I’ve published my lists of what I consider to be the world’s best first class lounges and best business class lounges, and I’ve also shared what amenities make an airport lounge good. In this post, I thought it would be fun to be a bit lighthearted, and share some of my favorite airline lounge amenities.
I’m focusing specifically on unique or over-the-top offerings that are in a league of their own. I’m avoiding things like complimentary lounge spa treatments, which are awesome, but which I’ve kept a separate list of. Rather, I’m talking about features that stand out from the competition, no matter how major or minor.
With that in mind, below are some of my picks, in no particular order. I invite others to share their favorites as well.
In this post:
Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki sauna
I love when airlines integrate their local culture into the passenger experience, and that’s something Finnair very much does in Helsinki. Finnair’s Platinum Wing Helsinki, along with a couple of other lounges at the airport, offer a sauna that passengers can use prior to their flight.
That sure is a unique amenity, though admittedly it’s not going to be everyone’s vibe for a pre-flight activity. Note that one of the Air France lounges in Paris also has a sauna, though it seems like Finnair deserves the mention here, given to what extent it’s part of Finnish culture.
SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich bedrooms
While several airport lounges have nap rooms, SWISS’ First Class Lounge Zurich takes it to the next level, with its two private bedrooms. The bedrooms feature heavenly beds from Hästens, a TV, a private bathroom and shower, and views of the apron.
Not only will you not find a more comfortable bed at any other airport, you might not find a more comfortable bed anywhere! It’s like sleeping on a cloud. The only problem with sleeping is that you can’t enjoy the plane views from bed.
Qatar Airways First Class Lounge Doha hot tub
Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa First Lounge Doha has a spa with treatments that are chargeable. However, one feature that’s included is the hot tub, which guests can enjoy on a first come, first served basis. This is a fun amenity, though for us germaphobes, it’s perhaps a bit less fun when you consider how many of us have sat in the same spot here.
Qatar Airways Business Class Lounge Doha gym
Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Garden Business Lounge Doha has several impressive amenities. Personally, my favorite unique amenity is that the lounge has a small gym, which has cardio equipment, and a limited selection of free weights. There’s even a locker room next to it, so that you can easily shower and change.
Now, given what an amazing facility Hamad International Airport is, my preferred cardio is just roaming the terminal, at least during non-rush hour periods.
SWISS First Lounge Zurich terrace
There’s something really nice about getting fresh air while traveling by air, especially if you’re connecting between flights. So we’ve seen an increasing number of airport lounges offer outdoor terraces, though my absolute favorite is at the SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich.
There’s a lot of seating, and the views of the apron and runway couldn’t be better. For plane spotters, it’s an absolute paradise. In summer the airline even tries to even offer a special experience out there, with ice cream and other seasonal treats. Admittedly the lounge terrace trend is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s something that Delta seems to offer in its lounges whenever possible.
Lufthansa First Class Lounge ducks
Over the years, Lufthansa has developed a unique tradition of offering a rotating selection of rubber ducks at its First Class Lounges in Frankfurt and Munich, as well as at the First Class Terminal Frankfurt. This started innocently enough back in the day, when the airline just put rubber ducks next to its lounge bathtubs. However, over the years they’ve become a collectors item, and the airline has really embraced it.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai direct boarding
For many people, boarding can be the most stressful part of a flight. Even if you have lounge access, you typically have to leave the lounge to get to your gate. Emirates has sort of redefined that concept, as the Emirates First Lounge Dubai in Terminal A (as well as the Emirates Business Lounge) span the entire length of the concourse, and offer direct boarding from the lounge to the aircraft. The scale of these lounges is simply unrivaled.
Emirates also offers boarding directly from the lounge at several of its outstation lounges, like in Milan and New York. However, it’s not quite to the level of what you’ll find in Dubai.
British Airways First Wing London security
There’s something to be said for how easy an airline makes it to actually get to the lounge. For those with access to the British Airways First Galleries Lounge (oneworld Emerald members have access to this), the British Airways First Wing offers a private security checkpoint that gets you straight into the lounge, so it’s tough to beat the convenience of that.
Admittedly this isn’t the only priority checkpoint like this in the world, but I do think it’s one of the most useful ones, and it’s perhaps the aspect of the ground experience that most sets British Airways apart from the competition in the region.
Air France La Premiere First Class Lounge immigration
Air France’s La Premiere first class ground experience is the best in the world on balance, bar none. It really feels more like private aviation than commercial aviation, given the extent to which you’re looked after every step of the way.
However, perhaps the single most seamless aspect of this is how if you’re landing in Paris and are terminating your travels there, you can clear immigration without even getting out of the car. Essentially, you’re picked up plane side, then you’re driven by the La Premiere Lounge for entry formalities (without exiting the car), and then you’re dropped off immediately in the La Premiere arrivals lounge area, where you can enjoy a meal, exit the airport, etc.
Bottom line
There are lots of exceptional airport lounges out there, and I wanted to call out some of the airlines that have raised the bar when it comes to unique lounge features. These aren’t necessarily my favorite lounge amenities in the world, but rather they stand out for how they’re different or better than others.
I’m sure there are some others I’m missing, so I’d love to hear what you think the most memorable lounge amenities are. Admittedly we’ve seen some cool amenities cut over the years, ranging from the Etihad First Lounge Abu Dhabi’s gym, to the Etihad First Lounge Abu Dhabi’s barber shop, to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London’s hair salon.
What are your favorite, unique airline lounge amenities?
Zurich non-first class lounge also has the same great patio. Update the post so people don't miss it and thanks for the list! Would prefer a biz-class only list as I fly biz about 100x more often than I manage to get into 1st. Lucky you :)
The sauna at the Air France lounge in terminal L has closed in permanently. I was just there. It closed in January. I was looking forward to it. Bummer!
Turkish Airlines domestic lounges have a standalone entrance with direct bus to the plane in several airports. (IST, SAW, ADB, ESB) which is a huge timesaver. Kind of unique process and worth mentioning.
How does la premier immigration work for ees? There is a machine in the car?
Lounge terraces are definitely not unique to airline-operated facilities. In the past couple of months, I've visited an excellent terrace with loungers at Barajas T1 and a smaller [but still very pleasant] one at DUS. Both are standard contract lounges, I accessed them with my BP- one through status and the other as I was flying upfront- but I'm sure they also accept Dragonpass, Priority Pass etc.
How does Air France La Premiere First Class Lounge immigration work? You mention "clear immigration without even getting out of the car" > for EES that can't work unless they have portable scanners
Hookers and blow? No? They're missing a trick there.
I look for a lounge to be functional and not find the only seats would require me to sandwich myself in between a family. Most lounges are glorified gate areas with free cheap booze and Wawa like food.
There he goes again... sh*tting on Wawa... *sigh* (George, they have good sandwiches!)
Well, I guess George is not going to get goose for Xmas acting like that. But I do like having Duckies in lieu of being at the Peabody.
Yeah, airport gyms even for a significant fee would be amazing. At least as long as they have proper barbells and a squat rack. Bonus points for combining that with a sauna :)
Not much love for LH here, private immigration also exists at the LH FCL MUC, and hot tubs (really bathtubs with bubble function, but what is the differences) at all the real LH first class facilities. Similarly, the LH Bistro Lounge in...
Yeah, airport gyms even for a significant fee would be amazing. At least as long as they have proper barbells and a squat rack. Bonus points for combining that with a sauna :)
Not much love for LH here, private immigration also exists at the LH FCL MUC, and hot tubs (really bathtubs with bubble function, but what is the differences) at all the real LH first class facilities. Similarly, the LH Bistro Lounge in Frankfurt has direct boarding, although in a fun twist LH itself basically never uses those gates, just Discover and Sunexpress.
Chris,
LH has private immigration when departing, but not at arrival.
ANA lounge at HNL has direct boarding. While the lounge itself is a bit behind Emirates...
Yeah, sauna is 'nice,' but if Finnair let's you down... (say it with me...) you get stuck... in HEL!
At this point, why not just book a night at an airport terminal hotel and use it for a few hours?
I would add the mini spa at LOT’s Business Lounge in Warsaw; had a great complimentary 30-minute facial a year ago and the esthetician even gave me sample products.
Is that in the Schengen lounge or the one after passport control? I used both recently and did not see anything like a mini spa.
@Jerry, it was in the Schengen lounge (I was flying to Geneva); you can see the info on the spa Relax Spot by PHENOMÉ on LOT’s website and it seems it was part of the lounge remodeling that was done last year so should be even better now. Enjoy on your next trip!
This article basically sums up why Lufthansa is the way it is today.
Every other airline: unique, useful amenities that provide value to travelers
Lufthansa: some random toy duck that costs 5 cents to manufacture
Somehow, these are all very equivalent and comparable, which is why Lufthansa things is can get away with its mediocrity.
The Delta SkyClub offering a shoeshine station is more valuable than this.
Hmm. Most biz travelers I see wear shoes that don't need polishing. Don't tell me, you are one of those who still wear wing tips.
Well it's a cute list, and helps support the blogger by getting clicks. But just gushing over how cool each lounge is, it's not terribly useful. How about providing some actionable details, like: exactly what it takes to qualify for entry to each of them? That would actually be useful, rather than just gratuitous and self-serving.
If only there were hyperlinks provided by said blogger that you could click on that would take you to said blogger’s review of the lounge which contains “actionable details” such as “exactly what it takes to qualify for entry”. If only.
I would add the LaTam lounge in SCL. They have the sleeping pod rooms, decent wine and selection of food.
“There’s something really nice about getting fresh air while traveling by air, especially if you’re connecting between flights. So we’ve seen an increasing number of airport lounges offer outdoor terraces, though my absolute favorite is at the SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich.”
There’s an idea for an article in this: a list of lounges with outdoor terraces. Perhaps you could also throw in airports which have publicly accessible outdoor terraces in the secure area.
Which Switzerland also comes in as one of the best. It even has a playground.
I am surprised that a full airport gym has never been done before. With many people having several hour layovers in gyms, I'd think that'd be pretty popular. I know I'd love to do more than just cardio by walking the terminals.
Not sure if it’s still there, but there was one in BWI when I was flying out of there regularly. Was inconvenient in its location and not many lengthy connections in that side of the airport.
It was done before at LAS. Closed last year though.
There is a Goodlife Fitness at YYZ T1 pre-security.
SAS had a gym in its Oslo lounge a while back. The problem is not many people are carrying gym gear in their carry on, nor have long enough for a meaningful workout and shower.
It didn’t last too long.
There is also a gym in DXB directly below the Emirates lounges in Concourse A.
A full summary of all the gyms in major airports would make a great OMAAT article - especially as Ben already makes a point of explaining gym facilities in his hotel reviews.
As long as you take shower when finished.
Clearly, in two decades of travelling at the behest of my masters, by transiting directly to/from the airbridge by car (without going land side), one has missed many airport amenities.
Thank you Ben and others for wetting my appetite to the joys of land side facilities.
Well, nice list! I’ve enjoyed 7 on the list
And would have enjoyed the Swiss lounge terrace & peek at bedroom if selling the house and escaping DC had not caused canceling that trip.
My new ‘home’ airport CID is completing a terrace Great views of the Prairie Heritage landscape
The Helsinki sauna was on a mileage run on new AA flight over July 4th holiday years ago. Partied with same crew over...
Well, nice list! I’ve enjoyed 7 on the list
And would have enjoyed the Swiss lounge terrace & peek at bedroom if selling the house and escaping DC had not caused canceling that trip.
My new ‘home’ airport CID is completing a terrace Great views of the Prairie Heritage landscape
The Helsinki sauna was on a mileage run on new AA flight over July 4th holiday years ago. Partied with same crew over and back!
Enjoyed HKG Cabana a few times since first RTW trip in 2013
At Dubai, I also enjoyed free foot massager and attempt to ‘clean’ my New Balance 990s.
Once snagged a few Ducks at FCT unattended shower registration desk and shared with FAs who were thrilled!
Safe travels!
Yikes. Miscounted. I haven’t done that biz class gym lol
In ZRH you can get directly form the check-in hall into the First Class Lounge A going through a special First Class security and when they drive you the First Class E you go through a dedicate passport control.
Mumbai used to have free foot massages in their business lounge. Stopped when a new operator took over the operations there.
Cathay's Wing First lounge is closed for renovations until mid-2026. There are nicer-but-smaller showers at Pier First in the meantime.
VS Clubhouse at LHR also has outdoor terrace. A shame it no longer has massage sessions. And plane spotting at LHR is in a different league from what you will see at Swiss location.
What about the Cigar Lounges at LH?
That sounds revolting.
I seem to recall Ben mentioning a cigar lounge (enjoyed by his father I think) in the Emirates first class terminal in Dubai.
Hamburg Airports Senator lounge is an average LH Lounge, but it offers a really nice outdoor terrace to eat, drink and chill. And of course for planespotting, which is unfortunately limited in variety in HAM.
Hamburg Airports Senator lounge is an average LH Lounge, but it offers a really nice outdoor terrace to eat, drink and chill. And of course for planespotting, which is unfortunately limited in variety in HAM.
There is also a sauna in the Air France lounge in concourse L.
You should try the JAL First Class Entrance. But limited to bona fide first class passengers on JAL.
The BA first wing is a mess. Any first class check in that regularly requires tensa barrier snakes should really not be on a list like this.
Not true. From recent personal experience, one world emeralds can use it as well.
Hmm. Seems clear from their website that it’s intended for first class only (“Exclusive to First Class passengers on JAL flights” and they say that their OWE equivalent tiers cannot use it, although they don’t expressly say anything about non-JMB Diamond/JGC Premier OWEs I suppose). My guess is that they probably were too polite to send you to another check-in area. I’ll be there tomorrow but with the family and in biz, so just planned...
Hmm. Seems clear from their website that it’s intended for first class only (“Exclusive to First Class passengers on JAL flights” and they say that their OWE equivalent tiers cannot use it, although they don’t expressly say anything about non-JMB Diamond/JGC Premier OWEs I suppose). My guess is that they probably were too polite to send you to another check-in area. I’ll be there tomorrow but with the family and in biz, so just planned on using the regular FC check in desk as I am the only OWE. But we will see what happens.
@CPH-Flyer:
I will be using the JAL First Class checking lounge at HND in about 2 weeks. Is this what you are referring to?
@Simon
No, OWE can't. They may nag enough that the staff eventually relent to not have a commotion. But it is certainly not within the rules.
Though the generally allow co-travellers in lower classes to join.
The JAL First Class Entrance is a lovely space but a bit silly... they sat me down in that pretty room for a grand total of 3 seconds before ushering me to the private security screening, which was almost awkward having a multitude of staff all silently running the machine just for me, with absolutely no noise or music. I'm not saying I didn't like it, it just seemed over the top for what you get.