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The 16 Best Business Class Lounges in the World [2024]

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Lavish airport lounges are a quintessential part of the business class experience. If you have the privilege of flying in business class, you may also be able to enjoy a business class lounge experience.

And with airlines continuing to invest 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 considered 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 business class lounges at outstations far from HQ.

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

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 where passengers can 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:

  • Ample, uncrowded space
  • Excellent amenities like shower suites, nap areas, and comfortable seats
  • Thoughtful food and beverage selections, including à la carte dining
  • Notable facilities like a spa, game room, or cocktail bar
  • Intimate ambience

If you can find a business class lounge that checks all of these boxes, you’re 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!

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

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

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

The lounge has plenty of seating, including lounge chairs, private pods, dining tables and chairs, booth seating, and private alcoves with sofas and recliners, and it can accommodate hundreds of travelers.

There are 2 areas 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. The main buffet area includes sushi (except at breakfast), Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine, Western foods like pasta, artisanal desserts, and fantastic refreshments, including Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne!

The lounge has shower suites and quiet rooms suitable for quick naps. Also, Al Mourjan Lounge has a fantastic set of facilities for families, including family rooms with games like foosball and video game consoles, as well as nursing and changing rooms.

There are plenty of power outlets, lighting schemes, magazine racks, a complete 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, which 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 Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Emirates business class lounge
Enjoy a great meal at the Emirates Business Class Lounge! Image Credit: Emirates

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

Emirates is world-famous for its lavish first and business class seats; similarly, its lounges worldwide are exceptional. They’re even more luxurious at its hub airport in Dubai.

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, dining chairs, tables, and chaise longues to relax in.

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

The massive buffet has a wide variety of hot foods, including an Asian section, a Mediterranean area, a dessert bar, a Moët & Chandon Champagne lounge with small bites like pomegranate macarons, 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 that there are 2 cigar bars.

Of course, there are shower suites, lots of restrooms, a spa (not free), literature aisles, televisions, fast and free Wi-Fi, and an abundance of power outlets.

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. There are also more leather armchairs with ottomans and blankets.

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

3. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at Istanbul Airport (IST)

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 the former Atatürk airport, 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 find is a beautiful grand piano, an open stage space with a giant projector screen, and lots of comfortable seating.

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 an area with 12 televisions and more lounge chairs.

Other spaces 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. This lounge has 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.

A highlight 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 by 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 Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ
Air Canada Signature Suite at YYZ. Image Credit: Air Canada

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

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

If you’re connecting from a domestic Canadian flight, you’re 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, starting off with having 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 rarely see it at more than half capacity because of the strict access rules.

There’s a small buffet, but you’ll want to save your stomach for the à la carte service, which offers favorites like beef tenderloin with matchstick potatoes, harissa-marinated lingcod, Moroccan braised lamb shank, and vegetarian dishes.

The Signature Suite’s cocktail bar is equally impressive. It stocks top-shelf drinks like Moët & Chandon rosé, brut Champagnes, and artisanal mixed drinks. Nonalcoholic drinks include freshly crafted Lavazza espresso drinks and tea by Sloan.

Elsewhere in the lounge are a VIP private room and 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 many amenities.

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

The only complaint with this lounge is that there aren’t any plane-spotting views or showers (you have to visit the nearby Maple Leaf Lounge for 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 Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Air France Lounge CDG 2E
Air France lounge at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Image Credit: Nick Ellis

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 impressive, with phenomenal amenities spanning over 34,000 square feet. However, this lounge is only available to those flying outside the Schengen area.

The main relaxation space, by a French interior designer, 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, where the head bartender of the Hotel Lancaster in Paris serves cocktails from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The highlight of the food and beverage area is the Gourmet Table, where a chef prepares the day’s dishes fresh. It’s not a full à la carte menu, 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 longues, minisuites with chaise longues set apart from the rest of the lounge with curtains, a detox bar serving Palais des Thés 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 London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Qantas Lounge at LHR
Qantas Lounge at LHR. Image Credit: Qantas

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

The Qantas Lounge at LHR is truly a special space. Why? 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 an 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 seating with tall privacy partitions.

This lounge has a proper 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 cocktails out there.

Upstairs is the hot buffet area with all the classic breakfast goodies, such as sausage, scrambled eggs, and more. There might be dishes such as stew, rice, soup, bread, salad, fresh fruit, cakes, and more during lunch. But you’d do well to stick to the downstairs restaurant.

The circular marble bar is yet another cocktail bar, plus it’s where you can get barista-made espresso and soft drinks.

The shower suites resemble those in a 5-star hotel, complete with a private toilet, floating marble vanities, ASPAR products, a walk-in shower with a rainfall 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, great runway views, and more.

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

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, sixth level, near gate 65
Opening Hours: Daily from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The Pier Business Class Lounge is among the many airport lounges Cathay Pacific operates within its Hong Kong hub. This sprawling space is under the main terminal and accessible 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 quiet room.

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

Moving deeper into the lounge are the luggage storage 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. 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 an international buffet with dishes including dumplings, meatballs, pasta, pizza, pastries, meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, and more. There’s a barista-managed espresso cart here that looks like an old-fashioned rickshaw.

Lastly, the bar is where you can get craft cocktails, bar 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, a relaxation room with daybeds, the business center with printers and desktop computers, luggage storage lockers, and clean restrooms.

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 Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND)

ANA Business Lounge at HND
ANA Business Lounge at HND. Image Credit: ANA

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

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

To access this lounge, 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 has been expanded with a new seating capacity of 900 travelers, which quashes any previous concerns about overcrowding!

The ANA Business Lounge at HND is gigantic, elegantly designed, and flanked by a long corridor after the entrance. You’re welcomed by an open, rectangular room with tables, rows of chairs reminiscent of a diner, and a long bar adjacent to the windows with leather armchairs throughout.

The main dining area has a buffet with salad, finger sandwiches, sushi, bread, fruit, pastries, curries, scrambled eggs, dumplings, and a noodle bar. A kitchen and bar serve 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 another buffet nearby with the same food selection but without a noodle bar.

This lounge has shower suites, and 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 hair dryers, and more. The showers are apparently quite in demand, though, and when you ask to reserve a shower slot, you’ll be handed a buzzer to let you know when it’s your time.

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

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

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX
Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX. Image Credit: Star Alliance

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

The Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at LAX is one of the best lounges at LAX and definitively among the best business class lounges in the world. In fact, this lounge is an excellent reason to head to LAX early.

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

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

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

In the back of this lounge are 8 shower suites stocked with plenty of amenities and Soaptopia products. The staff will give you a buzzer to let you know when a shower’s free, but you might be able to snag a shower suite immediately if it’s not crowded.

The crown jewel of this lounge is the open-air patio and terrace, with comfortable lounge chairs, gaslit 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 Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Oman

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 Muscat Duty Free
Opening Hours: 24/7

Oman Air’s flagship business class lounge houses both the first class and business class lounge, but the first class section is separate from the business class section. Slightly bigger than the first class section, the business class section also has a cocktail bar, where all alcohol is served.

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

There are 2 dining areas, each with a self-serve buffet, an open-air kitchen, and a selection of hot foods. However, the most impressive treat is the mountain of dates. You’ll also find a cheese selection, cold cuts, cookies, pastries, bread, cereal, and more.

Sorry, business class passengers, à la carte dining is 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 something inside a 5-star spa hotel instead of an airport lounge.

There are a few chaise longues in the relaxation area, each surrounded by curtains. 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 out the amenities, there’s a smoking lounge, prayer rooms, nursing rooms, luggage storage rooms, and a business center.

Hot Tip: Our detailed review of the Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge in MCT examines the seating, dining, and relaxation options.

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

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, sixth level, 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 is near gate 65 at one end of the terminal, The Wing is on the other side, near gates 1 through 4.

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

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

The Wing 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 multiple hot buffet dishes, including fried noodles and spiced chicken.

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 foods like pasta and meatballs, and more.

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

As far as other amenities go, though The Wing doesn’t have shower cabanas like The Wing, First Class Lounge does, it does have a whopping 23 private shower suites. Each shower suite 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 a tech zone along the far side of the lounge featuring complete workstations with 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 San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

United Polaris Lounge at SFO
United Polaris Lounge at SFO. Image Credit: United Airlines

Location: International Terminal G, third level, near gate G1
Opening Hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The United Polaris Lounge at SFO is arguably the best Polaris Lounge of all the locations. And while the United Polaris seat is exceptional, 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 considerably larger than the lower floor.

On the lower floor is a single seating area with armchairs, semi-private cubicles, and 8 shower suites. Every shower suite has a private toilet, a walk-in rainfall 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 longues, 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. First, the planespotting would 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. And there’s an enormous cocktail menu. Oh, and a barista will 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 blazingly fast, and there are power outlets everywhere.

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

Hainan Airlines Business Class Lounge at PEK
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 measures nearly 8,000 square feet, can hold up to 148 guests, and has a vast range of facilities.

Immediately after checking into the lounge, you can use the convenient storage room. Then, proceed down the main hall to get to the main section of the lounge.

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

Immediately next to this area are the salad bar and snack bar. But the place your stomach will be most excited about is behind the bar at the sit-down hot food area, which serves Chinese dishes that’ll make you salivate. These include wok-fried chicken, braised pork ribs, shrimp, and stewed duck, all served buffet-style.

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

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

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

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

14. SWISS Business Lounge at Zurich International Airport (ZRH)

SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH
SWISS Business Lounge at ZRH. Image Credit: SWISS

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

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

Zurich Airport isn’t a bustling space, so having this lounge available can add a little excitement to your journey. This approximately 13,000-square-foot lounge has a capacity for 200 guests.

Upon entry, the first thing you see is a huge bookcase filled with stacks of newspapers and magazines. As you move along, you’ll notice the sleek, wooden design elements, the clean, geometric architecture, and the natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lounge contains a varied selection of food and beverages at a buffet, including salads, fruits, fresh fruit, and bread. There’s also an open-air kitchen paired with a made-to-order menu of pasta, braised meats, and soups. For drinks, you can help yourself to bottles of top-shelf liquor, sample different bottles of wine, or use the coffee island.

There are immaculate shower suites with private toilets, a vanity, various toiletries, and a backlit mirror.

This lounge has several relaxation pods with chaise lounges where you can catch a quick nap. The highlight 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 in Terminal E at Zurich Airport.

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

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LHR. Image Credit: Virgin Atlantic

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’re greeted by plenty of natural light, high ceilings, and impressive facilities.

First, the Upper Class Wing has a dedicated security checkpoint. After that, you walk through the duty-free shops before entering the H Pier lounge.

A magazine and newspaper selection are at the entrance, followed by the main lounge. 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 high-top chairs at the bar counter.

The Brasserie has a buffet with fresh bread, pastries, cereal, cold cuts, and more. However, the best part is the à la carte menu, which serves classic English breakfasts, eggs Benedict, fried squid, baked chicken wings, and so on. You can also order mixed cocktails here.

The spa offers both complimentary and paid 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 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 a game area with a billiards table and arcade games.

16. Qantas International Business Lounge at Brisbane International Airport (BNE) in Australia

Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE
Qantas International Business Lounge at BNE. Image Credit: Qantas

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

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

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

The second floor has most 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 rainfall shower, a private toilet, and a full vanity.

But the third floor is absolutely a must because, until 11 a.m. daily, you can enjoy freshly prepared breakfast medleys at the Brisbane Breakfast Hatch, including eggs Benedict or a healthy breakfast bowl.

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

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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 enjoy 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 to learn that airlines like Hainan Airlines and United Airlines also have some of the world’s best business class lounges!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does business class get lounge access?

In most cases, yes. If you’re flying internationally in long-haul business class, you’re almost guaranteed access to a business class lounge.

Which credit card has the best airport lounge access?
How do I get into the business class lounge?

You can get into a business class lounge by 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 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 holding a certain credit card, having top airline elite status, or booking a premium cabin award ticket.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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