Luxury Takes Flight: The Best New Airport Lounges That Opened in 2024

I travel a lot and have grown to value airport lounges more than ever. Having access to a great lounge can turn a travel day from a stressful experience to an enjoyable one. However, not all lounges are created equal — some are pretty basic, while others truly stand out.

This year, we saw a lot of exciting lounge openings. From the expansion of the Chase Sapphire and Centurion Lounge networks to the first Delta One Lounge to new Priority Pass options, 2024 was a good year for lounges.

Let’s look back at some of the year’s most exciting lounge openings. If you haven’t visited these yet, put them on your radar for your 2025 travel plans.

6 Most Exciting Lounge Openings From 2024

1. Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia (Opened January 2024)

The year started strong with the opening of the Chase Sapphire Lounge at LGA at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in January 2024. It was just the second domestic Sapphire Lounge location (the first opened in Boston in 2023), and it quickly became known as one of the best lounges in the country. I was able to visit about a week after it opened and quickly fell in love with the space.

The 2-level lounge is bright and inviting, despite having no natural light. Amenities include a kid’s space, a music-themed mini-arcade, and a spa area. There’s a full bar and buffet or you can order from the menu to have food delivered directly to your table.

How To Access: Cardholders and authorized users who have a Priority Pass membership from the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, or The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card get unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges. Those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the J.P. Morgan Reserve card can bring in 2 guests per visit. Additional guests cost $27 each. Ritz-Carlton cardholders get unlimited guests.

Anyone with a Priority Pass but without one of these Chase credit cards gets 1 complimentary entry per year.

2. Amex Centurion Lounge at ATL (Opened February 2024)

In February of 2024, the largest Centurion Lounge opened at the world’s busiest airport, Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The Centurion Lounge at ATL features workstations, shower suites, and multiple outdoor terraces. In addition to the main bar that serves wines and signature cocktails, The Reserve by American Express is the first dedicated whiskey bar in any Centurion Lounge.

A local restaurateur and chef created a menu of modern Southern dishes, and local art adorns the walls. The main seating area combines nature and art to create a truly stunning space, featuring a live 50-year-old olive tree and a 3,850-square-foot custom light sculpture.

How To Access: You’ll need one of the following American Express cards: The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, or the Centurion^® Card from American Express. After spending $75,000 in a calendar year on the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, you unlock the ability to bring in up to 2 guests free of charge. Otherwise, guests cost $50 each ($30 for kids ages 2 to 17). Centurion cardholders get 2 complimentary guests with each visit.

Additionally, you can enter when you book a same-day Delta flight with either the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card. Cardholders can bring in up to 2 guests for $50 each ($30 for kids ages 2 to 17).

3. The Club SFO (Opened June 2024)

The Club SFO opened this summer, in the new Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The lounge’s design exudes a northern California vibe — complete with a fire pit area.

There’s a buffet with hot and cold options, a live cooking station, and menu ordering. The expansive bar offers cocktails, beers, and wines, plus coffee, soda, and water.

Additional amenities include 3 large shower rooms, 3 private luminescence rooms, a nursing room, a family room, and a workout room complete with Lululemon coaching mirrors. Multiple seating areas, including a quiet area, are available.

How To Access: You can enter The Club SFO with a Priority Pass membership or by purchasing a day pass for $75.

4. Delta One Lounge at JFK (Opened June 2024)

Delta’s first business-class-only lounge debuted at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in June 2024.

The Delta One Lounge at JFK was the first of its kind, and at over 39,000 square feet, it’s bigger than any Delta Sky Club.

This premium lounge includes a 140-seat restaurant that serves 3-course meals, walk-up service at a buffet and bakery with plated dishes, and self-serve beverage carts throughout the lounge. There’s a relaxation area with 9 relaxation pods and massage chairs, plus the Serenity Lounge has specialty lighting to help your body’s natural circadian rhythms adjust to your destination. Additionally, this spectacular lounge features 8 shower suites, soundproof booths, and a terrace with a retractable roof.

How To Access: You’ll need a same-day Delta One ticket (departing or arriving). Passengers with the invitation-only Delta 360° status, departing or arriving on the same day in Delta first class, are also admitted. Finally, access is allowed for passengers in business or first class on same-day departing or connecting flights operated by Air France, LATAM, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic.

5. Amex Centurion Lounge at DCA (Opened July 2024)

The Amex Centurion Lounge at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the newest Centurion Lounge in the U.S.

At just 12,000 square feet, this lounge isn’t nearly as big as the other Centurion Lounge that opened this year in Atlanta. However, it offers seating and amenities you’d expect at a Centurion location. It’s located in Terminal 2 (which isn’t connected after security to Terminal 1), offering easy access to guests flying on American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue.

There’s plenty of seating overlooking the terminal as well as a meeting room, multi-purpose room, and a shower room (all are first come, first served).

Multiple beverage stations are located throughout the lounge, and the bar serves wines (including some that are locally made) and custom cocktails inspired by D.C. The central buffet serves an international menu curated by 3 chefs from different parts of the country (a break from the Centurion Lounge tradition of featuring a single local chef).

How To Access: You’ll need an Amex Platinum card, an Amex Business Platinum card, a Centurion card to access Centurion lounges. You can also enter with a Delta Reserve card or a Delta Reserve Business with a same-day Delta boarding pass.

6. The Club MDW (Opened September 2024)

The opening of The Club MDW at Chicago’s Midway International Airport (MDW) was exciting because it was the first lounge in the airport’s 96-year history to be open to the general public. Previously, there was just a USO Lounge reserved for military members.

I was able to attend the media preview before it opened and was thrilled to see the new space. The bright and modern lounge is located at the intersection of Concourses A, B, and C, across from the food court. While not huge (it’s just under 3,300 square feet), the space offers travelers a comfortable place to sit with runway views. It also features a buffet with hot and cold items, a full bar with accessible seating, and gender-neutral bathrooms.

How To Access: You can enter The Club MDW with a Priority Pass membership or by purchasing a day pass for $50.

Final Thoughts

Airport lounges can transform a stressful day in a loud, crowded terminal into an enjoyable experience in quiet comfort. Thankfully, many credit cards you may already have in your wallet come with access to some great lounges, including many that opened in 2024. These lounges are all worth a visit, so be sure to stop on your next trip.