7 most blinging airport lounges for the luxury traveller: expect five-star fine dining, cigars, vintage tipples and spa treatments in Dubai, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore and more global business hubs

Jan 1 , 2024

Every detail is taken into consideration at Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge to enhance the luxury traveller’s experience. Photo: @cathaypacific/Instagram

Inspired by the Museum of Islamic Art, the award-winning Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has nine spa rooms and a 250-seat restaurant with international and Arabian cuisine

Singapore Airlines’ Private Room in Changi, which went through a US$50-million expansion, offers a playroom and baby care area so parents can keep their kids busy

Sleep pods, full-service restaurants, showers and delicious cocktails are just some necessities that make an excellent first-class lounge. All of these perks are in place to ensure seasoned luxury travellers enjoy the benefits of luxe travel well before setting foot on the plane.

These lounges also allow affluent travellers to spend their layovers in the lap of luxury, indulging in spa treatments with direct boarding and quiet areas, to arrive rested and rejuvenated at their destinations.

So what sets one lounge apart from the other? Here’s a sneak peek into some of the best first-class lounges in the world.

1. Emirates First Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport

The Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai Airport offers direct access to boarding. Photo: @DXB/Instagram

When it comes to opulence, no one does it better than Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, so it’s not surprising that the Emirates First Class Lounge reflects the city’s splendour. Located in Terminal 3, Concourse B, the first-class lounge stretches a hefty 645 metres.

A feature which sets this lounge apart is the sheer number of seating options available in various configurations. When it comes to dining, standing and queuing are simply not options. Sit down, relax and order from a set menu offering an array of scrumptious dishes.

Various seating options are available at The Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai Airport. Photo: @DXB/Instagram

The Emirates First-Class Lounge also offers complimentary spa treatments, including massages, manicures, pedicures and blow-dries.

2. Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport

Meant only for the airlines’ first-class passengers, the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt offers an array of services. Photo: @laxtraveler/Instagram

Separated in its own terminal, the first-class section of this airport is meant for the exclusive use of Lufthansa first-class passengers only.