Does business class get lounge access?

In most cases, yes. If you’re flying internationally in long-haul business class, you can almost guarantee that you’ll be able to access a business class lounge.

Which credit card has the best airport lounge access?

The best credit cards for lounge access are The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. We’ve also written a complete guide on the best credit cards with lounge access!

How do I get into the business class lounge?

You can get into a business class lounge by either flying on a qualifying business class ticket, having sufficient airline elite status, holding a specific credit card, or paying for lounge access.

What lounges are available for Star Alliance business class flyers?

If you’re flying in business class, you can usually either access a Star Alliance-branded lounge, an airline business class lounge, or a partner business class lounge (whichever is available in the airport). You can find a qualifying Star Alliance lounge here.

How can I get into business class lounges for free?

You can get into business class lounges for free as a complimentary benefit for booking a qualifying business class, by holding a certain credit card, by having top airline elite status, or by booking a premium cabin award ticket.

The 17 Best Business Class Lounges in the World [2023]

Accessing lavish airport lounges is a quintessential part of the business class experience. If you have the privilege of flying in business class, you may also have the ability to enjoy a business class lounge experience.

And with airlines continuing to invest greatly in business class, you may also experience newly renovated business class lounges with enhanced food and amenities.

In fact, the quality of an airline’s business class lounge has often been thought of as a reflection of the airline as a whole. And while most airlines maintain their flagship business class lounges at their hub airports, it’s also possible to find incredible options at outstations around the world.

So in this guide, we’ll show you the best business class lounges in the world. Let’s get into it!

Table of contents

What Makes a Great Business Class Airport Lounge?
The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

What Makes a Great Business Class Airport Lounge?
The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World
Final Thoughts

What Makes a Great Business Class Airport Lounge?

The purpose of an airport lounge is to provide an exclusive and private space away from the main terminal to savor a meal, imbibe a cocktail, get some shut-eye, freshen up with a shower, or do work in peace.

Characteristics of a fantastic business class airport lounge can include the following:

Spacious and/or not crowded
Excellent amenities like shower suites, nap areas, and comfortable seats
Thoughtful food and beverage options, including à la carte dining
Unique, centerpiece facilities like a spa, game room, or cocktail bar
Intimate ambiance

So if you can find a business class lounge that checks off all of these boxes, you’ll be in for a treat.

Without further ado, let’s get into the best business class lounges in the world!

The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World

We dug through all of the major business class lounges globally, compared the pros and cons of each, and aggregated them into a decisive list for you.

Many of these options won’t be surprising, but you might find a handful of business class lounges you didn’t expect to find!

Update: Some of the lounges featured in this article may be closed or operating under reduced opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at DOH (Hamad International)

Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge - Stairs to Buffet — Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Location: Level 3
Opening Hours: 24/7

Our absolute best business class lounge in the world is Qatar Airways’ famous Al Mourjan Lounge, which is an absolute architectural marvel.

Located in Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH), this humongous, 2.5-acre lounge is a cavernous space reminiscent of a museum, thanks to its huge ceilings and expansive real estate.

With capacity for hundreds of travelers (even taking into account social distancing), you’ll find plenty of seating options, including lounge chairs, private pods, dining tables and chairs, booth seating, and private alcoves with sofas and recliners.

There are 2 options for dining — a buffet restaurant with a cocktail bar serving premium beverages and an à la carte section serving light bites and sandwiches. The buffet restaurant serves a variety of different cuisines and has beautiful, soaring ceilings.

In the main buffet area, you’ll find sushi (non-breakfast hours only), Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine, Western food options like pasta, artisanal desserts, and fantastic drinks like Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne!

In addition to the eateries, you’ll find an area with shower suites and quiet rooms to take a quick nap. Also, Al Mourjan Lounge has a fantastic set of facilities for families, including family rooms with games like foosball and game consoles, as well as nursing and changing rooms.

You’ll find plenty of power outlets, lighting schemes, magazine racks, a full business center with 4 desktop workstations, office chairs, cubicles, and a meeting room.

Hot Tip: Want to see more of this resort-like lounge? Read our detailed tour of Al Mourjan Business Lounge at DOH that includes plenty of photos! You can also see our tips for the best ways to book Qatar Airways QSuites with points and miles.

2. Emirates Business Class Lounge at DXB (Dubai International)

Location: Terminal 3, Concourse B (inside security)
Opening Hours: 24/7

Emirates is world-famous for its lavish first and business class seats, and in a similar vein, its lounges worldwide are exceptional. They’re even more luxurious at its hub airport in Dubai (DXB).

Before you even get to the lounge, Emirates has an exceptional business class ground experience, including a dedicated airport entrance, check-in lines, security checkpoints, and more.

But once you arrive at the lounge, you’ll be blown away by the incredible amenities available. Indeed, its list of amenities is so expansive that it’s difficult to describe everything — but we’ll give it our best shot!

Starting with the seating areas, you’ll find lounge chairs, armchairs, and dining chairs and tables, as well as a few chaise lounges to get a quick nap in.

The lounge is located above the main concourse, which means open-air spaces, high ceilings, and excellent people-watching.

The buffet is massive and has numerous hot food options, including an Asian section, a Mediterranean area, a dessert bar, a Moët & Chandon Champagne lounge with small bites like pomegranate macaroons, a Costa Coffee bar, and a series of self-serve drinks, ranging from liquor to fine wines to VOSS water, and even Häagen-Dazs ice cream.

One of the hallmarks of this lounge is the fact that there are 2 cigar bars if you’re a smoker.

Of course, you will find shower suites, lots of restrooms, a spa (with surcharge), literature aisles, televisions, fast and free Wi-Fi, and an abundance of power outlets to stay connected.

The lounge has a huge play area with video game consoles, arcade games, and plenty of activities to keep the children occupied.

You’ll also find a few business centers with cubicles, workspaces, and desktop computers. In the same vicinity, you’ll find more leather armchairs with ottomans and blankets.

Lastly, direct boarding is available for select flights, which means you can seamlessly walk directly onto your plane from the business class lounge.

3. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST (Istanbul)

Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Live Cooking Station 2 — Live cooking station at Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Location: International Terminal, up the escalator, opposite gate E1
Opening Hours: 24/7

One of our absolute favorite business class lounges in the entire world is the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST. Eclipsing the old business class lounge at Ataturk, this new business class lounge is a huge, open-air space across 2 floors.

The Turkish Airlines ascends above the main terminal, and showcases functional design elements, compared to the ostentatious old lounge. One of the first things you will find is a beautiful, self-playing (!) grand piano, an open stage space with a huge projector screen, and lots of comfortable seating options.

Immediately near the entrance, there’s a large niche with plenty of storage lockers, Wi-Fi kiosks to get access codes, a cluster of plush, white leather chairs, a business center with PC and Mac desktop computers, a printer, and shared workspaces. There’s also a TV area with 12 televisions and more lounge chairs.

Other options include wooden dining chairs and tables, sunken armchairs, and an open-air kitchen reminiscent of a log cabin.

You’ll want to make your way to the food and drink area immediately because Turkish Airlines is world-famous for its spectacular food. In this lounge, there are self-serve buffets, live cooking stations, and open kitchens.

Starting in the self-serve area, there’s a gigantic salad spread, soups, Asian entrees, and a drool-inducing showcase of Turkish desserts.

There are also grills where you can order meat and side dishes, a self-serve drink section, staffed coffee and tea stations with Gaggia espresso machines, and much more.

One of the highlights of this lounge is the beautiful, marble-clad bathrooms and shower rooms with luxury amenities.

Astonishingly, you’ll also find around 15 private suites, each with a twin bed with plush bedding, a wall-mounted TV, a desk, a chair, and individually-controlled air conditioning!

This lounge also has lots of daybeds separated with curtains, private conference rooms, a dark room, a golf simulator, a video game room, a playroom for kids, ironing services, a library, and more.

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth review and photos of the amazing Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST!

4. Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ (Toronto Pearson)

Location: International Departures, on the upper level next to gate E77
Opening Hours: Daily from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Air Canada’s flagship ground experience is at the Signature Suite, which only exists at 2 airports: Toronto (YYZ) or Vancouver (YVR). The Toronto location premiered before the Vancouver one, but this location is still known to be the best one, despite being slightly older.

If you’re connected from a domestic Canadian flight, you’ll be picked up in a BMW from your arrival gate and whisked to the Signature Suite.

It only gets more fun from there because this lounge is one of the most exclusive lounges in the entire world. First, you’ll have your luggage stored away by a porter.

Most of the lounge is filled with upscale fine dining chairs, booths, and dining tables. Even though this lounge is on the smaller side, you’ll rarely see more than half capacity due to strict access rules.

You’ll find a small buffet to start, but you’ll want to save your stomach for the à la carte service offering favorites like beef tenderloin with matchstick potatoes, Harissa-marinated lingcod, Moroccan-braised lamb shank, and vegetarian options.

The Signature Suite’s cocktail bar is equally impressive, stocking top-shelf options like Moët & Chandon Rosé and Brut and curating artisanal mixed drinks. You’ll enjoy freshly-crafted Lavazza espresso drinks and tea by Sloan.

Elsewhere in the lounge, you’ll find a VIP private room, a relaxation area with couches, recliners, square armchairs, and more. There aren’t any family rooms, spas, or nap rooms — the lounge was designed to be more of a fine-dining, privacy-first experience instead of a gigantic space with lots of amenities.

There are tons of power adapters and USB outlets everywhere. Each of the 6 individual toilets is spotless and stocked with Molton Brown lotion and hand soap.

The only complaints with this lounge are that there aren’t any plane-spotting views or showers (you’ll have to visit the Maple Leaf Lounge nearby to get a shower).

Nonetheless, the Signature Suite offers an impeccable food and beverage experience on par with some first class lounges.

5. Air France Business Lounge at CDG (Charles de Gaulle)

Location: Hall L of Terminal 2E
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The Air France Business Lounge at CDG is a relatively new and highly-impressive space spanning over 34,000 square feet with phenomenal amenities. Note that this lounge is only available to those flying outside the Schengen area.

To start off, the main relaxation space, masterminded by luxury French interior design expert Mathieu Lehanneur, has a white marble bar as its centerpiece with blue velvet seats surrounding it. The entire area is capped with a gold-paneled ceiling.

The food and beverage area starts with a 1,700 square-foot bar (Le Balcon), that from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. boasts a cocktail and cocktail selection by the head bartender of the Hotel Lancaster in Paris.

The highlight of the food and beverage area is the Gourmet Table, which is where the chef prepares the dish of the day, fresh. It’s not a full à la carte menu by any means, but the buffet should help satisfy any other cravings you might have.

This lounge also has a 6,000-square-foot wellness area with chaise lounges, mini-suites with chaise lounges enclosed with curtains, a detox bar serving Palais des Thés detox teas and Evian infusions, 2 private saunas, boudoir shower suites, and complimentary 20-minute facial treatments from the Clarins spa.

The kids’ room also has video game consoles, among other games. Other amenities include complimentary newspaper racks, free Wi-Fi, and more.

6. Qantas Lounge at LHR (London-Heathrow)

Location: Terminal 3, near gates 1 through 11
Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Qantas Lounge at LHR is truly a special space. Why? Because despite being a business class lounge, it’s an exclusive enclave of luxury, bliss, and privacy.

Upon entering the lounge, you’ll find 2 floors — a downstairs floor with a bar and restaurant and the upstairs floor with the remaining seating areas and amenities.

The lounge is filled with bright, eccentric pieces of furniture including orange tufted couches, velvet armchairs with diamond stitching resembling the inside of a supercar, dining tables and chairs, and numerous other semi-private booth-style seating with tall privacy partitions.

This lounge has a true restaurant with à la carte dining, showcasing favorites like salt and pepper squid and eggs Benedict. On the same floor, there’s a gin bar mixing some of the most creative gin-based cocktails out there.

Upstairs, you’ll find a hot buffet area that has all the classic breakfast goodies, such as sausage, scrambled eggs, and more. There are also a number of other items served during lunch, such as stew, rice, soup, bread, salad, fresh fruit, cakes, and more. But you’ll do well to stick to the downstairs restaurant.

The marble circle bar is the location for yet another cocktail bar, plus it’s where you can get barista-made espresso drinks, as well as soft drinks.

The shower suites resemble what you’d find in a 5-star hotel, complete with a private toilet, floating marble vanities, premium ASPAR products, a walk-in shower with a rain shower head and shower wand, and all the other amenities needed to freshen up.

Other amenities include a kids’ playroom, a separate quiet room with plush armchairs and great runway views, and more.

7. The Pier, Business Class Lounge at HKG (Hong Kong International)

The Pier, Business at Hong Kong International Airport noodle bar open-air kitchen — The noodle bar’s open-air kitchen at The Pier, Business Class Lounge at HKG. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Location: Terminal 1, level 6 near gate 65
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The Pier, Business Class Lounge at HKG is 1 of many airport lounges operated by Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong’s hub airport. This sprawling space is under the main terminal, reachable via an escalator or elevator.

This lounge happens to be the largest airport lounge in HKG and boasts minimalist wooden decor with an abundance of recessed lighting and maximum intimacy.

Split into 2 areas, this lounge has a main area and a wellness area. The main area houses a food hall, a cocktail bar, a noodle bar, a teahouse, shower suites, and a relaxation/quiet room.

The wellness area consists mostly of The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga, a 700-square-foot space with yoga and seated stretching and meditative audio and gazing activities. This area offers instructional posters and videos to help you de-stress and relax. Several yoga mats are laid out in front of the TV for practice. There are 4 pods with noise-canceling headphones and iPad for guided meditation sessions.

Moving deeper into the lounge, you’ll find the luggage storage area and restrooms, as well as the 4 main food areas, of which the Noodle Bar is the flagship. The Noodle Bar has dining booths, tables, and various other seating options. It serves favorites like dan dan noodles, wonton noodles in soup, and popular dim sum favorites like steamed chicken bao.

There’s also a teahouse serving JING tea, classic candies and pastries, as well as self-serve beverages like soda and beer.

The food hall has buffet-style hot food choices from around the world, including dumplings, meatballs, pasta, pizza, pastries, meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, and much more. You’ll also find an espresso cart here, which looks like an old-fashioned rickshaw, where a barista will craft custom espresso drinks for you.

Lastly, the bar is where you can get craft cocktails, other bar-style snacks, soft drinks, juices, bottled water, espresso, and more.

Some of the other amenities here are the 14 shower suites, each stocked with Aēsop amenities, the relaxation room with daybeds, the business center with printers and desktop computers, the luggage storage lockers, the clean restrooms, and much more.

There’s simply no shortage of amenities here!

Hot Tip: Have you ever had a long layover and needed to kill time in the most luxurious way possible? Our writer did just that, visiting 7 lounges at HKG across a 9-hour layover!

8. ANA Business Lounge at HND (Tokyo-Haneda)

Location: Terminal 3, near gate 110
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:00 a.m. until the last departure

The ANA Business Lounge at HND is one of the newest lounges available in Tokyo’s Haneda airport. And while there are 2 ANA international business class lounges, the best one is located near gate 110 (the other business lounge is near gate 114).

To access this lounge, you’ll need to follow the ANA Lounge signs, ascend an escalator to the fourth floor, and turn left for the ANA Lounge (right is for the ANA Suite Lounge). It’s important to note that this lounge was recently expanded with a new seating capacity of 900 travelers, which pretty much squashes any previous qualms with overcrowding!

The ANA Business Lounge at HND is gigantic, elegantly designed, and flanked by a long corridor after the entrance. One of the first things you will see is an open, rectangular room with tables, rows of chairs reminiscent of a diner, as well as a long bar adjacent to the windows and leather armchairs throughout.

The main dining area has a buffet with salad, finger sandwiches, sushi, bread, fruit, pastries, curry, scrambled eggs, dumplings, and a noodle bar. Also, you’ll find a live kitchen and bar area serving lots of fresh dishes.

The noodle bar serves variants of soba, udon, and ramen noodles. The drink selection includes a self-serve espresso machine, 2 Asahi beer dispensers, a soda machine, a brewed coffee machine, self-serve liquor and alcohol, and other soft drinks.

There’s also another buffet nearby with the same food selection but without a noodle bar.

This lounge has shower suites and uses a buzzer system — the water pressure, design, and amenities are excellent. You’ll find a luxurious walk-in shower, a private toilet, a full vanity, complimentary amenities, excellent water pressure, Dyson hairdryers, and more.

This lounge also has a kids’ playroom and smoking room in the rear corner of the lounge.

9. Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX (Los Angeles International)

Location: Tom Bradley International Terminal, sixth floor, near the central atrium
Opening Hours: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

The Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX is one of the best lounges at LAX and definitively one of the best business class lounges in the world. In fact, this lounge is one of the best reasons to head to Los Angeles’s hub airport early.

With over 18,000 square feet of space and a capacity of 400 guests, the Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX offers an expansive area with many zones to relax.

This lounge also boasts some of the best views of Tom Bradley International Terminal, overlooking the entire atrium from the cantilevered mezzanine terrace.

The food and beverage options (including a wine wall) are expansive, but more importantly, delicious. Common food choices include sandwiches, salads, crudités, bread, chips, crackers, chicken curry, rice pilaf, squash soup, beef stew, sundried tomato mac and cheese, fresh juices, fresh fruit, instant noodles, and more.

There’s also a DIY noodle station, plus 2 cocktail bars nearby. If you’re looking for more simple beverages, the main buffet area has self-serve Champagne, fresh juice, espresso machines, tea, soda, and filtered water.

In the back of this lounge, you’ll find 8 individual shower suites stocked with plenty of amenities and Soaptopia products. The showers function via a buzzer system, but if it’s not crowded, you might be able to snag a shower suite immediately.

The crown jewel of this lounge is the open-air patio and terrace with comfortable lounge chairs, gas-lit fireplaces, a self-serve cocktail bar, and incredible views of the runway.

Other amenities include a quiet room, a TV room, and a library room.

10. Oman Air Business Class Lounge at MCT (Muscat International)

Oman Air First & Business Lounge Muscat Buffet Seating — Buffet seating at the Oman Air First & Business Lounge at MCT. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

Location: Terminal 1 (inside security), above the Muscat Duty-Free Shop
Opening Hours: 24/7

Oman Air’s flagship business class lounge was recently renovated, so if you have a longer layover at Muscat International Airport, you should definitely visit.

The entire area houses both the first class and business class lounge, and the first class section is separate from the business class section. Slightly bigger than the first class section, the business class section also has the cocktail bar, where all alcohol is served.

This lounge largely consists of armchair seats, high-top counter-style seats, and dining tables and chairs.

There are 2 dining areas, each of which has a self-serve buffet, an open-air kitchen, and a selection of hot food options. However, the most impressive treat is the mountain of dates on offer. You’ll also find a cheese selection, cold cuts, cookies, pastries, bread, cereal, and more. Unfortunately, à la carte dining is reserved for first class passengers only.

The lounge has 2 types of Nespresso machines, self-serve juice, water, soft drinks, and more.

A couple of the major highlights are the Chedi spa and the shower suites, designed to resemble a 5-star spa hotel instead of an airport lounge.

Also, you’ll find a few chaise lounges, each surrounded by curtains, in the relaxation area. There are also 4 proper nap rooms with fully-flat divans and tables.

Plus, there are 2 private movie rooms with velvet chairs and ottomans facing a wall-mounted television. To keep the children busy, check out the kids’ play area or reserve a private family room.

To round off the amenities, there’s a smoking lounge, prayer rooms, nursing rooms, luggage storage room, and a business center.

Hot Tip: Our detailed review of the Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge in MCT takes a deep-dive into the seating, dining, and relaxation options on offer.

11. The Wing, Business Class Lounge at HKG (Hong Kong International)

The Wing, Business at Hong Kong International Airport noodle bar seating 2 — Noodle bar seating at The Wing, Business Class Lounge at HKG. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Location: Terminal 1, level 6, near gates 1 through 4
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. until the last departure

The Wing, Business Class Lounge is one of the major business class lounges operated by Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong International Airport.

Whereas The Pier, Business is located near gate 65 at one end of the terminal, The Wing, Business is located on the other side, near gates 1 through 4.

And while you might think that The Pier, Business and The Wing, Business are similar, they actually represent totally different vibes and ambiance.

The Pier, Business is designed to be intimate, quiet, and minimalist, while The Wing, Business is open-air and designed to be spacious and showy.

The Wing, Business showcases marble throughout the lounge, and the seating options are eye-catching, ranging from bright brown lounge chairs to quirky seat designs.

There are 4 dining options here:

Noodle Bar
Long Bar
Main Lobby
Coffee Loft

The most-trafficked area here is the Noodle Bar, and it’s easy to see why, thanks to the open-air kitchen whipping up dim sum and fresh bowls of noodles. The Noodle Bar also has lots of buffet-style hot food choices, including fried noodles, spiced chicken, and more.

The Long Bar is a ridiculously long cocktail bar serving various mixed beverages, snacks, pastries, and canapés.

The Main Lobby has self-serve espresso machines, freshly squeezed fruit juice, other soft drinks, salad, fruit, finger sandwiches, Western hot food options like pasta and meatballs, and more.

The Coffee Loft serves finger foods, and importantly, freshly brewed coffee and espresso creations from a barista.

As far as other amenities go, The Wing, Business doesn’t have the famous shower cabanas like The Wing, First Class Lounge does, it does have a whopping 23 private shower suites. Each of these shower suites has a walk-in shower, Jurlique products, a backlit vanity, a private toilet, and other shower amenities!

You’ll also find a huge literature rack with various newspapers and magazines. There’s also an IT Zone along the far side of the lounge with workstations, desktop computers, office chairs, keyboards, mice, and printers.

Hot Tip: If you’d like a lounge with even more luxury offerings, check out the best first-class lounges in the world.

12. United Polaris Lounge at SFO (San Francisco International)

Location: International Terminal G, Near Gate G1, Level 3
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The United Polaris Lounge is arguably the flagship Polaris Lounge out of all the locations. And while the United Polaris class seat is truly special, the United Polaris Lounge puts many first class lounges to shame. That’s how good these lounges are.

In particular, the United Polaris Lounge at SFO measures over 28,000 square feet, taking the title of the largest Polaris Lounge in the world. If you’re flying in business or first class on a long-haul Star Alliance flight, you’ll probably want to stake out a spot here.

The United Polaris Lounge at SFO has 2 floors, with the upper floor being considerably larger than the lower floor.

On the lower floor, you’ll find a single seating area with armchairs, semi-private cubicles, and 8 shower suites. Every shower suite has a private toilet, a walk-in rain shower with fantastic water pressure, Saks Fifth Avenue towels, and Sunday Riley bath amenities. There’s also a marble vanity, a backlit mirror, and a marble bench.

There are also 5 rest areas with chaise lounges, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket, and water bottles.

That rounds out the amenities on the lower floor — the upper floor is where everything else is at. First, you’ll find plane-watching views that’ll make even the pickiest aviation geeks proud.

Then, you’ll see a much larger space with dining chairs, booth seating, dining tables, semi-private cubicles, and more.

But the highlight here is the dining room serving restaurant-quality à la carte items, ranging from appetizers to main courses like burgers, Chinese congee, and chicken katsu, all the way to an enormous cocktail menu. Oh, and there’s a barista that’ll make custom espresso drinks for you.

There’s also a buffet of sushi, salad, fresh fruit, some hot items, and hors d’oeuvres like mahi-mahi.

The Wi-Fi is absolutely blazing fast, and there are power outlets everywhere.

13. HNA Club at PEK (Beijing-Capital International)

Hainan Airlines Business Class Lounge at PEK. Image Credit: Hainan Airlines

Location: Terminal 2, International (inside security), near gate 12
Opening Hours: Daily from first departure to last departure

The brand-new HNA (short for Hainan Airlines) Club, is located in Terminal 2 of Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). This lounge measures nearly 8,000 square feet in size, can hold up to 148 guests, and has a vast range of facilities.

Immediately after checking into the lounge, you can make use of the convenient storage room by putting away your luggage. Then, proceed down the main hall to get to the main section in the lounge.

The first thing you’ll see on the right-hand side after entering the main lounge area is a lounge attendant at the cocktail bar, serving craft cocktails, Champagne, liquor, juice, wine, and other beverages.

Immediately next to this area is the salad bar and snack bar. But where you’ll want to spend most of your stomach space is behind the bar at the sit-down hot food area serving Chinese dishes that’ll make you salivate. These include wok-fried chicken, braised pork ribs, shrimps, stewed duck, all served buffet-style.

In addition, there’s a self-service kiosk where you can order freshly-made options like traditional beef noodle soup, tomato egg noodles, and beef burgers.

Be sure to check out the “Hai” tea area, where you can indulge in a traditional tea ceremony.

Once you’ve gotten a bite to eat, you’ll want to find a comfortable relaxing arrangement, whether it be the wave chairs (similar to chaise lounges) offering tarmac views or one of 3 private day rooms with massage chairs.

Other amenities include a Nespresso and coffee bar, a business center with 3 workstations, desktop computers, and semi-private cubicles, private shower suites with luxury bath products, and video rooms.

14. SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH (Zurich International)

Location: Terminal E, near gate E36, third floor
Opening Hours: Daily from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m.

The SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH is affectionately known as one of the best business class lounges in Europe, thanks to its intimate size, amenities, and more.

Zurich Airport isn’t known to be a bustling space, so having this lounge available can bring a little bit of excitement to your journey. This ~13,000 square foot lounge has a capacity for 200 guests.

The first thing you’ll see upon entry is a huge bookcase filled with stacks of newspapers and magazines. And as you move along, you’ll notice the sleek wooden design elements, the clean, geometric architecture, and the brightness from the natural light brought in by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lounge contains a varied selection of food and beverage in a buffet configuration, ranging from salads, fruits, fresh fruit, and bread. Importantly, there’s also an open-air kitchen paired with a made-to-order menu of pasta, braised meats, and soups.

For drinks, you can either pour some self-serve bottles of top-shelf liquor, sample different bottles of wine, or enjoy the coffee island.

You’ll also find some immaculate shower suites with private toilets, a vanity, various toiletries, and a backlit mirror for your convenience.

This lounge has several relaxation pods with chaise lounges where you can catch a quick nap. The highlight of this lounge is the long outdoor balcony/terrace overlooking the runway. Be sure to ask for a pair of Leica binoculars to aid your plane-spotting!

Other solid amenities include a business center, a work area with cubicles, and convenient access to departure gates.

Hot Tip: If you are flying SWISS first class, Lufthansa first class, or are a HON Circle member, you can access the SWISS Air First Class Lounge, also located at Terminal E at Zurich Airport.

15. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR (London-Heathrow)

Location: Terminal 3, Upper Class Wing
Opening Hours: Daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or last departure

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR is a sleek escape from the chaos of Heathrow Airport. Once you get in, you’ll be greeted by plenty of natural light, high ceilings, and impressive facilities.

First of all, the Upper Class Wing has a dedicated security checkpoint, and after that, you’ll walk through the duty-free shops before actually entering the lounge at “H Pier.”

At the entrance, you’ll find a magazine and newspaper selection, followed by the main lounge area. The cocktail bar is the most impressive element in this lounge, and it’s often staffed with 4 or 5 bartenders at a time.

The seating types are varied and unique, ranging from circular bubble seats to couches and more ordinary high-top chairs at the bar counter.

The dining area is known as The Brasserie and it has a buffet with fresh bread, pastries, cereal, cold cuts, and much more. However, the best part is the à la carte menu serving favorites like a classic English breakfast, eggs benedict, fried squid, baked chicken wings, and so much more. You can also order mixed cocktails here.

The spa offers both complimentary and charged treatments. Complimentary spa treatments include beard trims, 15-minute Express Radiant You facials, ladies fringe trims or creative dry styles, head massages, and more. The spa also houses a hot tub, shower suites with private toilets, great amenities, and a proper backlit mirror and vanity.

This lounge has The Playground, a kids’ playroom, The Cinema, where you have relaxed lounge seats and divans facing a huge TV, The Den, which has a business center, The Sky Lounge, a loft with natural light and seating options, The Garden, an outdoor terrace with seating and tarmac views, and, lastly, a game area with a billiards table and arcade games.

16. Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE (Brisbane International)

Location: Level 3 and 4 (inside security), near gate 80
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

The Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE is the best Qantas business class lounge in Australia. While you might think that Sydney or Melbourne would have a flagship lounge, the lounges there are dated and old compared to the fresh Brisbane lounge.

This lounge, initially built in 2016, was expanded again in 2019 and is now spread out over 3 stories. The attractive Queensland-inspired space is filled with natural light and boasts a buffet, full bar, and beautiful seating options on the first floor. On this floor, baristas are available to curate custom coffee and espresso drinks.

The second floor has the majority of the facilities, with another barista coffee station, a cocktail bar, a full buffet, and shower suites. The shower suites are adorned with luxury ASPAR amenities, a walk-in rain shower, a private toilet, and a full vanity.

But the third floor is absolutely a must-visit, because until 11:00 a.m. daily, you can enjoy freshly-prepared breakfast medleys at the Brisbane Breakfast Hatch, such as an Eggs Benedict or a healthy breakfast bowl.

This lounge is filled with power outlets and USB charging ports, too. Lastly, Wi-Fi is very fast, with an average download and upload speed of around 100 Mbps.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to business class lounges, you have a lot of choices around the world.

So if you’re planning on booking business class travel, why not relish an exceptional lounge experience to go with it?

Most of the world’s best business class lounges are operated by famous brands in commercial aviation, such as Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and ANA.

However, you might be surprised that some airlines like Hainan Airlines and United Airlines also have some of the world’s best business class lounges!

Hopefully, you found this complete guide of the best business class lounges in the world inspiring. Happy traveling!

3 comments

Andrew April 12, 2021
Very good article on Business airport lounges. I might change one or two of my layover/stopover airports just to try out the business lounges as outlined here, very tempting. As they said, sometimes it’s not just the “Destination”, but also “the Journey”.
Thanks
MikeyInOregon February 21, 2023
I enjoy reading your blogs and I often share your sentiments. I hope your list is not in a particular order for I would question your choices. There is one lounge that I know without a doubt that should not be on the list is ANA’s lounge in HND. I have been to this lounge a dozen of times as recent as last December and I have never left with positive feelings. While it is true that the lounge is huge but so is the crowd, it is often by 8am that the lounge almost reaches capacity. This is a Priority Pass lounge, need I say more? I think it’s a travesty that ANA would sell out their flagship lounge, it really cheapens their image and diminishes premium passenger’s ground experience. The buffet area is nothing but a tiny little corner with a big crowd fighting to get in the action. Quality of food and beverage is average at best and there’s no champagne on offer, the noodle bar is the only saving grace. Star Alliance needs to offer alternatives in HND.
Matt March 28, 2023
Was not a fan of the UA Polaris lounge in SFO when I went through last week. An hour + wait for a table in the restaurant and then, when the food came, it wasn’t very special and the staff were shilling for tips. Absolutely dreadful buffet. AA’s Flagship lounges in Miami and Chicago are better in terms of food offerings with good showers and plenty of space and should definitely be on the list; DFW and LAX are OK, too. As far as UA Polaris goes, I thought IAD was much better than SFO.
Also not a huge fan of Zurich. The biz lounge is the lowest of the three lounges in E (biz, Senator, First) and the *A lounge webfinder says it’s still closed.

Earn Points

Use Points

Business Credit Card Reviews

Business Guides

Air Travel Guides

Airline Points

Earn & Use Hotel Points

Hotel Loyalty Program Reviews

The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World [2023]

What Makes a Great Business Class Airport Lounge?

The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World

1. Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at DOH (Hamad International)

2. Emirates Business Class Lounge at DXB (Dubai International)

3. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST (Istanbul)

4. Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ (Toronto Pearson)

5. Air France Business Lounge at CDG (Charles de Gaulle)

6. Qantas Lounge at LHR (London-Heathrow)

7. The Pier, Business Class Lounge at HKG (Hong Kong International)

8. ANA Business Lounge at HND (Tokyo-Haneda)

9. Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX (Los Angeles International)

10. Oman Air Business Class Lounge at MCT (Muscat International)

11. The Wing, Business Class Lounge at HKG (Hong Kong International)

12. United Polaris Lounge at SFO (San Francisco International)

13. HNA Club at PEK (Beijing-Capital International)

14. SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH (Zurich International)

15. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR (London-Heathrow)

16. Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE (Brisbane International)

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Does business class get lounge access?

Which credit card has the best airport lounge access?

How do I get into the business class lounge?

What lounges are available for Star Alliance business class flyers?

How can I get into business class lounges for free?

About Stephen Au

3 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

Advertiser Disclosure

What Makes a Great Business Class Airport Lounge?

The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World

1. Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at DOH (Hamad International)

2. Emirates Business Class Lounge at DXB (Dubai International)

3. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at IST (Istanbul)

4. Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ (Toronto Pearson)

5. Air France Business Lounge at CDG (Charles de Gaulle)

6. Qantas Lounge at LHR (London-Heathrow)

7. The Pier, Business Class Lounge at HKG (Hong Kong International)

8. ANA Business Lounge at HND (Tokyo-Haneda)

9. Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX (Los Angeles International)

10. Oman Air Business Class Lounge at MCT (Muscat International)

11. The Wing, Business Class Lounge at HKG (Hong Kong International)

12. United Polaris Lounge at SFO (San Francisco International)

13. HNA Club at PEK (Beijing-Capital International)

14. SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH (Zurich International)

15. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR (London-Heathrow)

16. Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE (Brisbane International)

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Does business class get lounge access?

Which credit card has the best airport lounge access?

How do I get into the business class lounge?

What lounges are available for Star Alliance business class flyers?

How can I get into business class lounges for free?

About Stephen Au

3 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

Related Posts

Advertiser Disclosure