The Top New Airport Lounges for Summer 2024 and Beyond
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Navigating busy airports can be overwhelming. To enhance your preflight journey, the best option is to unwind in an airport lounge. These havens offer not just personal space, power outlets, and complimentary Wi-Fi; they often feature perks like cocktail bars, gourmet cuisine, showers, mini spas, stylish chill zones, and dedicated work areas.
As summer travel peaks, airlines, lounge programs, and credit cards are unveiling stylish new airport lounges, expanding their existing networks, and revealing future plans. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest developments in the airport lounge scene for Summer 2024 and beyond.
New Lounges Available with Priority Pass
As the premier independent airport lounge program worldwide—and a benefit included with most premium travel credit cards—Priority Pass provides access to over 1,500 lounges and experiences across 145 countries and 700 airports. Travelers with Priority Pass through the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee), Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee), or the Platinum Card from American Express ($695 annual fee—see rates and fees) can access Priority Pass lounges free of charge, regardless of airline or class, and can bring two guests at no extra cost. The network features a variety of lounges, ranging from unique airport-managed spaces to those owned by major airlines and credit card companies, leading to differing quality levels across locations.
In late June 2024, the network added 11 new locations across the United States—10 Escape Lounges and the newly established Club at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)—all of which are among the top offerings of Priority Pass.
Escape Lounges
At the beginning of Summer 2024, 10 existing Escape Lounges in the United States joined the Priority Pass family. These lounges are known for their reliability and stylish ambiance, typically located in smaller airports throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. While the U.K. locations were already part of Priority Pass, the American ones were not.
Previously, U.S. locations were accessible at no charge only to holders of the Platinum Card from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($650 annual fee, see rates and fees) when flying on Delta-marketed flights, or the business equivalents of these cards. Now, Priority Pass holders with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve can also access the following Escape Lounge locations in the United States:
- Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Terminal 3
- Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF) - Terminal A
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF) - Terminal B
It's important to mention that four U.S. Escape Lounges are still not part of Priority Pass (though they remain complimentary for the previously mentioned premium AmEx cardholders). These lounges are:
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Terminal 4
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Photo by Matthew McNulty
Welcoming the Club at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The Club SFO, which opened on June 26, 2024, is arguably the most thrilling addition to the Priority Pass network since the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club LGA debuted in January 2024.
Situated in the newly revamped Harvey Milk Terminal 1, this expansive 12,000-square-foot lounge pays homage to the natural and cultural beauty of Northern California. Guests are greeted by a forest-inspired entryway, followed by a cozy cocktail bar designed like a woodland cabin (featuring an abundance of NoCal wines), an open dining space, a microclimate fireplace reminiscent of a campfire, and more.
The opening aligns with the completion of Harvey Milk Terminal 1, which seamlessly connects all of SFO’s terminals and concourses on the airside. Now, regardless of airline or entry point, you can access—and enjoy—Club SFO without needing to go through security twice. However, due to the airport’s vast expanse, make sure to allow yourself plenty of time if you’re flying from other terminals.
Farewell to Priority Pass lounge alternatives
Once, Priority Pass membership linked to premium cards provided credits at affiliated airport restaurants, cafés, and bars. At these lounge alternatives, members enjoyed food and beverage credits ranging from $28 to $32 per guest. While American Express and Capital One removed these credits in previous years, Chase Sapphire Reserve was the last to offer them—until now. As of July 1, 2024, the Chase Sapphire Reserve no longer provides credits or experiences at Priority Pass's non-lounge airport dining options.
Delta Air Lines
New airport-branded lounges
Airlines are actively launching new lounges, enhancing the experience for their premium travelers. On June 21, 2024, Air France unveiled its latest signature lounge at Los Angeles (LAX) airport. Spanning 11,500 square feet, it boasts a Clarins spa offering complimentary facial treatments and a spacious dining area serving exquisite French cuisine and champagne.
On June 27, 2024, the new Delta One Lounge at New York JFK opened its doors, marking the first in a series of high-end Delta lounges. Locations in Boston (BOS) and LAX are also set to follow in 2024, with a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) lounge planned for 2025. The Delta One Lounge at JFK is a sprawling 39,707 square feet, making it the airline’s largest to date. Key features include a 140-seat full-service restaurant, beverage-cart service, a bakery, a wellness area, and a terrace with a retractable roof for year-round enjoyment.
Following the oneworld® alliance's launch of its first fully branded European lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), American Airlines, its largest member airline, has announced plans for a Flagship Lounge and a new Admirals Club in Philadelphia (PHL) in 2025. With American Airlines redesigning its lounges—The Admirals Club at Washington National in October 2022, Newark (EWR) in September 2023, and Denver (DEN) in November 2023—the new Philadelphia locations are expected to feature a modern, clean-lined design along with enhanced food and beverage options.
Courtesy of Chase Sapphire
New lounges branded by credit cards
Credit card companies are also broadening their presence in the airport lounge scene.
Later in 2024, Capital One plans to launch two Capital One Landings—culinary-centric lounge alternatives for members, created in collaboration with the renowned José Andrés Group. One will be located at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), while the other will be at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B (LGA) in New York City. Additionally, the credit card company has announced a new Capital One Lounge at New York’s JFK, which will span 13,000 square feet and be situated in the retail area of Terminal 4 (T4). The opening date is yet to be announced. All of these lounges will be available to holders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
After the grand opening of its LaGuardia gem in January 2024, Chase continues its mission to transform the airport lounge experience with new locations planned for San Diego (SAN) and Phoenix (PHX) later in 2024, followed by Las Vegas (LAS) and Philadelphia (PHL) in 2025 or later. These Chase lounges will be part of the Priority Pass network but will limit entry to one visit per cardholder per year per lounge for those with Priority Pass memberships from other financial institutions. However, those holding a Chase Sapphire Reserve will enjoy unlimited access and can bring two guests free of charge each time they visit.
Lastly, the pioneering lounge innovator, Centurion Lounge by American Express, is making a strong comeback. Following the debut of a new Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—boasting numerous outdoor terraces, soul food, and premium whiskey selections—the gold standard in lounges is set to open new locations in Washington, D.C. (DCA) by late July 2024, Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) in 2025, and Newark (EWR) in 2026. Access to Centurion Lounges is granted to holders of The Platinum Card from American Express as well as those with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (when flying on Delta-marketed flights).
While the offers mentioned above are accurate as of publication, they may change at any time and could have already been altered or become unavailable.
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