Take to the Airport Lounges

Fancy a relaxing start to your trip? Splash out a little.

Fly the Airport Lounge

Some years ago, I was due to travel from the UK to Vermont via Boston in the USA. This was for a business trip, plus some social time and my hosts at the other end had sent me a return ticket.

Imagine my surprise when I presented my ticket to the desk at Heathrow, to discover I was in the wrong queue. The ticket was for first-class.

Over the years, I’ve only travelled at the posh end of the plane once and that was a free upgrade on an over booked British Airways flight to Lisbon. I was the only person wearing a smart business suit on a Sunday morning and was handed an upgraded boarding pass for the posh end. There is more to that story, but for another day.

Initially, having stood at the wrong check-in desk at Heathrow, I was guided across to the first-class queue. Not that there was a queue for reasons I would discover later.

Following the usual formalities, I was taken by the check-in clerk to the American Airlines lounge. Well, this looks good I thought. Comfortable seating, a fair few people enjoying a free drink and snacks. This is the life.

The check-in clerk continued to walk. “Follow me please”, to a door marked ‘private’ with no other indication of what was on the other side. Behind the anonymous looking door, was the exclusive first-class lounge, which made the initial area look like a cheap café.

There was one other passenger sitting enjoying a glass of champagne, from a crystal glass no less. Opulent surrounding with enough high-quality cuisine to feed an entire aircraft.

My wait was around 90 minutes, with no need to use any of those uncomfortable crowded seats at the boarding gate. A short while before the flight, the attentive staff in the first-class lounge approached and said it was time to board.

I was taken around the busy boarding gate avoiding the queues, onto the aircraft and for the second time in my travels, turned left. Having been shown to my seat by the staff member who wished me a pleasant flight, she left to return to the lounge.

The flight has just one other passenger in first-class and we were both fawned over by two stewardesses and a chef for the entire flight. On the return journey, the level of service was the same, from check-in at Boston to arrival back in London.

Making the Most of the Airport Lounge

Now, I appreciate this was a one-off and that someone else was paying. My American host is a frequent flyer, and he had used a bundle of his accumulated air miles for my ticket. Thank you!

Since that time, which is around twenty years ago now, I have yet to bother first-class airport lounges nor turn left when boarding a flight.

However, using the occasional airport lounge has proved a pleasant start to a journey. This allows an earlier arrival at the airport and avoids sitting for several hours waiting for a flight, in crowded shopping malls with expensive food and coffee. A lounge becomes very welcome refuge should your flight be delayed, and the airport becomes jam-packed with noisy annoyed people. Just sit back, enjoy and refill your glass.

A lounge, at the basic level rather that first-class, offers those comfortable seats, snacks and drinks ahead of boarding. Expect to access free Wi-Fi along with electric charging points, magazines and newspapers. Many lounges offer desk space, where you can set up a laptop and access the net. Your carry-on baggage should be safer in lounge areas too.

Depending on the airline and the airport, you may also be able to avoid queues at the gate, with privileged access to a separate boarding area.

Splash Out or Look for Free Options

There will be a cost for this mini luxury, although it may be that your travel agent, bank, credit card or airline provide free or discounted access. Using some of your accumulated air miles if you are a frequent flyer is another option.

Business class passengers will often have airport lounge access included in their ticket price, but this depends on the airline and the airport location.

Booking a lounge ahead of arrival will generally save you money and be cheaper than turning up at the lounge entrance unannounced. Ask the airline or check companies such as Holiday Extras or Priority Pass as good places to look for deals.

For many, me included, an airport lounge experience helps to prepare for the trip, reduced anxiety and makes being at an airport an enjoyable experience.

I recommend them.

Safe travels!