I’ve published my lists of what I consider to be the world’s best first class lounges and best business class lounges, and I’ve also shared what amenities make an airport lounge good. In this post, I thought it would be fun to be a bit lighthearted, and share some of my favorite airline lounge amenities.
I’m focusing specifically on unique or over-the-top offerings that are in a league of their own. I’m avoiding things like complimentary lounge spa treatments, which are awesome, but which I’ve kept a separate list of. Rather, I’m talking about features that stand out from the competition, no matter how major or minor.
With that in mind, below are some of my picks, in no particular order. I invite others to share their favorites as well.
Finnair Platinum Wing Helsinki sauna
I love when airlines integrate their local culture into the passenger experience, and that’s something Finnair very much does in Helsinki. Finnair’s Platinum Wing Helsinki, along with a couple of other lounges at the airport, offer a sauna that passengers can use prior to their flight.
That sure is a unique amenity, though admittedly it’s not going to be everyone’s vibe for a pre-flight activity. Note that one of the Air France lounges in Paris also has a sauna, though it seems like Finnair deserves the mention here, given to what extent it’s part of Finnish culture.
SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich bedrooms
While several airport lounges have nap rooms, SWISS’ First Class Lounge Zurich takes it to the next level, with its two private bedrooms. The bedrooms feature heavenly beds from Hästens, a TV, a private bathroom and shower, and views of the apron.
Not only will you not find a more comfortable bed at any other airport, you might not find a more comfortable bed anywhere! It’s like sleeping on a cloud. The only problem with sleeping is that you can’t enjoy the plane views from bed.
Qatar Airways First Class Lounge Doha hot tub
Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa First Lounge Doha has a spa with treatments that are chargeable. However, one feature that’s included is the hot tub, which guests can enjoy on a first come, first served basis. This is a fun amenity, though for us germaphobes, it’s perhaps a bit less fun when you consider how many of us have sat in the same spot here.
Qatar Airways Business Class Lounge Doha gym
Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Garden Business Lounge Doha has several impressive amenities. Personally, my favorite unique amenity is that the lounge has a small gym, which has cardio equipment, and a limited selection of free weights. There’s even a locker room next to it, so that you can easily shower and change.
Now, given what an amazing facility Hamad International Airport is, my preferred cardio is just roaming the terminal, at least during non-rush hour periods.
SWISS First Lounge Zurich terrace
There’s something really nice about getting fresh air while traveling by air, especially if you’re connecting between flights. So we’ve seen an increasing number of airport lounges offer outdoor terraces, though my absolute favorite is at the SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich.
There’s a lot of seating, and the views of the apron and runway couldn’t be better. For plane spotters, it’s an absolute paradise. In summer the airline even tries to even offer a special experience out there, with ice cream and other seasonal treats. Admittedly the lounge terrace trend is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s something that Delta seems to offer in its lounges whenever possible.
Lufthansa First Class Lounge ducks
Over the years, Lufthansa has developed a unique tradition of offering a rotating selection of rubber ducks at its First Class Lounges in Frankfurt and Munich, as well as at the First Class Terminal Frankfurt. This started innocently enough back in the day, when the airline just put rubber ducks next to its lounge bathtubs. However, over the years they’ve become a collectors item, and the airline has really embraced it.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai direct boarding
For many people, boarding can be the most stressful part of a flight. Even if you have lounge access, you typically have to leave the lounge to get to your gate. Emirates has sort of redefined that concept, as the Emirates First Lounge Dubai in Terminal A (as well as the Emirates Business Lounge) span the entire length of the concourse, and offer direct boarding from the lounge to the aircraft. The scale of these lounges is simply unrivaled.
Emirates also offers boarding directly from the lounge at several of its outstation lounges, like in Milan and New York. However, it’s not quite to the level of what you’ll find in Dubai.
British Airways First Wing London security
There’s something to be said for how easy an airline makes it to actually get to the lounge. For those with access to the British Airways First Galleries Lounge (oneworld Emerald members have access to this), the British Airways First Wing offers a private security checkpoint that gets you straight into the lounge, so it’s tough to beat the convenience of that.
Admittedly this isn’t the only priority checkpoint like this in the world, but I do think it’s one of the most useful ones, and it’s perhaps the aspect of the ground experience that most sets British Airways apart from the competition in the region.
Air France La Premiere First Class Lounge immigration
Air France’s La Premiere first class ground experience is the best in the world on balance, bar none. It really feels more like private aviation than commercial aviation, given the extent to which you’re looked after every step of the way.
However, perhaps the single most seamless aspect of this is how if you’re landing in Paris and are terminating your travels there, you can clear immigration without even getting out of the car. Essentially, you’re picked up plane side, then you’re driven by the La Premiere Lounge for entry formalities (without exiting the car), and then you’re dropped off immediately in the La Premiere arrivals lounge area, where you can enjoy a meal, exit the airport, etc.
Bottom line
There are lots of exceptional airport lounges out there, and I wanted to call out some of the airlines that have raised the bar when it comes to unique lounge features. These aren’t necessarily my favorite lounge amenities in the world, but rather they stand out for how they’re different or better than others.
I’m sure there are some others I’m missing, so I’d love to hear what you think the most memorable lounge amenities are. Admittedly we’ve seen some cool amenities cut over the years, ranging from the Etihad First Lounge Abu Dhabi’s gym, to the Etihad First Lounge Abu Dhabi’s barber shop, to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London’s hair salon.
What are your favorite, unique airline lounge amenities?