#airport-lounges

#airport-lounges

In a world where third spaces are dying, and consumers are being segregated between haves and have-nots at every turn, the airport bar has quietly endured. But the airport bar is not-so-quietly under siege. Airport concessions took a hit during the pandemic, and while they benefited from the subsequent revenge travel, the rebound has stalled.

Airport lounges used to be a perk. In 2026, they are a battleground. American Express is refreshing Centurion Lounges and adding faster Sidecar formats. Chase is experimenting with champagne parlors and hyperlocal chef partnerships in its Sapphire Lounges. Citi is back in the ultra-premium card game. And Capital One, the relative newcomer, is making a different bet. Instead of building another lounge at LaGuardia Airport, it built a restaurant.

When we reunited on the plane, I expected my husband to be a little testy. I wouldn't have blamed him for being upset. While I started my vacation early in a quiet corner with unlimited food and drinks, he was stuck in the terminal with the masses. Yet, against all odds, he was content and in a good mood. We were both more relaxed than we usually are on travel days, and we wondered whether separating at the airport should become a habit.

In the latest air travel news, Southwest Airlines is reportedly thinking about issuing a high-fee credit card that would give purchasers access to a new network of airport lounges at its busiest airports, among other benefits; Southwest also rolled out its first new 737 MAX 8 with a redesigned interior; U.S. airports are rejecting a demand from the Department of Homeland Security that they show a controversial video to passengers waiting in line for security screenings;

Airport lounges can be a haven for frequent travelers, offering a quiet break from chaotic airport terminals. For remote workers, they can turn travel downtime into productive work hours. Whether you're prepping for a meeting, catching up on email, or squeezing in some focused writing before a flight, you can use an airport lounge as a mobile office. Although airport lounges can be great for work, getting tasks done sometimes takes strategy.

American Express is enhancing food and beverage options at Centurion Lounges with items from James Beard-winning chefs to elevate the traveler experience significantly.

Both the lounges at LAX evoke a sense of old Hollywood glamour, yet they each offer unique atmospheres that cater to different preferences.