Airport lounges used to be considered the ultimate in exclusivity. Today, they are still the luxurious highlight of every airport. Travellers - and also much more accessible than at that time. What exactly a lounge has to offer and how you can most easily gain access, you can find out here.

This is why everyone loves airport lounges

The packed waiting lounges before a departure flight is something we haven't missed during the largely travel-free Corona Crisis. Although by now we've reached a point of wanderlust where we'd even take that on again without complaint. But there is another way to bridge the waiting time. And it is exclusive, luxurious and full of peace: airport lounges. Especially during the pandemic, the lounges proved to be particularly valuable, as most of them took strict security precautions and were thus able to offer guests the highest level of comfort.

While service standards are not uniform across all airport lounges, they all have one thing in common: they offer comfortable seating, Wi-Fi and a great range of complimentary food and drinks. Luxurious amenities often include a buffet, comfortable recliners with massage features, separate rooms where you can really relax during an extended stay, and even exclusive washrooms with classy showers and yoga and cycling rooms are often found in airport lounges.

How to get access

To gain access to exclusive lounges, you don't have to have frequent flyer status or a wickedly expensive airline ticket. Here are the easiest ways:

Install Loungebuddy

The app Loungebuddy automatically finds airport lounges, depending on the travel route. Practical: It also shows whether and how much you have to pay for access and you can book directly in the app. Available for IOS and Android.

Membership through Priority Pass

Through the priority pass you get the chance to relax in over 950 lounges in 400 different cities around the world. There is a choice of three memberships: Standard (€ 89 per year) and € 24 per lounge entry, Standard Plus (€ 259 per year) with ten free entries per year, after which they also cost € 24 and Prestige (€ 399 per year) with free lounge entry as often as you like.

Day pass

Those who fly rather rarely, but still want to enjoy the luxury of the lounges, should take a closer look at the Day Pass. Between 20 and 65 euros you get the one-time access in selected lounge areas. Airlines such as Air France, American, United and Virgin participate in the program. Important: Be sure to book in advance, because those who buy the pass on the same day of use, usually pay more or can no longer get in, because the lounge is already full.

Credit cards

Many credit cards now automatically offer access to a lounge. These include American Express and Diners Club, which even have their own lounges.

business class tickets

If you book a business class ticket or something higher, you usually automatically get access to the exclusive lounges. In the long run, this way of flying can be quite expensive.