Seats To Skip Or See
You’re exhausted, your gate’s delayed, and all you want is a quiet seat and a strong espresso. This is where a comfortable lounge comes in. Usually, stepping into a lounge should feel like sweet relief, but that depends on where you land. One airport lounge offers your dream comfort, while another is a total letdown. If you’re traveling soon, here are some lounges that nail it and several that will add insult to your itinerary. First up, those that don’t deliver.
1. London Stansted Airport (STN) – United Kingdom
The verdict on whether it’s worth your money leans no. Stansted’s Escape Lounge offers uncomfortable seating, subpar food, and no showers. With steep fees and few perks, it’s less of a sanctuary and more of an overpriced snack stop.
2. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 1 – United States
You will literally board a redeye after sitting in a dim, overcrowded lounge with cold food and minimal service. That’s Terminal 1’s reality. Frequent flyers have dubbed it the “least relaxing spot at LAX.” The only escape is your gate not getting delayed.
Delta Sky Club LAX, BEST Airline Lounge? (FULL REVIEW) by Ben Hedges
3. Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) – Mexico
Power outlets are rare here, and the decor is outdated. According to Priority Pass reviews (2025), non-premium lounges here resemble crowded breakrooms more than havens. If your laptop dies mid-email, blame the lounge, not the layover.
Priority Pass lounge @ MEX airport | Global lounge 3 Terminal 1 by DRONEIL TV
4. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – United States
This one is modern but not reliable. Newark lounges fluctuate wildly. United Polaris impresses, but others feel tired, especially during peak hours. The Wi-Fi’s fine, the snacks are okay, the seats are comfortable, but consistency remains elusive.
Newark Terminal, A United Lounge REVIEW! by Your Time 2 Live
5. Cairo International Airport (CAI) – Egypt
If fresh food and quiet time matter, steer clear of non-premium lounges at CAI. Dodo Review (2024) notes uneven standards and peak-time crowding. Premium lounges raise the bar, but others struggle to meet it.
Cairo Airport Departure Terminal 2 (Business Lounge) 2024 by Dodo Review
6. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) – Italy
Not every lounge in Rome is dolce vita. Non-premium areas lack lighting and space. Premium spots shine, but if you're flying economy, expect less-than-Italian flair. Your “VIP access” will feel like waiting in line at a pharmacy.
Review: Plaza Premium Lounge - Rome Fiumicino Terminal 3 - Italy 🇮🇹 🛫 by InsideFlyer Netherlands
7. Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) Terminal 2E – France
It’s quiet in the premium lounges, but it’s a different story everywhere else. Standard CDG lounges in Terminal 2E struggle with noise and limited seating. Also, connectivity dips depending on location. Experience depends heavily on access level.
8. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) – India
Luxury Indian Traveler (2024) praised the premium experience, but outside that bubble, lounges feel cramped and can make you dizzy. Showers and gourmet food exist—just not for everyone. The layover is also too long; you may need to pack patience along with your passport.
9. Athens International Airport (ATH) – Greece
Wi-Fi, food, and seating are the three pillars of any decent lounge. However, at ATH, only premium lounges deliver all three. Standard options skimp on comfort and serve snacks barely worth mentioning. For tired travelers, it's less of an oasis and more of a layover space.
10. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Thailand
At Bangkok’s non-premium lounges, the struggle starts with finding a seat. According to Flightrip (2024), simplicity rules: busier spaces, and few extras. Business travelers hoping for focus zones or recharge stations might want to keep walking.
Miracle Business Class Lounge | Suvarnabhumi Airport by Flightrip
But not every lounge leaves you longing for the gate—these 10 feel like you’ve checked into a five-star retreat.
1. Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) – Qatar
DOH has cathedral ceilings and a spa that rivals five-star hotels. Al Safwa Lounge blends art gallery elegance with luxury travel perks. It also has private sleeping suites and silence that feels sacred. It’s lounge royalty—access by invitation only.
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge Doha 4k by loungeindex
2. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) – Hong Kong
Hong Kong nails the luxury layover. With The Pier setting the gold standard—think rainfall showers, and free massages—this airport earned Asia Pacific Lounge of the Year in 2025. Even the dining encourages indulgence.
3. Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) – France
Michelin-starred meals at the airport aren’t fantasy at CDG lounges such as La Première. It's fine dining and leather loungers rival upscale French bistros. Missing a flight would be unfortunate, but totally understandable in this cocoon of calm.
Air France Flagship Lounge | Paris CDG T2F by Suite Flyer Plus
4. Istanbul Airport (IST) – Turkey
Here, even the architecture feels thoughtful. Turkish Airlines’ Business Lounge combines 24/7 access with hot local dishes and sleek media walls. Comfort is covered, whether you’re streaming news or showering off jet lag.
5. New York JFK Airport (JFK) – United States
What’s better than airport food is gourmet-level cuisine that changes by city. The Centurion Lounge is beautiful, exclusive to Amex cardholders, and topped Yelp’s 2025 lounge rankings. Add a secret speakeasy and bold design, and it’s total bliss.
6. Mexico City Benito Juárez Airport (MEX) – Mexico
You can breeze through security, then straight into a walnut-trimmed lounge with authentic cuisine. Lounges, particularly The Grand Lounge Elite, make it happen. Winner of North America’s Lounge of the Year, it also scored rave reviews from over 781,000 Priority Pass members.
VIP Experience at Mexico City International Airport (The Grand Lounge Elite MEX) by Sean & Sandy
7. Vienna International Airport (VIE) – Austria
This lounge feels like an upscale living room, but with champagne and runway views. With peaceful zones and polished service, the Vienna Lounge is more than elegant. It’s secretly one of Europe’s finest hideouts.
Exploring the VIENNA LOUNGE in Terminal 1 at Vienna Airport by Fly Around
8. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – United States
A lounge with nap pods, cold brew taps, Peloton bikes, and meals you actually want to photograph—Capital One’s debut at DFW is all that and more. No wonder it’s turning heads; even the competition is quietly taking notes between flights.
Capital One Lounge Review – DFW Airport by Jeb Brooks
9. New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – United States
Not long ago, LGA lounges were more “meh” than memorable. However, the Chase Sapphire Lounge redefined it with spa services and craft cocktails. Chase cardholders agree: the transformation is real, and suddenly, nobody minds that delay.
LGA Sapphire Lounge Tour: The Best Airport Lounge Ever? by Sam's Wallet
10. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – United States
Here you’ll get coffee brewed by a barista and views that stretch across the tarmac. The Alaska Lounge, for example, brings Pacific Northwest charm to life with local drinks and a laid-back vibe. It feels just right for aviation buffs and comfort seekers alike.
Explore Alaska Airlines Seattle-Tacoma Airport Lounges: C-D-N Comparison by Hawai'i Calling
