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It’s no secret that lounges are packed to the gills with travelers looking for a place to work or relax before a flight. Airline club membership costs continue to rise, rules become more restrictive, and several credit card issuers have entered the lounge game. Even with all of this activity, the demand is yet to be met and according to a new report, it’s only going to keep growing.
ResearchAndMarkets.com released its “Global Airport Lounge Access Market” report today. It analyzed the lounge operations of:
- Air France
- American Express
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta Air Lines
- DreamFolks
- Emirates
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- United Airlines
The global lounge business generated $6.42 billion in 2022. This is expected to skyrocket to revenue of $55.71 billion by the end of 2028. The report details the increased demand (especially in the Americas) as travelers fly more and join airline loyalty programs and lounges can be cross promoted. The disposable income of Americans is also noted as one of the factors for additional lounges needed.
Technology Leads the Way
The report cited that mobile applications, which enable travelers to reserve lounge access and other amenities from their smartphones has also fueled growth. Biometric identification technology expedites security and entrance to lounges. Travelers will spend less time standing in line and more time relaxing in the lounge as a result. Charging stations and high-speed Wi-Fi are other amenities that guests expect.
A Focus on Health and Wellness
An increased emphasis on health and fitness has popped up in guests’ wants. Several lounges now include amenities like spa services, yoga courses, fitness rooms, saunas, and healthy food alternatives.
Anthony’s Take: I visit an airport lounge 99% of the time that I travel. Whether that is one that I can access from my credit card like the Centurion Lounge, one that comes from holding Star Alliance Gold or SkyTeam Elite Plus status, or one that is granted through Priority Pass, I almost always find a lounge and enjoy the conveniences they provide. Yes, they’re crowded and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, but they still provide a place to eat, work, and relax while I travel.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
