There’s no denying that airport lounges have become a lot more crowded over the years, particularly after the pandemic. Admittedly the crowding issues are a bit uneven, and depend on the type of lounge, how you can access it, and the location. In this post I thought it would be interesting to take a bigger picture look at the issue of lounge crowding, and how we’ve gotten to this point.
In this post:
Many airport lounges have a crowding issue
Back in the day, airport lounges were marketed as an oasis of calm, and as somewhere you could go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the terminal. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for the entrance to airport lounges to look more like nightclubs, with lines out the door.
Admittedly there are many factors that impact crowding levels:
- Generally you’ll find that Priority Pass and credit card lounges (like Amex Centurion Lounges, Chase Sapphire Lounges, and Capital One Lounges) are the most crowded, followed by membership lounges (like American Admirals Clubs and United Clubs), followed by business class lounges, followed by first class lounges
- There are also geographic differences, based on where in the world you are; crowding is a big issue in the United States, while it’s not as consistently an issue in other parts of the globe (though often still is a problem)
For example, at my home airport of Miami, it’s common to see a line out the door for the Turkish Airlines Lounge in the afternoons, which belongs to Priority Pass and is also used for Star Alliance airlines.
Meanwhile I’ve certainly used other Priority Pass lounges across the globe — like the Eventyr Lounge Copenhagen — where I basically had the place to myself.
In the United States, Delta Sky Clubs are probably most notorious for their crowding issues, to the point that the airline has two queues to even enter the lounge, with a priority entry option for select passengers. This would’ve been inconceivable a decade ago.
Why many airport lounges are so crowded
Historically, many have thought of airport lounges as being for business travelers. Even well over six years after the start of the pandemic, business travel still hasn’t fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, in terms of the percentage of traffic it makes up. Despite that, airport lounges are busier than ever before.
The way I view it, there are a variety of factors that have contributed to this. Let me share what I think they are, roughly in the order in which they’re leading to the crowding levels.
Premium credit cards have become incredibly popular
The popularity of premium credit cards that offer lounge access have exploded over the years. A decade ago, it was mostly baby boomers who had premium credit cards. However, these cards have become much more mainstream in recent years. Not only are younger users maximizing the perks more, but they’re probably also more frequent travelers on balance.
For that matter, the value proposition of premium credit cards has improved significantly over the years. Going back well over a decade, the Amex Platinum Card was basically the only premium card on the market. Now we have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X, both of which offer Priority Pass™ memberships, with a great overall value proposition.
You don’t have to be “rich” anymore to have a premium credit card, so airport lounge access has really been democratized, and I’d say that’s good overall. For that matter, psychologically I feel like those with premium credit cards also show up to airports earlier, so they can justify the annual fees on their cards, and enjoy “free” food and drinks.
Airport lounge capacity hasn’t kept up with demand
The first factor to consider is that total passenger capacity around the globe has increased massively over the years, from both legacy and ultra low cost carriers. In many parts of the world, it’s just not practical to hugely expand terminals, and as a result, we’re finding more and more passengers crowded into the same terminals.
Many airlines and airport lounge operators want to greatly increase their lounge footprint, but there’s only so much available space. For that matter, keep in mind that airports are essentially shopping malls with jet bridges, and the way airports are monetized is largely through duty free stores, restaurants, etc.
The point is, most airports are built with profit maximization, rather than passenger experience, in mind. It’s the same reason some airports are ditching moving walkways.
Premium leisure & blended travel is all the rage
Despite the fact that business travel is still down compared to pre-pandemic, that doesn’t mean that premium cabin demand is down. Quite to the contrary, premium cabin demand has been at an all-time high in recent years, and there’s seemingly no sign of that trend changing. There are many things contributing to this, including that many people would rather spend more money on experiences rather than material goods.
We’re also seeing a lot more blended travel, whereby people have the flexibility to work from anywhere, or have the flexibility to combine business and leisure travel. This makes people much more likely to arrive at the airport a bit early and enjoy a lounge experience, especially if they can work from anywhere.
Air travel is being monetized more efficiently
If given the choice of being in an empty lounge or a full lounge, I think anyone would choose an empty lounge. That’s only logical, right?
The thing is, lounges take up expensive real estate in terminals. Lounge operators — whether it’s an airline, a credit card company, or an independent airport lounge group — want to get as much of a “return” out of that as they can, and that’s logical:
- Independent lounge operators are typically paid per visit, so of course they have an incentive to have lounges be as full as possible
- Credit card lounges want to maximize goodwill among cardmembers to keep people engaged in the ecosystem
- Lounges specifically for first and business class passengers are a bit different, since they’re still a cost center, though we have seen many airlines increase their premium cabin footprint over the years, without lounge capacity increasingly proportionally
The entire air travel ecosystem is monetized much better than it was one or two decades ago, and that’s why airlines are in a more stable situation. As they view it, the busier the lounges, the better.
Of course the risk is that you get to the point where lounges are so full that they detract from the experience, and people no longer want access. While I do think that’s a potential concern, I seem to be in the minority in feeling that way. After all, we continue to see lines out the doors for many lounges, so clearly people see value in this.
How I approach airport lounge access & crowding
Everyone is looking for different things from an airport lounge. Some people want peace and quiet. Some want fast Wi-Fi. Some want food and drinks. Personally my lounge habits have changed quite a bit over the years.
Here’s how I generally approach the value of airport lounge access based on crowding levels:
- For me, the single most important thing about a lounge is that it’s reasonably quiet
- If I’m just taking a basic domestic trip in the United States, I’m not really looking to eat or drink all that much; I don’t really drink alcohol when traveling domestically, and the lounge food isn’t usually much to get excited about
- In the United States, I do still really enjoy Capital One Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges, even if they are busy, as they have some features that I really appreciate, like great coffee
- If I’m traveling internationally, there are still some amazing first and business class lounges, even if they are busy, and they’re worth visiting
More often than not, when I’m traveling domestically, I’d rather just seek out a gate area that looks like the below, where I have relative quiet, and can connect to the airport’s Wi-Fi. I just don’t bother going out of my way to sit in a crowded lounge.
It’s one of the reasons I quite like the increasing trend toward grab & go lounges, where those with lounge access can just pick up a drink or snack, rather than lounging around, and then find a quiet place in the terminal to sit.
Bottom line
Airport lounges have become increasingly crowded in recent years, especially in the United States. This is due to a combination of factors — the increasing popularity of premium credit cards, the higher demand for premium air travel, and airport lounge capacity just not keeping up with the increase in demand.
While there are still lots of amazing lounges, personally I often skip the typical, run-of-the-mill Priority Pass lounge in the United States. I’d rather sit in a quiet gate area with Wi-Fi, lots of natural light, and with no one nearby.
Where do you stand on airport lounge crowding? Have your lounge usage patterns changed as a result of crowding?
I still miss when lounges had no food and were a place to work. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate getting to eat in the lounge. But I appreciate quiet more.
I do have to say that Delta lounges are finally getting better.
As Ben notes, different people have different reasons for visiting a lounge. Some are looking for a quiet place to work or relax, others are looking for food, others are looking for amenities. I'd like to see more specialization so lounges can better cater to people according to their goals. I see grab and go as a step in this direction: if you just want something to eat (and I'll admit that a big appeal...
As Ben notes, different people have different reasons for visiting a lounge. Some are looking for a quiet place to work or relax, others are looking for food, others are looking for amenities. I'd like to see more specialization so lounges can better cater to people according to their goals. I see grab and go as a step in this direction: if you just want something to eat (and I'll admit that a big appeal of lounge access for me is avoiding terminal prices for food), you can do that without taking up space that someone else wants to use to get work done. I wonder if there are other ways that lounges can tweak their designs or offerings so that they appeal to business travelers and not family travelers, or vice versa.
The Concorde lounge ( not the Concorde room ) had every singel passenger in the lounge . That was overcrowded .
Today most Airports are so nice so many alternatives to lounges.
Lounges are now often worse than the terminal with people putting their feet onto the tables, leaving massive messes, somehow being allowed in with animals that clearly aren't service trained, etc.
I miss the days when lounges were restricted to people who earned their way in and knew how to handle themselves once inside.
Now, it's people racing to fill a plate with slop, rinse/repeat, stuff extra crap in their bags, loudly talk on their cell phone and then leave.
Surprised lounges are not more restrictive on entrance (2 hours before schedule departure). Also, departure screens to get the laggard out of the lounge and to the gate; no excuse of not getting a departure text message.
In addition, no sleeping; no feet on the tables or chairs; no yoga exercise; no screaming children. If in doubt, I'll reincarnate my 1st grade teacher (Sister DaVida) and she can patrol with her yard stick. I’ll...
Surprised lounges are not more restrictive on entrance (2 hours before schedule departure). Also, departure screens to get the laggard out of the lounge and to the gate; no excuse of not getting a departure text message.
In addition, no sleeping; no feet on the tables or chairs; no yoga exercise; no screaming children. If in doubt, I'll reincarnate my 1st grade teacher (Sister DaVida) and she can patrol with her yard stick. I’ll admit, I did get hit once….Ok, maybe twice. But she would have that lounge in ship shape and Bristol fashion.
Lots of them impose a 3-hour maximum, I have had to suffer through one or two long connections in 'unusual' places (e g. from AV to LH at MAD) where I couldn't get in despite holding both status and a business class ticket.
I think a major factor is that people tend to get to the airport a lot earlier than they used to before COVID, so are spending more waiting time in a lounge. Also, I don't know that I've ever seen seats at a gate that were as nice as even a middling lounge, or less crowded, for that matter. And when there are IRROPS, the gates and restaurants are usually even more of a zoo...
I think a major factor is that people tend to get to the airport a lot earlier than they used to before COVID, so are spending more waiting time in a lounge. Also, I don't know that I've ever seen seats at a gate that were as nice as even a middling lounge, or less crowded, for that matter. And when there are IRROPS, the gates and restaurants are usually even more of a zoo than the lounges. I've had 6 hour delays due to weather where I felt that the money I paid for the lounge card was worth it just for that.
I've never understood people that will pay an annual fee of $600 or more just to sit in a usually crowded, often dirty lounge 2-4 times a year. Sure, if you travel a lot and are good with Applebee's type food it's worth the fee. Airline lounges "might" be able to help you with travel disruptions versus other lounges.
Yup, that's all those cards do. Great over-simplification, George. /s
(I see you've graduated from trashing Wawa to attacking Applebees now. On this, we agree.)
WSJ article: "Gen Z Has Just Discovered the Premium Rewards Credit Card." From SEC filings, in spite of the high price tag, the Amex Platinum has seen explosive growth. In spite of ham-handed management, also the CSR. Roughly 65% are from Gen Z and Millennials. To me, card-accessed lounges are the problem. At airline-operated lounges, I see high occupancy and short entry processing lines but not over-crowding denial of entry.
(Not to make this an intergenerational proxy war for what is usually just a class war, but…) How Gen Z paying for that?
On the flip side, there are BA's lounges at LHR T5 main concourse. One could write a book about their overcrowding.
Feels like beating a dead horse at this point to point this out but…it does feel like the lounge overcrowding is mostly a North American problem. In most parts of the world, credit cards that provide unlimited Priority Pass visits are very rare (they might provide a dozen visits per year at most), and airlines are not as reliant on co-branded credit cards for revenue. Some Asian airlines are even willing to turn away credit...
Feels like beating a dead horse at this point to point this out but…it does feel like the lounge overcrowding is mostly a North American problem. In most parts of the world, credit cards that provide unlimited Priority Pass visits are very rare (they might provide a dozen visits per year at most), and airlines are not as reliant on co-branded credit cards for revenue. Some Asian airlines are even willing to turn away credit card holders during peak hours and only allow J and elite passengers entry. Lounges get busy during peak hours yes, and it might be hard to find a seat or use the shower, but it’s really rare to see queue out the door situations (except at a few priority pass lounges, such as the Plaza Premium at HKG and KUL).
Yet this seems to be a near constant experience whenever I travel in North America (especially in domestic and trans-border terminals), and it feels like airlines and lounge operators are just not interested in doing anything about it.
I think the overcrowding experience in the UK and India particularly is far worse than North America, especially at common-use third party lounges.
I was shocked last year at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Gatwick where as an airline premium passenger I was told that due to overcrowding I would either have to make a co-payment to enter or wait for an hour.
Asking airline guests for extra money is shocking indeed! Did you flag it up with the airline?
@Throwawayname - I did indeed as the local manager was a friend. He said they are not supposed to do that but he got 1-2 complaints every week that they were trying their luck anyway.
I completely agree. I’ve rarely had a problem with an overcrowded lounge in Europe, Asia, or even Africa. It has happened to me in North America, Central America, and South America, though.
Obviously, at certain times (school breaks, long weekends, etc.), there are more people in the lounges, but it’s never been a problem or ruined the experience.
No, actually, the last two times I was in Amsterdam, there were quite a few people...
I completely agree. I’ve rarely had a problem with an overcrowded lounge in Europe, Asia, or even Africa. It has happened to me in North America, Central America, and South America, though.
Obviously, at certain times (school breaks, long weekends, etc.), there are more people in the lounges, but it’s never been a problem or ruined the experience.
No, actually, the last two times I was in Amsterdam, there were quite a few people there, but that's the exception. I think it's really a problem in the U.S., although it could start to spread as premium cards with those kinds of services become more common here.
It’s also important to distinguish between lounges accessible through loyalty programs (Priority Pass, etc.) and airline-owned lounges that aren’t included in these programs.
In Madrid, the Iberia lounges in T4 and T4S only allow access to Gold members and above or to business-class passengers, and they’re usually not even half full. There’s another new lounge in Terminal 4 that isn’t part of any airline or credit card program whatsoever; you have to pay for access, the quality is higher, and it’s never very crowded...
No disagreement on the India part — the lounge passes / pay-per-use lounges do get crazy queues there, especially those that grant access in collaboration with local banks. Though I found that the lounges reserved for airline passengers are *usually* okay (it’s also possible i just got lucky the last few times I visited lol).
And yeah Priority Pass / contract lounges at major hubs definitely get busy, especially during peak travel times. But...
No disagreement on the India part — the lounge passes / pay-per-use lounges do get crazy queues there, especially those that grant access in collaboration with local banks. Though I found that the lounges reserved for airline passengers are *usually* okay (it’s also possible i just got lucky the last few times I visited lol).
And yeah Priority Pass / contract lounges at major hubs definitely get busy, especially during peak travel times. But I think there’s something unique about how heavily even first-party airline lounges are monetized in North America. There’s premium cabin passengers, foreign elite status holders, co-branded credit cards, credit cards from a partner bank, lounge access subscriptions, lounge passes, companion passes, etc. etc. that sometimes it feels like half of the plane has access and it just creates a terrible experience for everyone.
Also, yikes on the Gatwick lounge. Usually I have the opposite experience where the contract lounge will grant entry to airline premium passengers even when the lounge is already obviously overcapacity (which isn’t necessarily a good thing but…points for trying? Lol)
Some of the top tier East Asian airlines would actively offer premium / elite passengers the option of taking a meal voucher instead of lounge voucher if they know the contract lounge is overcrowded...
Also, yikes on the Gatwick lounge. Usually I have the opposite experience where the contract lounge will grant entry to airline premium passengers even when the lounge is already obviously overcapacity (which isn’t necessarily a good thing but…points for trying? Lol)
Some of the top tier East Asian airlines would actively offer premium / elite passengers the option of taking a meal voucher instead of lounge voucher if they know the contract lounge is overcrowded — which I always found to be a nice touch (and likely doesn’t cost them that much extra).
Never had a problem entering Senator Lounge at FRA. As it's a hybrid, for Senator members and Star Gold. It's between FC and bis class. And no CC entry. Best since EU 261.
EU261! Woohoo!
I've never tried it at LH lounges outside the US (and I'm back to being Star Gold, so a moot point once again for me), but the Amex Plat allows a user who is otherwise entitled to the LH Business lounge to use the Senator instead.
Just checked LH Senator lounge access. Yes to Star Alliance Gold. No to CC.
If you arriving in FRA from U.S., there is the Welcome Lounge after you get to baggage pickup. It's great for shower and quick breakfast, then off to meetings or vacation. If connecting to another flight, and checked your bags through, just clear immigration, and go to lounge. Then just go through security and to your Schengen flight. The advantage...
Just checked LH Senator lounge access. Yes to Star Alliance Gold. No to CC.
If you arriving in FRA from U.S., there is the Welcome Lounge after you get to baggage pickup. It's great for shower and quick breakfast, then off to meetings or vacation. If connecting to another flight, and checked your bags through, just clear immigration, and go to lounge. Then just go through security and to your Schengen flight. The advantage here is that it will less crowded than Senator lounge in early AM, as way many Americans will be going directly to Senator lounges, and more using showered than in Welcome lounge.
@AlanZ, if you're on the FRA non-Schengen side in the morning, you could always access the AC lounge.
Thanks, but LH has Senator in non-Schengen side.
Never had a problem entering Senator Lounge at FRA. As it's a hybrid, for Senator members. It's between FC and bis class. And no CC entry. Best since EU 261.
I'm like you, I travel hundreds of airports every year, all in pPremium, no fancy US credit card. If its too crowded, I walk. I am after the peace and quiet. Luckily, if there is a F Lounge, I am mostly able to access those anywhere in the world and they are usually very quiet. ( Except QF F SYD, a shocker )
One trend I am noticing big-time, all the hanger-son with their fancy...
I'm like you, I travel hundreds of airports every year, all in pPremium, no fancy US credit card. If its too crowded, I walk. I am after the peace and quiet. Luckily, if there is a F Lounge, I am mostly able to access those anywhere in the world and they are usually very quiet. ( Except QF F SYD, a shocker )
One trend I am noticing big-time, all the hanger-son with their fancy credit cards, stocking up on food and drinks for their Economy flights. You see them in their singlets and thongs packing their bags full of food and drinks like its the last meal they will ever have. It does my head in, especially in the Middle-Eastern Islamic countries and India.
They should make the taking of food with you like that a cause for being banned from future lounge entry. A cookie and cup of coffee is one thing. Taking food for the flight is quite another.
Truly it's one of the great perks of flying American. The Admirals Clubs, with the exception of CLT (maybe PHX? I don't use that airport virtually ever) are just not that crowded. I don't think I've literally ever been turned away in DCA, PHL, ORD, LGA, etc.
My same experience as well.
Ben, what dedicated first class lounges anywhere in the world are victims of overcrowding? I certainly believe you when you included them on the list, but I’m just curious as to know where you’ve encountered them because I have not, and that could be because we travel to different places or fly at different times.
The ones that I’ve encountered that are crowded are the first class lounges in oneworld that allow in all flyers...
Ben, what dedicated first class lounges anywhere in the world are victims of overcrowding? I certainly believe you when you included them on the list, but I’m just curious as to know where you’ve encountered them because I have not, and that could be because we travel to different places or fly at different times.
The ones that I’ve encountered that are crowded are the first class lounges in oneworld that allow in all flyers who have emerald status (looking at YOU, QF SYD), however I’ve never seen those so crowded as to have lines, or turn away customers.
The Qantas First lounge in SIngapore certainly gets overcrowded at the point that the flights to/from LHR arrive, and an entire A380 of passengers has a 2 hour transit there.
The BA First lounge in LHR can be busy enough that it's hard to find seats, although it's not a true F lounge as the real F passengers go to the COncorde room.
“The Qantas First lounge in SIngapore certainly gets overcrowded…”
That’s actually a really good point and I didn’t even think of that. The only time I use that lounge is when I’m on the evening Air France flight to Paris; I’m usually escorted out about 10 minutes after the A380 passengers start their mass arrival, and it really does get extremely crowded quickly!
The Qantas first class lounges in SYD & MEL also get crowded at times, and the problem is OneWorld Emeralds in biz & the steerage cabins. I’m pretty much over airport lounging these days, and prefer to check in with as little time to spare as possible.
Aren't "WE" the primary problem. We fee to game the system and maximize the time and how many lines we can get into. I'm willing to bet some folks use multiple pp pass per trip just to be in a many lines as possible. If it's free, already included in the price we want it. That's sadly what this cc game have trained us. Last year I started skipping lounges because some are so pitiful...
Aren't "WE" the primary problem. We fee to game the system and maximize the time and how many lines we can get into. I'm willing to bet some folks use multiple pp pass per trip just to be in a many lines as possible. If it's free, already included in the price we want it. That's sadly what this cc game have trained us. Last year I started skipping lounges because some are so pitiful it's not even worth getting into any kind of line to enter. I end up just going to a quiet restaurant away from the traffic.
Seeing how this points game is looking like it's going to implode in the next few years (and really at this point I don't really mind just paying a la carte) I mind as well start trimming the card benefits.
Umm, if you have 10 Priority Pass Select memberships thanks to all these great premium cards that Ben always promotes, are you supposed to not use them for yourself and your 20 ‘best friends’ at each airport? /s
I have all-but given up on airport lounges. They are overcrowded and useless. Last week in Jakarta, the first lounge we approached had a 90-minute waitlist. The lounge across the concourse was taking people, but it was packed. Children are running free, screaming. There was very little food of interest and it had the ambience of a school cafeteria. I had two colas and left.
This lounge accepted literally every lounge access card I’ve ever...
I have all-but given up on airport lounges. They are overcrowded and useless. Last week in Jakarta, the first lounge we approached had a 90-minute waitlist. The lounge across the concourse was taking people, but it was packed. Children are running free, screaming. There was very little food of interest and it had the ambience of a school cafeteria. I had two colas and left.
This lounge accepted literally every lounge access card I’ve ever heard of, plus accepted $30 cash for entrance. As a result, the lounge was making money, but offered little in the way of quality or comfort.
I would be willing to pay a premium for a quiet business lounge that excludes children and offers reasonable food and beverage service.
Parents, take your little angels to the McDonald’s and leave the rest of us in peace. They will be happier and so will we!
3rd time’s the charm.
(Was that USD $30, or, um, err, IDR? Because, in Rupiah, that’d be a steal!)
And don’t knock McDonalds (good for adults too!)… CDG Terminal 2C saved me when the SkyTeam lounge’s food wouldn’t suffice for ‘dinner.’
The Saphire lounge at T3 is usually pretty good although it does get crowded at some times.
I have all-but given up on lounges. Last week in Jakarta, one lounge had a 90-minute waitlist. The lounge across from it was packed. Children were running free, screeching. The lounge took just about every pass I have ever heard of, plus had a $30 cash option. Once inside, food was scarce. I had a can of Coke and left. What a mess!
I’d pay a premium for a quiet kid-free lounge with quality food & beverages.
I have all-but given up on lounges. Last week in Jakarta, one lounge had a 90-minute waitlist. The lounge across from it was packed. Children were running free, screeching. The lounge took just about every pass I have ever heard of, plus had a $30 cash option. Once inside, food was scarce. I had a can of Coke and left. What a mess!
I’d pay a premium for a quiet kid-free lounge with quality food & beverages.
When my wife and I travel domestically, we try to avoid Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are really nice, as the terminals—and by extension, the lounges—tend to be much less crowded. Time of day can also make a big difference. She really appreciates the food and amenities when we travel together, so having a quieter lounge experience is a plus.
When I travel with my friends, we’re more willing to put up...
When my wife and I travel domestically, we try to avoid Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are really nice, as the terminals—and by extension, the lounges—tend to be much less crowded. Time of day can also make a big difference. She really appreciates the food and amenities when we travel together, so having a quieter lounge experience is a plus.
When I travel with my friends, we’re more willing to put up with the crowds and actually kind of enjoy the energy of the situation. The lounge bars seem to fill up last, and the three of us are perfectly comfortable grabbing three seats together at the bar.
The waitlist on the Amex app really helps, and we use it frequently. I’ve also found that the Chase lounges really try to accommodate us when we’re using the CSP card. Every once in a while, we get caught at the airport at a particularly crowded time, and the best approach is simply to deal with it—or find a quiet area somewhere in the terminal.
When traveling outside the U.S., we rarely have an issue with lounge crowding. Mexico is the notable exception; over the last few years, the lounges there seem to be consistently packed.
What happens on Thursday?
On Thursday, if you are in Finland, green pea soup.
*buys ticket to HEL*
the copenhagen lounge is great since most people go to the carlsburg lounge. The morning food is basic and well worth it. It beats spending $30 or more on a hotel breakfast. Overall with the exception of LHR, overseas lounges much quieter and a great place to chill.
Things are looking up at Manila NAIA (T3 - the only terminal you should ever consider using) under new management. The lounge situation always was dire - terrible lounges over-full. While there were dedicated CX and SQ lounges, there has been a rational reorg. In addition to the meh lounges, there is one new premium lounge that admits only business/first class ticketed passengers. No Premium/Dragon Pass, no credit card admission. The age of "I'll book...
Things are looking up at Manila NAIA (T3 - the only terminal you should ever consider using) under new management. The lounge situation always was dire - terrible lounges over-full. While there were dedicated CX and SQ lounges, there has been a rational reorg. In addition to the meh lounges, there is one new premium lounge that admits only business/first class ticketed passengers. No Premium/Dragon Pass, no credit card admission. The age of "I'll book economy and get into the lounge anyway" strategy is dead at many airports, plenty of which provide better facilities in the open terminal area anyway, plus it's the same WiFi infrastructure named differently or not. For example, give me Costa @ LHR T3 over queuing with entitled plebs with grubby Priority Pass cards any time. The airlines will love what NAIA has done because it was the final straw that pushed me (and I assume some others) back to booking Business. At my age ...
Most of my travel is in Australia, Asia and Africa, and lounges are rarely full for me. The exceptions are weekday 4-6pm at BNE, SYD or MEL, and Phuket’s Priority Pass lounge, which was packed. Outside of that, there’s usually plenty of seating and I’ve never seen a queue out the door.
On credit cards, most people with a premium card probably only travel a few times a year. That usage gets spread out across...
Most of my travel is in Australia, Asia and Africa, and lounges are rarely full for me. The exceptions are weekday 4-6pm at BNE, SYD or MEL, and Phuket’s Priority Pass lounge, which was packed. Outside of that, there’s usually plenty of seating and I’ve never seen a queue out the door.
On credit cards, most people with a premium card probably only travel a few times a year. That usage gets spread out across hundreds of lounges globally, so it makes sense it doesn’t create the same crowding you see with high-frequency US cardholders concentrated in a handful of hub lounges.
Same logic applies to paying for Qantas Club. If you’re flying enough to genuinely need lounge access, you’d have Gold status already, which gets you in for free. Paying for it only makes sense if you’re doing a moderate number of trips a year, not enough for status but enough to justify the fee. For a handful of visits a year, it’s not worth it.
Since you mentioned it, the renovated Qantas Club (and Business) lounges, like in ADL, really impressed me. SYD T3 could use a refresher; better showers, please (especially after arriving from a transpacific flight and needing to connect…)
If you connect, you really should shower.
Platinum now, eh? You and Tim are equals!
Times change!! Many lightyears ago, I was a business traveler and enjoyed the peace and quiet of a Northwest lounge at MSP during a layover where you could plug your laptop modem into a phone in a cubicle and catch up on email. 5600 baud! Currently, we are enjoying the new, spacious AS lounge at PDX.
The TK lounge Miami queue pictured, is there a separate fast track lane for TK J passengers?
The TK lounge pictured is one of two at MIA (Concourse D/E) — and does not serve Turkish Airlines passengers. There is another one in Concourse H/J that does serve Turkish Airlines and other Star Alliance customers.
While I’m unsure of the existence of a specific priority line, you will definitely be prioritized and will always be able to get in as a J passenger
No, This is the Concourse J lounge hallway , You can see it here : https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/turkish-airlines-lounge-miami/
Ah! You mean the cover photo. There’s also a photo in the article of the D/E Turkish Airlines MIA lounge
In the last few months I have walked in and out because of overcrowding more times than I can count.
Was that in multiple countries/regions?
A couple other aspects:
1. The lack of investment in the infrastructure/design of non-lounge areas for travellers
2. The rampant pricing abuse that is prevalent at most retail outlets within airports.
3. The domination/culture of status projection through social media
Agree with a previous commenter that access via credit card should somewhat be tied to actual credit card spending. Maybe give 2 lounge passes each year, and then at spending thresholds (say every $10k) that unlocks more access. Hit a higher threshold like $50k for unlimited access.
I disagree.
There shouldn't be an unlimited threshold.
I'd say one pass every $10k spend is good.
My 100 annual visits from my spend should be more than enough at airports without business class lounges or sucks worse than PP.
But that's not how greed operates.
Lounge would be better off giving everyone access with little service and make profit for every schmuck that comes in.
Instead of making $20 they settle...
I disagree.
There shouldn't be an unlimited threshold.
I'd say one pass every $10k spend is good.
My 100 annual visits from my spend should be more than enough at airports without business class lounges or sucks worse than PP.
But that's not how greed operates.
Lounge would be better off giving everyone access with little service and make profit for every schmuck that comes in.
Instead of making $20 they settle at $10 sharing the burden with the banks, who now charges $200 more in annual fee but most people don't even use 20 visits to breakeven the bank.
So that's a win-win-win for everyone except the schmuck who paid $795 to get stuck in line and never got in.
Bonus add on: Airlines are in on it too. Since they all cut deals with their banks or card issuer. They schedule your layover to 31 mins to make sure you paid for the access but never have time to use it.
What's good paying $795 for credit cards with lounge access when you can barely make it before final call.
I think this is just a US thing. It's still high holiday season in Europe and the two lounges I visited today- a brand new one which offers Priority Pass access and a 'flagship' lounge at a hub that doesn't even have a separate non-Schengen facility- were barely half full, definitely no sign of premium leisure pax queuing at the door.
Great example of someone who doesn’t understand confirmation bias. Amongst others, I could point to:
- AGP, which has a permanent queue out the door almost all day every day in summer (it has also adopted the separate queue for priority pass and business)
- IBZ
- IST
- MAN
Etc, etc.
THAT'S confirmation bias!
- IST serves the biggest city in Europe and offers flights to more countries than any other airport in the world, connections can be very long and the food outlets are notoriously overpriced. It's a single terminal, and the terminal with the biggest lounge demand in Europe if not the entire world.
- The airport infrastructure in places like IBZ and AGP is inadequate for the enormous level of traffic they're...
THAT'S confirmation bias!
- IST serves the biggest city in Europe and offers flights to more countries than any other airport in the world, connections can be very long and the food outlets are notoriously overpriced. It's a single terminal, and the terminal with the biggest lounge demand in Europe if not the entire world.
- The airport infrastructure in places like IBZ and AGP is inadequate for the enormous level of traffic they're handling- or rather it's only adequate outside of peak season. That's not just a lounge issue.
- MAN are still in the process of finalising the T2 renovation and the newest lounge only opened 6-7 weeks ago.
These are all edge cases which don't reflect the experience of the majority of pax in the vast majority of airports in Europe (I don't have detailed experience of other markets as I only do 2-3 intercontinental trips a year and don't have as many friends there). I did personally have to deal with a queue at MAD T1 a couple of months ago but it was about four people deep and dealt with in less than 5 minutes.
This is a pointless discussion as you have clearly already reached your conclusion and no matter how many airports I point to on top of this list you’ll keep arrogantly claiming they are edge cases. I’m not claiming the problem is a bad as the US but it’s clearly exists in parts of Europe too. UK is particularly bad (to MAN I could add STN, LGW, LHR, EDI etc etc) - see Sean’s post above.
I think you're missing out on some of the nuance. I'm not saying that lounge overcrowding is completely unheard of in Europe (or elsewhere).
What I am saying is that it's not widespread. I'm not losing any sleep if I experience overcrowding in 3% of my lounge visits (that's more or less where I'm currently at) and I can empathise with the annoyance of someone who may encounter it 15% of the time due...
I think you're missing out on some of the nuance. I'm not saying that lounge overcrowding is completely unheard of in Europe (or elsewhere).
What I am saying is that it's not widespread. I'm not losing any sleep if I experience overcrowding in 3% of my lounge visits (that's more or less where I'm currently at) and I can empathise with the annoyance of someone who may encounter it 15% of the time due to their travel patterns, but I have enough first-hand experience and enough friends and relatives who travel very regularly to know that it's very concentrated in a small minority of lounges and/or travel dates /times which are not just in high season but exceptionally busy.
I think that the real issue here is that there'll always be a genius on tiktok etc trying to sensationalise even the most mundane of things and we need to keep everything into perspective - I have no trouble believing that Ben's absolutely correct in observing that lounges around where he lives are chronically overcrowded, but that doesn't make it a global phenomenon.
Have you noticed that all the issues, good or bad, related to air travel are caused by US credit card businesses?
I found the regular DL club at BOS terminal E to be very nice last spring. I didn't qualify for the internal D1 section, as I was flying out on AF metal. Why was it nice? I had one of the earliest international AF/DL/KL departures and the club is very quiet at that time. I had a nice multi-hour layover in the AF 2F lounge. And, I was quite impressed with the 51st & Green in DUB. The common factor? Low numbers of folks relative to size.
I only have access when I travel international J, and then it Flagship, Polaris, or D1 (if DL has a D1 at that hub). My home airport hasn't had an airline club since TWA (and I was a member there). And, you know, while I enjoy the clubs when I have access, I'm really not bothered when I don't have access. And, quite frankly, the airline non-J clubs lack class.
Unless you moved, John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) does have an Escape Lounge next to Gate B32 (Amex Platinum partner lounge, like a Centurion lite) since 2022. While it's not an 'airline-affiliated' club, it's better than nothing. I haven't been to that one; how is it? (Oh, wait, I forgot, you pretend to not read anything I write... whatta shame, oh well.)
The CMH lounge is pretty dumpy and crowded, truly. It’s great if you wanna go in grab a drink and leave. That’s pretty much all I ever do there. And after I exit, I just turn right up the ramp and go to the left or to the right to those two gate areas that are almost always empty, and just relax there.
@TravelinWilly I've only looked in from outside. Until the new building opens, the lounge is in the AA/UA/AC concourse, but you must leave the lounge, exit security, and go through security again to get to the DL/AS concourse or the WN concourse. No ability to do in within the secures area (and absolutely no reason to spend anything to create it).
Oh, yeah yeah yeah, I forgot about that. I only fly AA into and out of CMH, and I forgot that DL & co. are in the other concourses. It's definitely not worth going through security for the lounge, as you note. I didn't realize that they are doing construction there, my next trip to CMH will be in a few months or so.
@TravelinWilly. They are building a replacement building with one TSA entrance. The only things at the airport being reused for the new version are the runways/taxiways and control tower, along with some roadways and parking. Every part of the terminal you can visit now will be gone. So, I kinda suspect private lounges have a better chance then.
“Lounge access” has become the new “Elite upgrade”…
Some of this overcrowding issue has also been a direct result of airlines pushing customers over to their credit cards just to receive quasi-respectable treatment when flying. Yes the credit cards are about monetization, but they are also about trapping customers into the brand and extracting more data about said customer… which does lead to more monetization down the road.
Many airlines had to set...
“Lounge access” has become the new “Elite upgrade”…
Some of this overcrowding issue has also been a direct result of airlines pushing customers over to their credit cards just to receive quasi-respectable treatment when flying. Yes the credit cards are about monetization, but they are also about trapping customers into the brand and extracting more data about said customer… which does lead to more monetization down the road.
Many airlines had to set up lounges to be viewed as a reputable major international carrier, so they were in essence a cost of doing business… well now, as Ben points out, monetizing anything possible that was once given away for free and maximize that by selling it to everyone possible (even if it’s now worthless, like elite upgrades, priority boarding group 19, or lounge access) has become a race to the bottom when it comes to quality and value received…. much like the airline industry overall. It’s all the same formula, just switch out lounge access, for elite upgrades, for first class meal, for blah blah blah… you get the point.
Uh... because the banks oversold access, and the airlines/operators didn't expand accordingly?
The lounge situation has become laughable. Cardholders, their guests, the tier system allow way too many people access thus deleting the original idea of offering people a quiet oasis. The lounges should only allow in those passengers who have paid for First or Business Class only, either by cash or points. Or just get rid of them.
Why do people crowd airline lounges ? Because they foolishly think they are fake "elite" with their stupid mobile phones and laptops . In fact , one of the fools is looking at a mobile phone in the main photo of the article .
nah, less of a status thing, more of a 'I sorta already paid for this, so...' (sunk cost fallacy).
That's not how sunk cost fallacy works.
It works more like this.
I already sold my conscience to become a member. I might as well try to win a gift card.
(Sowie, Eskimo. Less about gift cards, more about engaging in the Community posts/questions, less ads, etc.)
If the best thing to do is to just sit at an empty gate, why would most people want to pay those super exorbitant annual fee fees for the supposedly "premium" travel cards.
Most of the bank lounges and airline lounges are super crowded because they have gone on a binge of issuing this high annual fee credit cards and they made a pretty penny out of that. But they haven't invested proportionally in the...
If the best thing to do is to just sit at an empty gate, why would most people want to pay those super exorbitant annual fee fees for the supposedly "premium" travel cards.
Most of the bank lounges and airline lounges are super crowded because they have gone on a binge of issuing this high annual fee credit cards and they made a pretty penny out of that. But they haven't invested proportionally in the infrastructure resulting in lines out of the door.
Now till the consumer keeps on showing that they're addicted to the lounges and wont mind standing in line for these "free" food and drinks, these banks and Airlines will keep on screwing these addicts.
On a trip across South America and most lounges have been less than half full. In the US, the only way to curb lounge crowding is inputting annual spend requirements on your card. That's what's coming next. Wouldn't be shocked to see Centurion lounges implement a 50k annual spend in the previous year to qualify for entry. Otherwise, they have no other tools at their disposal.
Or cap it to 8-10 free visits per year, after that a small fee per visit.
That’s what the SkyMiles Reserve card did… not sure exactly how much that is helping
“Or cap it to 8-10 free visits per year…”
How many AMEX platinum card holders are going to continue paying $895 per year for that kind of limitation on the lounge access? And those 8-to-10 “free” visits per year? Those are hardly free. Nor are the “unlimited” visits that platinum card holders currently get.
But then they'd lose most of their cardholders because they have almost no categories with bonused spend. And they make a lot of money on the annual fees. They'll just keep cranking them out because what do they care if the lounge is crowded? Probably just have an AI answering complaints.
If the Centurion card was as exclusive as Amex likes to think it is, then it would be less of a problem. Take it from me, every douchebag investment banker on Wall Street has one, and they’re not exclusive at all.