Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links below. 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.
Priority Pass has announced the winners of its 2026 Excellence Awards. These recognize the top airport lounges worldwide based on more than 700,000 member ratings and reviews. This year’s results highlight a clear shift in traveler expectations with passengers increasingly valuing lounges that deliver a sense of place, comfort, and curated experiences rather than just basic amenities.
The top honor, Global Lounge of the Year, went to the Escape Lounges at Portland International Airport (PDX). The lounge was praised for blending contemporary design with strong local identity, featuring regionally inspired food, artwork, and materials that reflect Portland’s creative culture. Judges noted that the space feels more like an extension of the destination than a traditional airport lounge and that it offered a calm and thoughtfully designed environment for travelers.
Priority Pass also recognized standout lounges across five global regions:
North America: Escape Lounges – Portland International Airport (PDX)
Asia Pacific: Lounge Fukuoka – Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
Europe: Vienna Lounge – Vienna Airport (VIE)
Latin America and the Caribbean: Club Kingston – Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport (KIN)
Middle East and Africa: Bidvest Premier Lounge – Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Other highly commended lounges included locations in Kansas City, Hong Kong, Jersey, and Campinas.
Introduced for 2026, the “One to Watch” category highlights lounges that have significantly improved over the past year:
EMEA: VIP Lounge Angelo D’Arrigo – Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport (CTA)
Asia Pacific: I.A.S.S Superior Lounge – Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
Americas: Advantage VIP Lounge – São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU)
These lounges were recognized for rapidly elevating their offerings and positioning themselves as future leaders in the space.
The awards underscore a broader trend in aviation: travelers are no longer satisfied with purely functional spaces. Instead, they are seeking lounges that offer:
- Local design and cultural elements
- High-quality, regionally inspired food and drinks
- Comfortable, well-designed environments
- A sense of calm and exclusivity
This evolution is redefining the role of airport lounges as integral parts of the travel experience rather than simple waiting areas.
Anthony’s Take: The 2026 Priority Pass Excellence Awards show that the best lounges today go beyond convenience to deliver immersive, destination-inspired experiences. With Portland’s Escape Lounges leading the way, the future of airport lounges is increasingly about thoughtful design, local character, and elevated comfort.
(Image Credits: Priority Pass.)
User Generated Content Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.
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.
