The Swankiest New Airport Lounges
How to get in—and what not to miss—at the world’s best new airport lounges.
The Sprawling Stunner: VIP Lounge by LATAM
Where: Santiago’s SCL West Area, fourth and fifth floors
Getting In: $50 for a day pass; free with a LATAM Premium Economy ticket, Oneworld Premium Business ticket, or Oneworld Sapphire status.
Design: The 23,000-squarefoot lounge is South America’s largest, featuring replicas of indigenous stone artifacts and a copper-lined grand staircase.
Food: The international buffet includes sushi, cheese, and charcuterie platters, and bottles of Chilean Carmenère.
Perks: Dedicated rooms cover everything from naps to video games (handheld PlayStation Vita devices included).
The Culinary Mecca: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Where: Los Angeles’s LAX, T2
Getting In: Free for Virgin Atlantic fliers with an Upper Class ticket or Gold status with Flying Club or Delta SkyMiles.
Design: Midcentury Modern with a bit of edge—bronze pendant lights, Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs, and a massive black-and-white mural.
Food: Small plates from of-themoment Century City restaurant Hinoki & the Bird, along with blends from the Juicery (this is L.A., after all).
Perks: Cowshed products in the bathrooms; views of the Hollywood Hills.
The Zen Oasis: Centurion Lounge Miami
Where: Miami’s MIA, North Terminal, Concourse D
Getting In: Free for top-tier American Express cardholders; $50 with other Amex cards.
Design: Bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wall covered in live succulents.
Food: Seasonal comfort dishes, like fried chicken with watermelon salad, come courtesy of local star chef Michelle Bernstein; the cocktail menu is by the legendary Jim Meehan, of Manhattan’s PDT.
Perks: The Exhale Spa offers 15-minute manicures; a soundproof kids’ room is a benefit for all travelers.
The Design Star: Cathay Pacific's Pier First Class Lounge
Where: Hong Kong’s HKG, Northwest Concourse, Gate 63
Getting In: Free with Oneworld Emerald status or a first-class Oneworld ticket.
Design: A horseshoe-shaped onyx bar and a library filled with bronze workstations—all designed by Ilse Crawford—lend a luxe pied-à-terre vibe.
Food: A pantry stocks grab-and-go snacks, and the dining room serves entrées like char siu bao (barbecued-pork buns).
Perks: Foot and neck massages can be had in eight day suites; the 14 showers have Aesop bath products.
The Service Wiz: SilverKris Lounge by Singapore Airlines
Where: London’s LHR, T2
Getting In: Free with a first- or business-class ticket, or Star Alliance Gold status.
Design: Interiors firm Ong & Ong is known for using natural materials—here, they’ve paired batik and blond wood with dramatic wingback chairs and modular work pods.
Food: The menus have both Asian and Western fare—try the Hainanese chicken rice and a Singapore Sling.
Perks: First-class passengers get butler service: welcome drinks, hot towels, and more.
