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Best Premium Airport Lounges in the US

There is no question that an essential part of the business class flying experience is the quality of airport lounges. After all, a memorable trip needs to start out right. And you don't want your trip to begin with sub-standard burgers and people spilling drinks on you at a tiny food court table.

Indeed, setting the right tone for a trip absolutely begins with the right business lounge. And you are justified in being picky about which ones you choose. After all, you pay to fly in business class, and your time is precious. Business class passengers often have deadlines to meet, important calls to make, and hectic schedules that demand concentration. So looking for the best lounges is imperative.

Defining your criteria for the best lounges

If you really want to get systematic about it - and you should - it would be worth your while to step back and lay out some evaluation criteria for how you define the best lounges for your own personal needs. Having evaluated hundreds of lounges ourselves, we have come up with the following criteria:

Ambience in the best airport lounges USA

Isn't this really what it's all about? The best airport lounges are ones that simply make you feel good. And while this is partially a matter of instinct, there are also practical things that you can look for:

  • Design. We might not all be designers ourselves, but we know when we've come upon something that's truly sophisticated. Sleek, minimalist decor is common among the best airport lounges, and some go out of their way to add a local touch. And ambience lighting doesn't hurt.
  • Comfort. Obviously, you go to airport lounges for the added comfort. How are the seats in the lounges you visit? Are there options for privacy booths and quiet zones?

Food options in the best airport lounges

Food quality is absolutely essential in a top-tier airport lounge. To find the best food options for your interests, think about the following criteria:

  • Food should be as good or better than you would get in a fine restaurant. After all, you are probably paying even higher prices at the airport.
  • Beverage choices should be substantial in the best airport lounge. Lounges that offer specialty drinks are even more desirable.
  • You should be able to choose from sit-down meals and take away options, and they should all be of high quality.

Technical considerations

As much as you may be focusing on the more elegant aspects of the lounges you visit, you can't ignore certain practical considerations. The best airport lounges USA will be fully connected to the Internet, and preferably have private work stations for people needing privacy to get work done. Some will even offer private meeting rooms.

Spa services

Yes, some of the best airport lounges in the US also offer spa services to VIP customers. This might include:

  • Spa treatments. Luxury lounges often offer massages or other types of spa treatments that you can take advantage of before your flight.
  • Showers. People often need showers if they have very long trips ahead of them; the best lounge airport will offer them.
  • Sleeping areas. Some lounges also offer private areas for people to take a nap in.

General criteria

Beyond the specifics, the lounge best suited for you will include several general characteristics: a super attentive stave who indicates a clear interest in keeping customers happy, an impeccably clean area, and a space that is easy to move around in and has good feng shui.

Best airport lounges in the US

Now that we've laid out some criteria for judgment, let's dig in and take a look at the top lounges that the USA has to offer.

1. American and British Airways Chelsea Lounge in JFK

American and British Airways have taken advantage of their partnership in the Oneworld Alliance to form a joint lounge in Terminal 8 of the JFK airport. And what a lounge it is. This elegant space features everything one might want in the best airport lounge in the country:

  • A suburb atmosphere, featuring a glass fireplace and an elegant broad chandelier covering the entire bar area.
  • 360 degree cocktail bar that features an elegant array of champagnes and other assorted drinks. If you're looking to stay dry before your flight, you might stay away! The space is simply too tempting to resist.
  • An a la carte dining room that allows you to choose individual dishes based upon your interest and precise hunger level.
  • Everything that you could want in terms of amenities in a top airport lounge: private work pods, showers, a concierge service.

2. United Polaris Lounge in Dulles

Given DC's status as the nation's capital, it is only fitting that several of the best airline lounges be situated in its biggest airport. The United Polaris Lounge is truly an exceptional place, and you can find it in Concourse C of the airport. Among its outstanding features are the following:

  • An expansive full-service dining area, complete with a buffet and complimentary drinks of all sorts.
  • A rest area that includes quiet suites where people can sleep before their flights.
  • Work pods and private booths that people can use for important calls.
  • Showers and toiletries for people to use before their flights.

Like all of United's Polaris lounges, Dulles' lounge features an elegant interior. It includes a sophisticated design of bronze, navy, and marble, fitting for one of the country's best lounges.

3. Capital One Lounge in Dulles

United isn't the only company to lay claim to a top-tier business lounge in Dulles. Capital One has a lounge that could rival that of most airlines. Eligible to passengers who use Capital One card, the Dulles lounge includes many of the features of many of the best lounges in the country:

  • An excellent food selection, including sit-down and takeaway options. The "grab and go" section features a wide variety of options, including specialty options.
  • A full-service bar that includes both standard drinks, as well as specialty local cocktails and craft beers from local breweries.
  • A full-scale coffee bar that features craft coffee and tea drinks.
  • Private workrooms that can be reserved.
  • Relaxation rooms, including one with low light and stars on the ceiling!
  • Showers and a "parents room" for people with young children.

The Capital One Lounge is conveniently located just past the TSA Checkpoint in the airport, right in the center of the main terminal.

4. Turkish Airlines Lounge in Dulles

The Turkish Airlines Lounge in Concourse B of the Dulles airport also makes the list for the best airline lounges in the US. The first thing you should know about this lounge is that anyone can get into it if they hold a Priority Pass. To get a Priority Pass, you simply pay an annual membership fee (the precise cost varies depending on the membership level you choose). Once you get the pass, you can get into any participating lounge in the country.

What makes this particular lounge stand out are the following features:

  • Two spacious and distinctly different main rooms. One has a buffet and different types of seating arrangements, and the other features a cocktail bar for a more casual atmosphere.
  • A workspace area with several computers and full connectivity.
  • A prayer room, a children's room, and showers.

The only occasional issue with this lounge is that it can sometimes be too popular and tends to get crowded. Be mindful of this if you plan to get work done there.

5. Chase Sapphire Lounge in LaGuardia

New York's other airport also features in the top list, and you may find that it is the lounge best suited for you if you fly through LaGuardia. The Chase Sapphire Lounge in Laguardia actually encompasses two stories. It is truly massive by the standards of airport lounges. And not only is it big, but the 21,000 square foot space has a lot to offer:

  • A la carte dining to suit different needs
  • A 360 degree bar featuring craft cocktails and special drinks from one of New York's most famous bars
  • Special rooms, including an arcade, a facial bar, an art room, and a fireplace room
  • A private lounge that can be reserved for private parties

This lounge is so replete with offerings that it would almost be easier to list the things it doesn't offer. You truly have to see it to believe it. There are several ways that people can gain eligibility: You can either hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve club card, JP Morgan Reserve, or Ritz Carlton credit card, or you can hold a Priority Pass club card or a business class/first class ticket to wherever you are flying. It is located in Terminal B of the airport, just past security.

6. Delta Sky Club in LAX

Delta Sky Clubs are pretty fabulous in general, but the one in LAX really takes the cake. The total square footage of the club even beats that of The Chase Sapphire Lounge: it encompasses a stunning 30,000 feet of amenities and decor that is meant to mimic that of Southern California: natural tones, sunset hues, and woods that evoke the spirit of the area. It is unquestionably one of the best lounges that you will find in the country. Beyond that, the club has some pretty fabulous features:

  • An open-air sky deck with a retractable roof and edge-to-edge bar, the view from which can't be beat.
  • Two huge buffets and a giant coffee bar surrounded by Italian mosaic tiles, to give guests the feeling that they are in Italy.
  • Private workspaces and booths for conference calls.
  • Shower cabinets.

The lounge can be found in Terminals 2 and 3 of LAX. The Terminal 3 location is bigger.

7. Qantas First Lounge LAX

Given Qantas' reputation as one of the world's leading airlines, it is no surprise that one of its lounges makes the list as one of the best lounge airport in the US.. In fact, all Qantas lounges are pretty spectacular, but we found the First Lounge at LAX to be the very best.

Why? Several reasons:

  • The lounge has a sleek design with California-inspired materials and tones, including oak, marble, and Knoll furniture, as well as Australian art themes.
  • It features a la carte dining to suit personal choices.
  • The bar serves both standard cocktails and also espresso-based drinks, and includes a selection of the finest Australian wines.

The Qantas First Lounge on Level 5 of the Tom Bradley International Terminal is open to first and business class passengers, as well as Oneworld Emerald Elite club members. Note that this lounge too suffers from occasional overcrowding due to its extreme popularity as one of the best airport lounges in the country.. Hopefully you'll be able to hit it at a quiet time!

8. The Club at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson

The Club at ATL is another Delta club that merits inclusion in the top ranks, and which many Atlanta fliers consider the best airport lounge for them. The Club, located in Concourse F, consists of different sections for different level members. Upon entering, there is a section that is cordoned off for premium members only. This area offers extra plush seating, complimentary food and drinks, and private showers available by reservation.

The rest of the lounge is no slouch, either, though. In it, you will find:

  • A spacious open-air space with a variety of seating options, including high chairs, armchairs, ottomans, and more.
  • A separate business center with dedicated workspaces.
  • A hot food buffet and non-alcoholic drinks section.
  • A separate cocktail bar that offers a full range of cocktails, including specialty cocktails.
  • A separate fresh fruit, candy, and snacks section where people can grab snacks on the go.

The Club offers spectacular views of runways, so passengers can either sit and gaze out, or focus on their own activities as they wish. Another nice thing about this lounge is that there are a variety of ways to get in: You can enter with a business class or first class ticket, with a Priority Pass, or simply by paying a flat fee of $50 to enter. It is truly one of the best lounges you can find.

9. Air France Lounge in Logan

Considering the French reputation for being at the top of many world lists of all things culinary and style-related, it is only natural that their national airline should make the list of the US top airline lounges. The Air France lounge in Terminal F of Logan airport is a picture of elegance. Its tasteful decor incorporates shades of blue throughout - the colors of the airline. And it has a number of standout features to offer guests:

  • Comfortable padded armchairs throughout the lounge, with a large buffet I'm the middle that is easily reached from any direction.
  • A fine selection of canapés, finger sandwiches, and light lunch options in addition to hot meals from the buffet.
  • A self-serve drinks section featuring premium liquors, where people can create their own cocktails.

The only major drawback to the Air France lounge is that it has no windows. So if plane gazing is your goal, you might want to seek out a different Logan lounge. Passengers can enter with a business or first class ticket or a Priority Pass club card.

Find the lounge best suited for you

This is just a short list of the best airlines with lounges, of course, and there are many outstanding lounges all over the country. In choosing the top lounges based upon our selection criteria, we were unfortunately limited to a small number of airports. And while these are some of the most popular airports - and likely ones that you will go through - you may well have different needs based upon your own particular routing.

In any case, you now have a sampling of some of the very best lounges in the country, and when your travels do take you to these airports, you know where to go. But regardless of where you fly, be sure to think about your own personal priorities with regard to atmosphere, amenities, culinary options, etc when you make an airline lounge comparison. In addition, be sure to check out alternative options for entry as you might be