It seems like the ideal airport layover. You bypass the hordes of travelers at the gate, stroll past a velvet rope and settle into a calm oasis of comfy chairs, unlimited snacks and high-speed Wi-Fi.
In these edens, there’s table service by uniformed staff. Press one button at the tap for still water, another for sparkling. In the bathroom, there’s designer-brand hand soap and fluffy white towels. Need to make a quick phone call? Don’t worry, there’s a private soundproof pod at your disposal. Tired? Here, put your feet up on this nice leather ottoman.
This scene now feels like a fantasy from a lost time, and a different reality is emerging as higher air travel demand, and widespread credit-card and partner-member benefits, transform the airport-lounge experience. The trend has prompted some experts to predict changes in how lounges are priced, or perhaps whether some airports would eventually bypass them altogether.
“Travel has increased significantly. It’s the rise of the middle class,” says Mei Mei Song, chief transformation officer of the Plaza Premium Group, which operates lounges and concierge services in airports around the world.
“There are also shifts in the airport lounge. Do we all want to make travel better? Yes. There are different experiences that we can offer them, and I can see the market start to vary according to the profile of the consumer.”
