2023 in Review: My Top 10 Airport Lounges

I flew to and from 39 airports in 2023 across 12 countries. Between The Platinum Card® from American Express, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Priority Pass, United Club℠, flying in premium cabins, and various elite statuses, there were few lounges that were not available to me during my travels. Some are rather meh and others begin to blend together, but there were some noteworthy exceptions this year.

Here are my ten favorite airport lounges of 2023:

10. Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (YYZ – Terminal 1, Level 4, Node F)

This Maple Leaf Lounge is used for transborder crossings into the United States. It’s extremely crowded and in need of a renovation, but it offered a decent selection of food and drinks and a good place to wait for our flight. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)  has a US Pre-Clearance facility, this means that you clear immigration prior to landing in the US and exit your flight like any other domestic one. We were through immigration quickly thanks to Global Entry and had plenty of time to spend in the lounge. The lounge was spacious (even though it was crowded during our visit). It’s a good place to kill time before going into the US. (Full review here.)

Address: 6301 Silver Dart Dr, Mississauga, ON L4W 1S9, Canada

9. The Lounge by Luxair (LUX)

The Lounge by Luxair is the only lounge in Luxembourg Airport (LUX). It provides speedy Wi-Fi and a decent breakfast spread as well as plenty of space to spread out and work or relax before a flight. We enjoyed our short visit and found the service and space to be pleasant while waiting for our flight. (Full review here).

Address: 2632 Niederanven, Luxembourg

8. British Airways Galleries Club Lounge (LHR – Terminal 3, Zone F)

The British Airways Galleries Club Lounge was a nice reprieve and it had some delicious Indian and British food on offer for lunch. I was quite pleased with the visit. It offered delicious Indian food and plenty of amenities. I don’t fly British Airways often, but this lounge makes me want to fly the carrier more. (Full review here).

Address: Heathrow Airport, Longford, Hounslow TW6 2GA, United Kingdom

7. Delta Sky Club® (LAX – Terminal 3 Sky Way)

The Sky Club® at LAX in the Sky Way is a huge space at over 30,000 square feet and offers lots of amenities including expansive buffets, a full bar, restrooms, shower suites, free Wi-Fi, and a Sky Deck like the one at JFK. I decided to have some dinner and then grabbed a shower before my flight to Boston. While I visited many Sky Clubs® this year, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) location is one of my favorites for its space, amenities, and overall feel. (Full review here.)

Address: Terminal 3 Sky Way

6. Air France Lounge (CDG – Terminal 2E, Hall L)

The Air France Lounge (CDG – Terminal 2E, Hall L) is my favorite in Paris. It is an excellent place to pass some time before a flight. There is a good buffet, Wi-Fi, restrooms, showers, a spa (including a sauna), a kids area, a room for mothers, a rest/quiet are, and plenty of space to relax or work. The design is nice and modern with plenty of seating. (Full review here.)

Address: 77990 Le Mesnil-Amelot, France

5. United Polaris® Lounge (EWR)

When flying United internationally, make sure that you leave some time to visit the gorgeous Polaris® Lounge. The sit-down restaurant offers a small, but solid menu so that you can dine before you fly (you’ll want to do this as the food onboard is improving but mediocre at best). I find the lounge a great place to relax, get some work done, and get ready for the journey ahead. Try the burger from the restaurant and if you have a long wait, snag one of the nap rooms. (Full review here.)

Address: Terminal C (past security and next to Starbucks)

4. Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club (BOS)

The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club is nicely decorated, offers showers, has plenty of seating, but is hit or miss on the quality and quantity of food offered. The decor is warm, yet sophisticated (on a par with the Centurion Lounges). The buffet offered a few items and several others were available a la carte. We tested multiple dishes on our first visit and were not impressed, this changed the second time we went where the food was much better and among the best offered in the US. The service is excellent and cocktails are well crafted. (Full review here. Update here.)

Address: Terminal B to C Connector (between gates B39 and B40)

3. Delta Sky Club® (ORD – Gate M11-M14)

The amazing Sky Club® in my home airport of ORD makes me want to fly Delta even more. An impressive buffet, plenty of space, and some of the friendliest employees make it an oasis in an otherwise crowded terminal. I like that flights to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are boarded right from the lounge and small touches like a hot dog cart give the space a sense of place. I’m biased as Chicago is home for half the year, but this lounge is one of the best that Delta operates. Insider tip: look for the hidden candy bar in the back of the lounge while visiting. (Full review here).

Address: Terminal 5, Concourse M, between M14 & M11

2. Capital One Lounge (DFW – D22)

The Capital One Lounge is one of the nicest lounges in the United States. It offers delicious food, lots of grab-and-go options, a nice bar, plenty of seating, fast Wi-Fi, and other amenities like a shower suite, Peloton studio, yoga room, a relaxation room, a nursing room, and a multi-faith prayer room. I’m looking forward to checking out the locations in Washington DC and Denver. (Full review here.)

Address: Terminal D, Gate D22

1. Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FRA)

I have loved the First Class Terminal every time that I have visited. The service is excellent, I love the restaurant, the shower suites are luxurious, and it is my favorite premium ground experience. Is it as exciting visiting the 3rd or 5th time? You feel pampered, but you know what to expect. Lufthansa is incredibly consistent with the experience. Prepare for delicious food, drinks, and to be whisked away to your plane via car or van. (Full review here.)

Address: Terminal D, Gate D22

Anthony’s Take: All of these lounges provided great spaces to work, relax, eat, drink, and get ready for the flights to come. I hope to visit them again and many more in 2024.

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: I love the lounges where The Platinum Card® from American Express grants me access. It has had a prominent place in my wallet for many years now. While it does have an annual fee of $695, it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion Lounges) and booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year). Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great premium card with lots of benefits including a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year; 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs including Hyatt and United; 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other eligible travel purchases. The annual fee is $550. 

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: I love the lounges that the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card allows me to access. I’ve been using this card more and more this year. While it does have an annual fee of $395, it provides many travel benefits like a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel as well as 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.