9 of the Best Priority Pass Lounges Around the World

For most travelers, the Priority Pass Select membership that comes with The Platinum Card from American Express UK is one of the best value-added perks. If you don’t have elite status with an airline or the ability to travel in business class on your company’s dime, the extra value of a pre-departure lounge can really add up.

Although Priority Pass has been expanding from its core lounge business, including partnering with more than 30 restaurants at US airports and sending out offers to save on airport purchases, for most travellers, at most airports, a Priority Pass membership is still primarily about the lounges.

Since Priority Pass doesn’t own or operate the lounges itself, but rather contracts with them to give its members access, the quality can vary massively. Some lounges are little more than a small room with bottled water and dubious-looking food, but some are really as good as (or better than) what you’d get if you were flying in a premium cabin. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the best Priority Pass lounges around the world, as well as which lounges are open 24 hours a day.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About the Priority Pass Program

1. SkyTeam Lounge at London Heathrow (LHR)

Location: Terminal 4 at LHR, across from gate 10 past security

Hours: 5 a.m. — 10 p.m.

Amenities: The SkyTeam lounge at London Heathrow checks all the standard boxes (showers, Wi-Fi, a good food and alcohol selection) but really goes above and beyond that. Between a multitude of spacious and private seating options, a self-serve wine bar, dining options from around the world and a complimentary spa treatment for guests, this is the ideal place to relax before boarding a long-haul flight.

2. Star Alliance Lounge at Charles de Gaulle in Paris (CDG)

Location: Terminal 1 at CDG, after passport control but before security on level 11

Hours: 5:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.

Amenities: The Star Alliance Lounge at CDG is a great way to say au revoir to Paris, with an appropriately impressive selection of French wines and gourmet food. The real highlight, however, is the outdoor terrace that gives you a chance to suck in one last gulp of fresh, non-pressurized/recycled air before you board your flight.

3. Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge at Bangkok (BKK)

Location: International concourse E at BKK

Hours: 5 a.m. — 8:30 p.m.

Amenities: BKK is an incredibly spread-out airport, but the Oman Air lounge is worth the walk if you have time. The lounge features plenty of seating options, secluded daybeds if you need a nap before your flight and a calming underwater design accentuated by the fish tanks spread throughout the lounge. Check out TPG’s full review of the lounge.

4. Turkish Airlines Lounge at Washington Dulles (IAD)

Location: Airside at IAD, near gate B43

Hours: 6 a.m. — 11 p.m.

Amenities: The Turkish Airlines lounge at Washington Dulles is hands down one of the best Priority Pass lounges within the US, between an elegant and upscale design, an appetizing buffet with plenty of hot and cold options, and model airplanes sprinkled throughout the lounge to enhance the decoration. The best part, though, is the giant floor-to-ceiling windows that face out over the international concourse at Dulles, giving plane spotters plenty of live entertainment to keep them occupied. Check out TPG’s full review of the lounge.

5. Almost@Home Lounge at Helsinki (HEL)

Location: Airside at HEL in the Non-Schengen area before Gate 32. Non-Schengen flights only.

Hours: 5:30 a.m. — 11:30 p.m.

Amenities: The Almost@Home Lounge in Helsinki offers varied seating options and a tremendous food selection, including regional specialties, and a cooking area where guests can even make their own meals. The lounge also features showers, complimentary Wi-Fi, wine, beer and soft drinks.

6. SATS Premier Lounge at Singapore (SIN)

Location: Airside in terminal 1 & 2 at SIN

Hours: 24 hours a day

Amenities: Singapore Changi Airport offers an incredible 11 Priority Pass lounges to choose from, but it’s also home to the SATS Premier Lounge (with one location in terminal 1 and another in terminal 2), which has been voted the best Priority Pass lounge in Asia. TPG Senior Points & Miles Writer JT Genter checked it out before boarding the world’s longest flight from Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR), and found that it was indeed one of the best Priority Pass lounges around — including an excellent hot food buffet, speedy Wi-Fi, surprisingly good massage chairs and spotless showers.

7. Sala VIP International at Quito (UIO)

Location: Airside at UIO, after security and passport control on the departure level, in front of the Duty Free Shop. International flights only.

Hours: 24 hours a day

Amenities: Quito’s Sala VIP International lounge has been a repeat winner of both regional and international awards for the best Priority Pass lounge. It’s easy to see why, with an outdoor terrace, private work spaces, sleeping areas, massage rooms and showers for guests.

8. Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi (NAN)

Location: International terminal departures area at NAN, airside past the Duty Free Shops on the ground level, past the escalators toward the Departure Level on the left hand side.

Hours: 5 a.m. — 11 p.m.

Amenities: Although Nadi airport historically hasn’t been known for its lounge offerings, Fiji Airways’ somewhat new flagship lounge is a great option. Guests will enjoy chef-inspired menus, baristas, spa (charges apply), nanny service and the exclusive ‘Fiji Bean Cart’. A locally inspired design, including a live greenery wall and constellation lighting representing the Fijian summer and winter skies, will help stretch your vacation out until the last possible minute.

9. Aspire Lounge at Zurich (ZRH)

Location: Airside at ZRH, above gate E45 (non-Schengen flights only)

Hours: 6 a.m. — 10 p.m.

Amenities: There are actually two very similar Aspire lounges at Zurich, depending on where you’re flying to. They even have similar operating hours, though the other one opens and closes about an hour earlier. The lounge features an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the runway below, and the Swiss Alps off in the distance.

Lounges Open 24 Hours a Day

Although most people don’t plan on staying at an airport overnight, delays/cancellations happen and plans sometimes change. Additionally, if you’re a budget traveler, you might not be willing to shell out the high cost for an airport hotel room for such a short stay. As you can see above, many of the best Priority Pass lounges do close at night, but fortunately, there still are many that stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In the US, the only options open and accessible to Priority Pass members around the clock are Sleepbox and Minute Suites. These are essentially private rooms designed for napping and working and can be found inside terminals at airports such as Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Philadelphia (PHL).

However, you’ll find a plethora of traditional lounges open around the clock elsewhere around the world. For instance, major airports like Mexico City (MEX), Madrid (MAD), Paris (CDG), Cairo (CAI), Dubai (DXB), Hong Kong (HKG) and Singapore (SIN) all have terrific 24-hour Priority Pass lounges.

Priority Pass membership as a credit card benefit

A Priority Pass Select membership is included with The Platinum Card from American Express UK, although enrollment is required.

Bottom line

Many major international airports now have more than one Priority Pass lounge or affiliated restaurant, with some like Singapore (SIN) even having 10 or more. Many even have lounges that are open around the clock. It’s important to do your research and read lounge reviews whenever possible to make sure you spend your layover at the most pleasant lounge possible and not get turned away because you showed up outside of the hours Priority Pass members are admitted.

Further Reading: The 9 Best Priority Pass Lounges in the US