Are airport lounges the latest trend in luxury travel?

Airport lounges give you a quiet place to work or relax before your flight.

I am sitting in a low, soft chair in the lounge of the Venice Marco Polo airport. I can see the city and its canals in the distance from the big windows. I drink a sunset-colored spritz with a plate of “cicchetti,” traditional Venetian snacks.

I’m a budget traveler who generally considers airport lounges an unaffordable luxury. I know a lot of people feel the same way I do, so I spoke to Christopher Evans, CEO of lounge chain Priority Pass, to find out why he thinks it’s worth starting or ending your vacation stress-free.

How COVID has changed habits at airports

The travel and travel industry has in many ways returned to pre-COVID conventions. But airlines are still advising passengers to arrive at the airport several hours early, as recommended when travel restrictions are in place.

Evans says the general trend of travelers spending more time at the airport makes lounges more attractive. “They are islands of calm in the stressful environment of airports,” he explains.

A recent study by the group’s marketing team of 8,500 people from 11 countries found that more than a third of people find it difficult to completely disconnect from everyday life when travelling.

The data also shows that the airport experience is key to how well people can or can’t connect, with 62% of travelers saying pre-flight issues can lead to “fear of disconnection” for the rest of their trip.

However, 53% of respondents said that visiting an airport lounge helped them disconnect better during their previous trip.

“Travel is a way to escape, but people were living in a very stressful environment during the COVID crisis, post-Covid crisis and the cost of living,” Evans says.

“Relaxing, calming and de-stressing (in lounges) means people enjoy their holiday more and prepares them for travel.” »

Airport lounges have outdoor pools and mini golf

More than just a quiet place where you’re guaranteed a seat, airport lounges can become your number one vacation activity.

In lounges with Priority Pass access, you can visit the spa at airports such as Heathrow, Frankfurt and John F Kennedy International. Los Angeles CA-LAX International Airport has an arcade and Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic has an outdoor swimming pool.

For golfers, Minneapolis International Airport has a virtual green, while Hong Kong’s Sky Bridge in Chek Lap Kok offers travelers drinks with a view.

Priority Pass annual pricing helps travelers looking for the best experience. Vienna Lounge won the top prize this year for the food and work space that a Viennese café offers.

The Pioneer of the Year award was given to five lounges, including Hacienda Santa Lucia at the Grand Lounge Elite at the Felipe Angeles International Hotel in Mexico, where drinks are delivered by robots.

The group also hopes that new additions to its app will improve the traveler experience. “We’ll be able to review your behavioral history to recommend salons that match your needs, and you’ll receive offers and rewards that suit you,” says Evans.

Soon, the feature will also let you see the lounge’s occupancy rate, so if there are multiple people at the airport, you can choose to book in a different lounge. Members will also be able to pre-order lunch and dinner at select lounges.

Is paying for an airport lounge a money-saving travel tip?

So is it worth it?

Priority Pass provides access to more than 1,500 airports worldwide. The ‘standard’ annual tariff is €89, with each visit costing €30, while the ‘standard plus’ tariff costs €289 and entitles you to 10 free visits, after which it costs €30.

According to the group’s latest study covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa, some credit card providers offer Priority Pass membership as a perk – second only to cashback for travellers.

62% of respondents said they would switch card providers even if they stopped offering this benefit.

Before arriving at the Venice Marco Polo, I went down to a wine bar and tried to calculate what I would have to pay to eat and drink there. Adding two spritzes, water, coffee and a variety of hearty appetizers (including eggplant parmigiana and lasagna), the bill would be more than €30.

Evans reminds me that at many airports, you’ll have to move a lot to get all the items I consume in one place in the lounge.

If you’re lucky enough to fly out of an airport that has a spa or pool in the lounge, you definitely get what you pay for.

While I still see lounges as a luxury I won’t invest in for every trip, I can see the value in avoiding the stressful airport experience for big vacations and making sure you’re free from the start of the trip.

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