Airport lounges opening the second half of 2019
New luxury lounges opening at major airports all over the world this year. American Airlines rolled out a new Flagship Lounge at its largest hub at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. It’s also revamping part of its food and beverage program at Admirals Club and Flagship lounges around the country.
United Polaris took home a big win as the Best Business Class Lounge in the World at the Skytrax 2019 World Airline Awards. Star Alliance has been updating its lounges in Europe. They’ve also just opened a snazzy new lounge in Amsterdam.
It’s likely you can find a new or at least updated lounge there to cater to your needs. Whether you prefer a certain airline’s lounges or non-airline affiliated lounges like the Centurion Lounge, here are the upcoming lounge openings that you can expect in the latter half of 2019.
Centurion Lounge: London
The Centurion Lounge at Heathrow is slated for Terminal 3. The 7,000-square-foot space will provide the amenities you’ve come to know and love at Centurion Lounges, like premium showers. But, they also offer unique amenities inspired by the lounge’s location in London.
The Centurion Lounge at Heathrow is the first Centurion Lounge in Europe. “The lounge will offer a unique and premium experience for American Express customers and a comfortable haven, bringing to life the essence of modern British hospitality,” commented John Arbuckle, head of property at Heathrow, when the lounge was announced.
Of course, Centurion Lounges are only open to Centurion members and American Express Platinum cardholders.
United Club: New Orleans
If you fly in and out of New Orleans quite frequently, then you’re probably eagerly awaiting the opening of the airport’s new terminal. It was scheduled to open in May but has been delayed until the fall. When the new terminal does open with its 30-plus gates, United MileagePlus members will enjoy access to a new United Club.
This new United Club is just one of many that the airline has opened this year. It just recently moved into LaGuardia Terminal B with a new lounge. Earlier in 2019, the airline debuted a new lounge at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Airport Lounge Development (ALD): New Orleans, Buffalo, Miami, San Jose
United isn’t the only airline planning to open a new lounge in the new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Airport Lounge Development (ALD) plans to open a new lounge in the terminal. ALD is part of Collinson who has an independent airport lounge network called “The Club” that can be found in select cities in the UK and USA. Their most recent opening was at Charleston International Airport.
For $40, travelers can purchase day passes either online or at the lounge for access to The Club. Priority Pass members can use The Club for free.
That’s not the single new lounge ALD has planned for 2019, though. You can also expect a new lounge to open at Buffalo Niagara International Airport any day now. Furthermore, there are lounges expected to open at Miami International Airport as well as a second The Club lounge at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Delta: New Orleans
Delta also has a planned lounge for the new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Delta’s presence wraps up the new lounges slated for the new terminal.
British Airways: Geneva, Johannesburg
British Airways has been opening a slew of new lounges this year. It doesn’t look like the airline is stopping anytime soon. After opening new lounges on both the East and West Coasts, the airline also announced plans for new lounges in Geneva and Johannesburg. Expect these to open later on in 2019.
Beyond its own new lounges, British Airways also very recently promoted a new partnership with third-party lounges. This gives travelers in Europe the ability to visit other lounges that they normally might not. These third-party lounges are located in Thessaloniki, Paphos, Heraklion, Dalaman, Olbia, Palermo, Rhodes and Split.
“We know how important it is to our customers to have access to a lounge before they fly. We’ve expanded our partnerships so whether traveling for business or pleasure, more of our customers can now enjoy a calm lounge, WiFi and complimentary food and drink when they fly with us this summer,” said British Airways Director of Brand and Customer Experience Carolina Martinoli of the promotion.
Turkish Airlines: Istanbul
Turkish Airlines already has a lounge at the new Istanbul Airport. However, that’s not stopping it from opening another, even better one. The Turkish Airlines Exclusive Lounge, expected to open in early fall, is only for Turkish Airlines business-class travelers who are also top-tier Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite or Elite Plus members.
These requirements really do make the lounge extremely exclusive. Details are pretty hush-hush, but, after it opens, it should be able to hold just shy of 200 passengers, reported forbes.com and www.worldairlineawards.com.