The UK’s Best Airline Lounges

Restaurants, massages, saunas, champagne rooms, DJ booths - the new era of airport lounges has arrived. To talk us through the latest and greatest offerings from the world’s best premium airlines, we asked James Howe of First and Business Earling to share his expertise.

In my opinion, few airline lounges can compare to Qatar Airways. Their lounge at London Heathrow offers a fantastic experience with both buffet and a la carte dining, a cocktail bar, and private and quiet areas. Because it is only for Qatar and oneworld First and Business Class passengers, the lounge is never crowded. Their lounge in Doha though takes it to a whole other level – an entire terminal dedicated just to their First and Business Class passengers. I visited the lounge recently and was blown away to find that it was spread over two floors. Even the terminal’s check-in area is a premium experience with comfortable seating and refreshment areas.

While Qatar Airways offers a relaxing experience, Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse has more of a fun atmosphere. It’s the kind of lounge that has a lot of hype around it – you’ll often spot a few celebrities in there. One of their standout features is their limo to lounge service, with a chauffeur transporting you to the airport and dropping you directly off at the lounge. Once in the lounge you can enjoy a spa treatment, relax at the spa pool or sauna, get a haircut at the Bumble and Bumble salon, enjoy a range of dining options or hang out at the bar which has a DJ booth (I heard Kanye West once played some turns there).

My favourite thing about the Emirates Lounge is that you can go straight from the lounge to the aircraft, which saves a lot of time and lets you really relax and enjoy yourself. While you’re there you can enjoy buffet or restaurant dining as well as a full bar service while enjoying a great view of the runway.

The newly opened Silverkris lounge in Terminal 2 is the third addition in Singapore Airlines' new ‘home away from home’ design and features separate First and Business Class areas and the airline’s signature high level of service. The lounge is great for dining, especially in the First Class area where you can enjoy a buffet area and a la carte dining with five different menus available throughout the day. In Business, you can help yourself to the freshly prepared buffet and the bar area which is manned by a professional mixologist.

Etihad do a great job of replicating their luxurious onboard experience in their Heathrow Lounge. The space is very relaxing and stylish, with everything from a la carte and buffet dining options to a Six Senses Spa where you can enjoy a complementary 15 minute facial or massage. There’s even a sound proof kids play area. What most people really appreciate though is the service - there are no announcements in the lounge, instead, staff notify you personally when your flight is boarding.

For more information or premium airlines, see our premium airline guide.