Airline Lounges – International
Once you are checked in for your flight and been through immigration, there will be many retail outlets for you to peruse and most major airlines in most cities will have airline lounges or a club. If you are traveling on an airline which is part of an alliance program (eg Star Alliance, Elevate, One World, Flying Blue, Skywards, etc) there will be a lounge/club for the airline resident in the country you are in. You will have reciprocal rights to use. Like domestic lounges, these lounges/clubs generally provide a wider range of services than their domestic equivalent.
Lounges often require membership via an annual fee or alternatively depending on your Status with your airline, you may be able to enjoy these facilities free of charge. Sometimes you can enter on a pay per use basis. The class you are flying will also be a determinant of which lounge you are allowed to enjoy. Some airlines have separate lounge for first class passengers, for example. Most of these lounges have a business center, power and portal access for computers and phones. Television is provided and basic refreshments are free of charge. Some require you to pay for more substantial drinks and food. Others provide these free of charge. Some have restaurant service. Check the airline website for the details of what is available at the lounge/club you will be visiting.
Most airline lounges also have showering facilities which range from shower rooms with towels provided to “Cabanas” with bath or shower. The higher end may provide the choice of bath fragrances and even massage services, at a fee. These can all be booked ahead of time.
Keep your eye on the television monitors with flight departure times and updates, etc to ensure you board on time. This may seem obvious but if you listen to the number of passengers being called to flights when you travel, you will notice that it happens all the time. It is mostly because people are focused on other things (like working on their laptop or phone).
In some lounges, they will also announce the flights and any updated information.
Check out www.loungepass.com for a list of airline lounges.
