Many travellers are conversant in airport departure lounges, and revel in entry to them by bank cards, enterprise class or First Class tickets, or elite standing.
What many travellers might not know is that there are additionally airport lounges which are designated particularly for use after your flight, once you arrive at your vacation spot.
On this information, we’ll discover all the pieces there may be to find out about arrivals lounges, together with what they’re, the place you’ll find them, learn how to entry them, and why you would possibly need to make the most of these areas after a flight in your subsequent journey.
What Are Arrivals Lounges?
Because the identify suggests, arrivals lounges are meant as a spot of respite after your flight arrives at your vacation spot airport.
The lounges usually provide showers, an area to get refreshed after a protracted journey, a spot to work or make a telephone name, free Wi-Fi, and a number of meals and drinks.
Usually talking, arrivals lounges are a lot smaller than departure lounges, they usually usually have stricter entry necessities, with entrance typically reserved solely for enterprise class and First Class passengers.
Arrivals lounges may be significantly helpful in numerous conditions, similar to getting refreshed after a protracted flight and earlier than a giant assembly, or in case your lodge check-in time is hours away, and also you want a quiet place to work or calm down.
Moreover, some lounges additionally present distinctive and useful providers (e.g., ironing your garments), which we’ll spotlight intimately beneath.
Accessing Arrivals Lounges
Arrivals lounges are hosted by particular person airways, in addition to by hospitality teams like Plaza Premium.
Their hours of operation differ relying on the airport and its flight schedule, because the lounges are usually open to service passengers coming in on long-haul flights.
Entry varies for every particular person lounge, and we’ll discover this additional within the part beneath.
Usually talking, arrivals lounges hosted by airways are made out there for enterprise class and First Class passengers of the related airline and for passengers with associated elite standing (e.g., airline elite standing, Star Alliance elite standing).
For passengers travelling in economic system class with out elite standing, some lounges are accessible by lounge go memberships, similar to Precedence Cross and DragonPass, whereas others provide day-rates that may be reserved forward of time or bought on the entrance.
Which Airports Have Arrivals Lounges?
On this part, we offer particulars about numerous arrivals lounges from around the globe to present you an thought about what you would possibly count on in your go to.
Though the checklist will not be exhaustive, it does showcase how arrivals lounges can vary from extremely luxurious to very primary, and all the pieces in between.
London Heathrow (LHR)
Heathrow Airport is the UK’s largest airport, and one of many busiest airports on this planet. As of early 2024, the airport is dwelling to 4 arrivals lounges unfold throughout three of its 4 passenger terminals.
Terminal 2
The Arrivals Lounge is utilized by each United Airways and Air Canada, and the lounge is positioned in Terminal 2.
The lounge is accessible to United Polaris enterprise class passengers and Air Canada enterprise class passengers arriving on a world flight, plus Aeroplan Tremendous Elite 100k members (who may additionally deliver one visitor).
Guests to the lounge can get pleasure from showers (17 suites in complete), primary private facilities to assist get refreshed after a protracted flight, free Wi-Fi, buffet and à-la-carte food and drinks choices, and some completely different seating choices.
Terminal 3
The American Airways Arrivals Lounge is utilized by each American Airways and British Airways. The lounge is positioned in Terminal 3.
Entry to the lounge is granted to those that flew on a same-day American Airways flight, and who’re, or who possess, the next:
- Flying in Flagship First, Flagship Enterprise Plus, or Flagship Enterprise
- AAdvantage Govt Platinum or AAdvantage Platinum Professional standing
- ConciergeKey standing
- Oneworld Emerald standing
- British Airways Premier standing
You may additionally entry the lounge if you happen to flew on British Airways on a same-day, long-haul worldwide flight that arrived in Terminal 3, and you’re or have the next:
The Arrivals Lounge gives bathe suites (30 in complete) stocked with towels and facilities, and the distinctive function of valet ironing.
Every bathe suite has a two-way closet the place you’ll be able to cling your garments. You then ring a bell to tell the employees, and they’re going to press your outfit whilst you clean up.
The lounge additionally gives guests with each buffet and à-la-carte food and drinks choices, a espresso and champagne bar, a enterprise centre, free Wi-Fi-, and a number of magazines so that you can get pleasure from.
The Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge can be positioned in Terminal 3 and gives entry to passengers flying Virgin Atlantic and Delta.
The lounge is open every day and may be accessed by the next passengers arriving at London Heathrow:
- Passengers travelling in Virgin Atlantic Higher Class
- Flying Membership Gold members travelling with Virgin Atlantic or Delta
- Passengers travelling in Delta One
- Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion cardholders (travelling from the US on both Virgin Atlantic or Delta)
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion cardholders (travelling from the US on both Virgin Atlantic or Delta)
- Virgin Australia Velocity Membership Platinum cardholders (travelling on Virgin Atlantic)
- Virgin Australia Velocity The Membership cardholders (travelling on Virgin Atlantic)
The Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge gives bathe suites, luxurious facilities, free Wi-Fi-, each buffet and à-la-carte food and drinks choices, a variety of seating choices, and, just like the American Airways lounge, you may as well have your outfit ironed earlier than you head out to proceed your day.
Terminal 5
The British Airways Galleries Arrivals Lounge is positioned in Terminal 5.
The lounge is obtainable for the next company:
- British Airways prospects arriving in First Class or enterprise class (Membership World) cabins
- British Airways Govt Membership Gold cardholders arriving on a long-haul British Airways flight
- American Airways prospects arriving in First or enterprise Class cabins
- American Airways ConciergeKey cardholders arriving on a long-haul American Airways flight
The British Airways Galleries lounge gives showers (94 of them!), an à-la-carte food and drinks menu (with a full English breakfast out there till 12pm), just a few small buffet objects (principally pastries and fruit), quite a lot of seating choices, free Wi-Fi, and a small enterprise centre.
Frankfurt Worldwide Airport (FRA)
The Frankfurt Worldwide Airport is dwelling to 2 arrivals lounges, the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge and the LuxxLounge, each positioned in Terminal 1.
Lufthansa’s Welcome Lounge is positioned on the arrival degree, instantly behind baggage declare space B, and is open from 5:15am to 12:30pm.
Entry is granted to the next passengers:
- First Class and enterprise class passengers, in addition to Lufthansa standing passengers arriving on intercontinental Lufthansa or Uncover Airways flights
- HON Circle members arriving on a flight operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, or Uncover Airways
- United Airways International Companies Card members arriving on a United flight
- First Class passengers arriving on an Air China flight
The Lufthansa Welcome Lounge spans two flooring and has lockers to retailer your baggage instantly upon entry. The lounge gives ample seating choices, a enterprise centre, free Wi-Fi-, a buffet with a considerable number of cold and hot meals and drinks, and 28 bathe suites, which give towels and facilities.
The LuxxLounge is the primary arrivals lounge that we’re that’s open to most of the people, permitting these with and with out premium boarding passes or elite standing to benefit from the area for a payment of €35 for 3 hours.
The lounge may be discovered between Concourses B and C on the gallery degree of Terminal 1, and is open from 6:30am to 9:30pm.
The area gives a variety of seating choices, some snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and bathe services.
As a singular function, the LuxxLounge additionally gives a six-person convention room which you can guide for an extra payment.
Zurich Worldwide Airport (ZRH)
Zurich Worldwide Airport, the biggest airport in Switzerland, has one arrivals lounge positioned in Terminal 2.
The Swiss Arrivals Lounge is the open from 6am to 1pm and may be discovered after customs close to Arrivals 2.
The lounge is accessible to First Class and enterprise class passengers flying with Swiss and Lufthansa, in addition to Miles & Extra HON Circle, Senator, and Frequent Travellers members.
Passengers who don’t qualify for entry primarily based on the above checklist are welcome to buy entry by the Swiss web site for 69 Swiss Francs ($110 CAD, $80 USD).
Equally to the opposite lounges, the Swiss Arrivals Lounge gives a breakfast buffet with a variety of cold and hot food and drinks choices, bathe suites with facilities, free Wi-Fi, enterprise rooms, and quite a lot of seating choices, together with “quiet” rooms with reclining chairs.
Notably, the lounge additionally gives guests with the chance to order an precise bed room to get pleasure from a non-public nap after a protracted flight. Unsurprisingly, these rooms are fairly fashionable, so if you happen to’re hoping to partake, you’ll need to word your curiosity with the employees as quickly as you arrive on the lounge.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Worldwide Airport (CDG)
Charles de Gaulle Worldwide Airport in Paris is dwelling to 2 arrivals lounges, each positioned in Terminal 1.
The Qatar Airways Premium Lounge grants entry to First Class and enterprise class passengers arriving on both a Qatar Airways flight or any Oneworld airline, in addition to to Privilege Membership members with Gold elite standing or larger.
The lounge is open from 5am to 10pm every day and may be discovered on the eleventh flooring of Terminal 1, providing views all the best way to the Eiffel Tower.
The Qatar Airways Premium Lounge gives an expensive lounge expertise with stunning seating areas for leisure, socializing, and dealing, and it gives a wide selection of high-end eating choices.
The area can be fairly distinctive in that it has a fountain, two out of doors terraces, unimaginable views, female and male prayer rooms, bathe suites, and extra.
Alternatively, the Star Alliance Lounge is open to Star Alliance members with Gold standing or larger, in addition to to passengers with eligible lounge memberships and premium bank cards, making it significantly extra accessible.
Moreover, if you happen to don’t have any free passes out there by your lounge membership program, you should buy a day-pass for $35 (USD).
The Star Alliance Lounge gives three buffets with rotating food and drinks choices, showers, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of seating choices.
Notably, the lounge additionally has an open-air terrace, which doubles as a delegated smoking space. It’s value noting that there are two Star Alliance Lounges in Paris; nonetheless, the newly opened Star Alliance Lounge is positioned airside, whereas this lounge is positioned previous to safety.
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim Worldwide Airport (GIG)
The Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 2 is a part of Plaza Premium’s community of lounges, so entry is obtainable to anybody with an eligible bank card, members with out there passes, and people who want to buy a single-entry go.
The payment for single use is $35 (USD) per particular person, and the lounge is open 24/7, making it very handy no matter once you land.
Lounge guests can get pleasure from a variety of food and drinks choices, a number of seating choices, free Wi-Fi, showers and facilities, and extra.
The area additionally has leisure suites that may be pre-booked (for an extra payment) if you happen to’d prefer to seize a nap, plus a VIP room and a gathering room in your comfort.
Sydney Kingsford Smith Worldwide Airport (SYD)
Passengers arriving in Sydney are prime candidates for an arrivals lounge, provided that this airport serves many long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights.
Terminal 1 is dwelling to a Plaza Premium Lounge for arriving passengers, which may be accessed through an eligible premium bank card that provides Plaza Premium visits, or by paying the single-entry payment of round $40 (CAD) for an as much as five-hour keep.
This massive lounge gives quite a lot of food and drinks choices, free Wi-Fi, and a great deal of seating.
For an extra payment, you may as well make use of their bathe services, non-public leisure suites, VIP room, and assembly room.
Johannesburg OR Tambo Worldwide Airport (JNB)
At OR Tambo Worldwide Airport in Johannesburg, there’s the South African Airways Arrivals Lounge, positioned in Terminal A.
Entry to this lounge is open to the next passengers:
- Voyager Lifetime Platinum, Platinum, and Platinum Elect members (plus one visitor) when arriving on South African Airways
- Enterprise class passengers and Voyager Gold and Gold Elect members when arriving on South African Airways (no visitor privileges)
- Discovery Financial institution Purple cardholders and Investec Enigma cardholders, no matter airline flown (no visitor privileges)
The lounge gives its company quite a lot of food and drinks choices, areas to relaxation or to work, bathe suites, garments urgent providers, an enclosed smoking space, and free Wi-Fi.
Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB)
On the Dubai Worldwide Airport, there are two arrivals lounges in Terminal 3.
The Their Patio Lounge by Plaza Premium Group gives complimentary entry to company holding an eligible bank card or lounge membership, and to those that buy a single-entry go, which prices round $50 (CAD) for a two-hour keep.
Notably, the Their Patio Lounge is definitely designed as a co-working area reasonably than a standard arrivals lounge, so it doesn’t have lots of the ordinary lounge choices.
There aren’t any bathe suites, and there may be solely the smallest vary of snacks and drinks. Nevertheless, the area does present assembly rooms, a convention room, a co-working area, printing and photocopying, and a concierge service.
Uniquely, the lounge providers additionally embody a consultancy centre to assist with enterprise set-up, visa sponsorship, residency inquiries, and extra.
The opposite arrivals lounge on the Dubai Worldwide Airport is the Jumeirah Airport Lounge, which is a high-end lounge reserved solely for passengers who’ve requested an airport switch to considered one of Jumeirah’s resorts or resorts.
On condition that this area is run by a luxurious lodge chain, it’s not stunning that it’s a shocking area and features extra like a non-public spa than an airport lounge, providing meals, drink, showers, and a variety of bespoke concierge providers to make your journey expertise seamless.
Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH)
House to Qatar Airways, Hamad Worldwide Airport in Doha has two lounges for arriving passengers, one which is pretty unique, and the opposite which is significantly extra accessible.
The Qatar Airways First and Enterprise Class Arrivals Lounge is, because the identify suggests, solely for Qatar Airways enterprise class and First Class passengers.
The arrivals lounge is an extension of the devoted premium immigration facility that exists to streamline the method for First Class and enterprise class passengers.
The arrivals lounge is properly appointed with many seating areas, a enterprise centre, free Wi-Fi, bathe suites, a buffet number of meals and drinks, and a small à-la-carte menu.
One other lounge choice on the Hamad Worldwide Airport is the Al Maha Arrival Lounge, which is open 24 hours a day.
Lounge entry is complimentary for Platinum and Gold Privilege Membership members and can be made out there to passengers with eligible lounge memberships (although this entry could also be restricted throughout peak instances).
Entry can be out there for the day-rate payment of 230 QAR ($85 CAD, $65 USD) for adults and 115 QAR ($42 CAD, $31 USD) for youngsters.
In the event you’ve obtained an abundance of Avios factors, you might select to pay the doorway payment utilizing your factors by reserving the providers on-line.
The Al Maha Arrival Lounge is sort of massive and gives all the usual lounge facilities, together with cold and hot meals and drinks, first-come-first-served bathe suites, free Wi-Fi, baggage lockers, a great deal of seating choices, and a enterprise centre.
Extra distinctive options of the lounge embody household rooms, quiet rooms with reclined chairs fitted to naps, and a smoking room.
Tokyo Narita Worldwide Airport (NRT)
Narita Worldwide Airport in Tokyo has 4 arrivals lounges on provide, two in Terminal 1 and two in Terminal 2.
The ANA Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 1 is open from 2pm to five:55pm (or till the departure of the ultimate ANA-operated home flight). These odd hours are as a result of the lounge can be a departure lounge for home flights, so the area is shared with outgoing passengers as properly.
Entry to the lounge is reserved for passengers travelling on long-haul ANA flights in enterprise class and First Class, in addition to ANA elite members holding Diamond, Platinum, or Tremendous Flyers Membership standing, and people with an ANA Million Miler Program’s lounge entry card.
Moreover, every passenger might deliver one visitor to the lounge, aside from passengers travelling in enterprise class.
The ANA Arrivals Lounge is sort of massive, with ample seating, and it gives bathe suites, enterprise services, free Wi-Fi, and a small providing of snacks and drinks.
Narita Airport additionally has two IASS Govt Lounge places, one in Terminal 1 and the opposite in Terminal 2.
The lounges present free Wi-Fi, a quieter place to seat, and complimentary drinks (although alcohol is proscribed to a single drink).
It’s noteworthy that neither lounge has showers, although as mentioned beneath, there’s a separate bathe space in Terminal 1.
Entry to each IASS Govt Lounges is obtainable to these with eligible bank cards or membership to lounge go packages, and the one notable distinction between the 2 places is that the Terminal 2 lounge has seating for over 130 individuals, whereas the lounge in Terminal 1 can solely match round 80 individuals.
In the event you’re hoping to have a bathe once you land at Narita Airport, Terminal 1 is dwelling to the Narita Airport Showers, which gives any passenger the chance to get refreshed after a protracted flight for a payment of ¥1,050 ($10 CAD, $7 USD).
A remaining choice in Terminal 2 is the Rassurants Traveler’s Lounge, which, equally to the IASS Govt Lounges doesn’t provide meals or showers and prices a payment of round ¥1,000 ($10 CAD, $7 USD).
Given the dearth of facilities, the area is generally out there to supply a quiet space to relaxation or work earlier than venturing on to the following a part of your journey, and we’re undecided that we’d actually name it an “arrivals lounge.”
Tokyo Worldwide Airport – Haneda (HND)
Tokyo Haneda Worldwide Airport (HND), the town’s second main airport, at present has one arrivals lounge.
The Energy Lounge Central is operated by Haneda Airport itself, and is positioned in Terminal 1.
The lounge gives some mild meals choices in addition to showers for an extra cost. You should purchase entry to this lounge at ¥1,080 ($10, $7 USD) per particular person.
In Terminal 3, the airport additionally operates designated bathe rooms for all passengers to get pleasure from. The TIAT Bathe Rooms may be accessed for ¥1,030 ($10 CAD, $7 USD).
Moreover, up to now, ANA has had an arrivals lounge in Terminal 2, however sadly it’s quickly closed. The lounge is at present scheduled to re-open in 2025.
Indira Gandhi Worldwide Airport (DEL)
India’s predominant airport, the Indira Gandhi Worldwide Airport in Delhi has one arrivals lounge in Terminal 3.
The Encalm Lounge is open 24 hours a day, and entry is obtainable to passengers with lounge memberships and eligible bank cards.
The lounge is pretty easy, with free Wi-Fi, some seating, and a small number of food and drinks choices. Notably, the lounge doesn’t have bathe suites, so it’s principally designed to be a quieter place to calm down or work earlier than you permit the airport.
Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Worldwide Airport (BOM)
In Mumbai, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Worldwide Airport, the Aviserv Lounge in Terminal 2 is obtainable to welcome company who’re in transit. Whereas it’s not solely an arrivals lounge, this area gives related facilities.
Entry to the lounge may be loved by passengers with a Precedence Cross and DragonPass membership, and it can be bought, with the costs ranging primarily based on which facilities you’d like to make use of.
Costs vary from round $15 (CAD) only for lounge entry, a meal, and Wi-Fi, to round $115 (CAD) for eight hours of entry, together with a sleeping pod, bathe, meal, and Wi-Fi.
The lounge additionally gives à-la-carte pricing for the sleeping pods, showers, and garments steaming.
Conclusion
Arrivals lounges present travellers with a spot to unwind, get refreshed, and do a bit of labor after a protracted flight.
Most of the lounges provide refreshments, which vary from very modest choices to high-end eating experiences, and most lounges present bathe suites to assist revitalize you earlier than the following a part of your journey.
The following time you journey, take into account trying in as to if your vacation spot airport has an arrivals lounge, as it may be an effective way to decompress after your flight.
