022 shortly after aeroplan became a partner. After entering the lounge I was asked when I wanted my complimentary 20 minute massage. I believe I was also given a spa menu with additional treatments for a charge. I was the only person in the lounge for several hours so booking a time was no problem. I was also escorted to the gate Lufthansa style! I guess you will have to try Oman Air First class again now ;)

  8. Chris Guest

    The new Sapphire Lounge in BOS also offers complimentary spa experiences.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Chris -- Thanks! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the lounge has anti-gravity massage chairs and guided meditation? Perhaps I should have clarified it in the post, but I'm leaving massage chair-style options off this list, but rather just treatments from humans.

    2. Luis Guest

      I recent visited the Centurion Lounge in the international terminal at Benito Juárez Airport in Mexico City, I can confirm they still offer complimentary pedicures and massages, performed by real humans

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Phil K. Guest

I visited in January 2022 shortly after aeroplan became a partner. After entering the lounge I was asked when I wanted my complimentary 20 minute massage. I believe I was also given a spa menu with additional treatments for a charge. I was the only person in the lounge for several hours so booking a time was no problem. I was also escorted to the gate Lufthansa style! I guess you will have to try Oman Air First class again now ;)

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Luis Guest

I recent visited the Centurion Lounge in the international terminal at Benito Juárez Airport in Mexico City, I can confirm they still offer complimentary pedicures and massages, performed by real humans

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Apu Guest

GVK Lounge in Mumbai for all J pax (15 min) and F pax (30 min) - just show your BP - nothing else needed.

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