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In 2026, airport lounges remain one of the most coveted perks of premium travel. Airline lounges offer a place to relax before a flight, and provide a variety of amenities including free food and beverages, workspaces, and sometimes shower facilities, spas, or in-lounge restaurants.
As airlines compete for the growing market of premium travelers, access to airlines’ lounges before a flight is a crucial part of deciding which airline to fly. Whether flying internationally or domestically, some airlines severely restrict lounge access to only business or first class passengers, while others are more open and offer the option to purchase lounge passes regardless of class of service. Here’s a look at just five airlines that have a combination of luxurious lounges and a wide range of ways to gain access.
United Airlines
Large domestic network with premium Polaris lounges
United Airlines’ lounge network is centered around its United Club locations and a handful of premium Polaris business class lounges. This breaks down to 47 United Club locations and six Polaris lounges across the US, although many are clustered in United’s largest hubs, like Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). United’s Polaris lounges, complete with amenities like showers, on-demand dining, and pricey alcoholic beverages, are only accessible to passengers traveling internationally in United’s Polaris business class.
Passengers traveling in United Polaris, international United Business, or transcontinental United Business (from Newark to either San Francisco or Los Angeles), are eligible to enter United Club locations at their departure and arrival airports, with access during layovers only granted to Polaris or international business class passengers. Additionally, those with United Gold or Star Alliance Gold status or above can access United Club locations if traveling internationally on a Star Alliance airline on the same day.
Outside of premium travel or elite status, travelers with certain United credit cards receive either a United Club membership (which can also be purchased outright for $750) or a select number of one-time United Club passes each year. Passengers who still want to access the United Club before their flight can purchase a lounge pass for $59, subject to lounge availability.
Once inside the United Club, travelers can find a selection of seating, as well as hot and cold food options and complimentary drinks at most locations. United has also been working in recent years to expand and update its lounge network, including a brand-new design and food concept that has already been rolled out at airports like Chicago, Denver, and Newark.
Emirates
Global luxury with flexible entry options
Emirates operates one of the most luxurious airline lounge networks in the world, with the glamour of its onboard products translating to the airport experience. With more than 40 lounges across six continents, Emirates’ lounge network is also one of the most extensive. The crown jewel of this network is Emirates’ massive lounges at its hub in Dubai, where the airline operates separate first class and business class lounges across multiple concourses, each large enough to function almost like a terminal of its own.
Emirates’ first class lounges are among the most exclusive in commercial aviation, offering restaurant dining, premium champagne and spirits, complimentary spa services, and even direct boarding from its Dubai lounge. The airline’s business class lounges, while a step below the first class offering, can be found across the world and offer expansive buffets, full bars, and ample workspace. All the airline’s lounges are finished with Emirates’ signature Middle Eastern flair, with gold accents and light cream-colored furniture.
Access to Emirates’ lounges is primarily granted to passengers flying in either Emirates first or business, as well as Emirates SkywardsSilver, Gold, and Platinum elite members traveling on the airline. Additionally, Emirates offers options to purchase access to its lounges, even including its massive first class lounge in Dubai. Access to any Emirates lounge location outside of Dubai will cost $155, while purchasing access to the Dubai Business Class lounge will run $175. For the first class lounge, passengers who already have access to the business class lounge can upgrade to the first class lounge for $175, while other passengers can purchase first class lounge access outright for $300.
Delta Air Lines
Premium lounges across the US
Within the US, Delta’s network of Delta Sky Clubs has remained as one of the most recognized lounge brands. While Delta has recently updated its access policies in an effort to reduce overcrowding in its lounges, the airline operates an impressive total of 56 lounges spread across the US. Delta’s Sky Clubs reflect the airline’s attempt to position itself as the most premium airline in the US, with many finished with marble counters, sleek gold fixtures, and Delta’s signature navy and red colors with cream accents.
As previously mentioned, access to Delta’s Sky Clubs is more restricted today than it was just a few years ago. Delta credit cards, like the Delta American Express Reserve, offer cardholders 15 Sky Club visits each year, while other credit cards like the AMEX Platinum only offer ten visits each year. In addition, while specific requirements get complicated, Delta does also offer Sky Club access to domestic and international Delta One passengers, select SkyTeam premium cabin passengers, and Delta Medallion elite members when traveling in a premium cabin internationally.
Unfortunately, unlike competitors like United, Delta has removed the option to purchase a single-visit lounge pass. However, for Medallion elites, Delta continues to offer paid membership options, either an individual membership for $695/year or an executive membership for $1,495/year, which allows access for up to two guests. Despite newly imposed limits on who can enter Delta’s lounges, the Sky Club network continues to grow across the US. In addition, Delta has invested in its premium business class lounge network, Delta One Lounges, which is now available at four airports across the US: Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
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Qantas
Flexible club network and lounge passes
Qantas has long offered lounge access to its frequent fliers, premium cabin passengers, and those who purchase lounge passes. In total, Qantas operates 47 lounges across the world, with the majority located in airports across Australia. Amongst these are Qantas regional lounges, Qantas Clubs, business lounges, international lounges, and four first lounges located in Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles, and Singapore. Regional lounges are usually located at smaller airports and don’t offer many amenities, while Qantas clubs are the airline’s standard domestic lounge offering.
Moving up, Qantas’ Business and International Lounges offer more amenities than Qantas Clubs and are usually reserved for business class passengers or those with high Qantas status on domestic and international routes. Qantas First lounges are by far the airline’s most luxurious offering, only for first class passengers or those with top-tier Qantas or oneworld status. Nevertheless, at all Qantas lounges (except regional lounges), passengers can expect a selection of hot food and complimentary beverages, with offerings becoming more exclusive, like à la carte dining and premium drinks being served in higher-tier lounges.
To access Qantas’ network of lounges, passengers will either have to be flying in a premium cabin (business or first class, with access to the respective lounge), have frequent flyer status with the airline, or be a 
oneworld partner, be the holder of a Qantas Club membership, or use single-entry passes. For Qantas or oneworld elites, Qantas Platinum and Platinum Pro, as well as oneworld Emerald status, grant access to Qantas’ First lounges. For other elites, access may be granted to business lounges or lower, depending on whether flying on Qantas Metal or on a oneworld partner. Interestingly, Qantas also offers a paid one- or two-year lounge membership which costs $799 AUD or $1,499 AUD, respectively, granting the holder access to Qantas Club and Qantas business lounges for the main passenger and one guest.
Alaska Airlines
Expanding Pacific Northwest lounge network
Currently, 
Alaska Airlines operates eight lounges, all on the West Coast. While a relatively limited network today, Alaska is already working on brand-new lounge projects across the US. In San Diego, the carrier will begin construction of its first lounge at the airport in 2027, while an all-new 13,000 square foot lounge is coming to Portland this year. Elsewhere, at its home airport in Seattle, Alaska will launch a new flagship business class lounge to support the carrier’s new long-haul widebody efforts, as well as a new premium Hawaiian Airlines lounge, Alaska’s sister carrier, in Honolulu. Additionally, the carrier recently finished renovations of its Anchorage and Seattle locations, as well as a relocation and revamp of its San Francisco outpost.
Inside Alaska’s lounges, passengers can find an assortment of complimentary food and drinks, including full-service bars and hot buffet options. With the carrier’s revamp of its lounge network, Alaska is bringing a classier look, with more natural elements, to its lounges. This includes the use of wood accents, light browns, and dark blues and blacks, paying homage to the Pacific Northwest’s natural landscape.
In terms of access, there are many ways to gain entry into Alaska’s lounges. The most straightforward way to enter is to purchase a cash or award first or business class ticket on an Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines of at least 2,000 miles. If at least one flight does not exceed 2,000 miles, guests may purchase a lounge pass for $35. Another simple way to gain access is by being an Alaska Lounge or Lounge+ member, a potentially valuable investment for frequent fliers. This paid membership gains access to all Alaska lounges, plus the Plumeria Lounge in Hawaii, for $595 per year with the Lounge membership or everything previously stated and access to 90 partner lounges for $795 a year in the case of the Lounge+ membership.
However, access is not limited to first class passengers or those with a lounge membership. Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire elites can access the Alaska lounge when traveling on a oneworld airline. However, for Alaska elites, including Atmos Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members, access is limited to international flights outside of Canada or Mexico on a oneworld partner airline. Additionally, Alaska’s new Atmos Summit credit card provides lounge day pass benefits, and even Alaska passengers without any of the aforementioned tags can purchase lounge passes for $65 each.
