AT THESE ULTRA-SWANKY AIRPORT LOUNGES, THE FIRST-CLASS FLIGHT EXPERIENCE BEGINS ON THE GROUND, PAMPERING WEARIED TRAVELERS WITH EVERYTHING FROM AROMATHERAPY MASSAGES AND PRIVATE CHAUFFEUR SERVICE TO MICHELIN-STARRED BITES AND UNLIMITED GLASSES OF DOM AND KRUG

BY AMANDA McCOY

Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club and Reserve Suites

New York LaGuardia (LGA)

The first Chase Sapphire Lounge debuted in Hong Kong in late 2022, and today the global lounge collection spans six locations, with more in the pipeline. Each retreat features locally inspired, chef-curated menus, specialty beverages, and plenty of chic, sun-lit spaces to nibble, journal, catch up on emails, or relax before takeoff. This January, Chase christened its flagship Sapphire experience in LaGuardia’s freshly reimagined Terminal B, a sweeping, state-of-the-art amenity hall spread over two floors and 21,800 square feet. Accessible by Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, the lounge is dressed in designer furniture by Cappellini, Poliform, Moroso, and DePadova and features dedicated wellness rooms with treatments from Face Haus, a vintage-style arcade and game room, and a colorful kids playroom. The cocktail bar, anchored in the center of the main hall, serves premium wines alongside a bespoke cocktail and mocktail menu. Visitors are also treated to a variety of made-to-order and grab-and-go dishes by Joseph Leonard, the iconic West Village Bistro.

Though buzz surrounding the debut had been echoing for months, Chase managed to keep a surprise under wraps until the grand opening. In a first for Chase, the LGA flagship features three Reserve Suites, a trio of completely private bookable lounges within the lounge. The experience begins with a personal escort to a private elevator, which opens to one of three fully secluded living rooms, decked out with comfy sofas, large TVs and gaming consoles, and a dining table. The built-in wet bar is stocked with snacks, reserve label wines, and more, and a welcome Osetra Caviar service awaits on a silver platter. A dedicated attendant is on hand to cater to any needs, from pouring a glass of vintage Bordeaux to taking meal orders. For the latter, a special menu was curated for the suites, which includes a stacked seafood tower, lobster rolls, wild rice risotto, and a Mediterranean mezze platter. (Guests can also have any item on the main lounge menu delivered to their suite.)

The bathrooms alone are worth the price of admission (which ranges from $2,200 to $3,000 per three-hour experience). Large and lavish, the spa-like retreats feature a rainfall shower, plush robes, and a selection of designer amenities like Dyson hair dryers and Oribe products. chase.com

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

London Heathrow (LHR)

Fashioned after a five-star resort experience, the British airline’s London flagship is both swanky and sexy, offering A-list amenities atypical from your average business class lounge (even the elevators boast leather seating). At 26,000 square feet, the lounge is massive, though servers and made-to-order eats lend an air of intimacy. The club recently launched a new menu for breakfast and dinner; the former includes hearty portions of eggs royale with smoked salmon, a hot smoked salmon kedgeree with sriracha yogurt, and full English breakfast with the works. Afternoon and evening offerings span butter chicken, served with steamed rice, poppadum, mango chutney, lime pickles, raita, and naan bread; shepherds pie with roasted carrots; and grilled salmon with celeriac puree, beluga lentils, carrots, and savoy cabbage. There’s also a deli bar with fresh salads, meats, cheeses, freshly baked pastries, and more. In true English fashion, afternoon tea is a big deal here, with a vast selection that includes peppermint, honeybush, ginger, and a liver-cleansing detox blend.

The club’s large footprint affords several areas to slink into, including botanical-shrouded reading nooks, deep leather ottoman chairs, and contemporary swing seats. Check out the leafy rooftop garden for open-air views and a game of billiards, or work up a sweat before a sedentary flight on one of the in-lounge Peloton bikes overlooking the busy tarmac.

First class passengers have access to the Upper Class Wing, which includes a dedicated drop-off area, private security channel, and a separate entrance into the clubhouse. flywith.virginatlantic.com

PS

Los Angeles (LAX)

With 1,500 daily flight operations, LAX is one of the busiest airports on the planet, shuffling 75 million passengers through its crowded terminals every year. In 2017, the airport debuted a swanky new travel experi – ence that whisks members away from the hubbub and treats them to a quiet cocoon amid the hysteria. PS, a dedicated salon set far away from the public terminals, touts itself as the closest thing to flying private sans jet.

Upon arrival, members and their companions are guided through a dedicated TSA and customs checkpoint before entering the lounge, where they can choose to sip and mingle in the Salon, a swanky social club, or a dedicated Private Suite. The salon is dressed like a luxurious living room, boasting leather sofas, plush armchairs, and a glossy bar with velvet barstools. Expect top-shelf everything, from signature sipping cocktails to French champagne. The Private Suites offer even more seclusion, housed in spacious, light-flooded rooms overlooking the tarmac. There’s an oversized daybed tucked below the window, plus an entertainment center, fully stocked pantry and mini bar, and private restroom with rainfall showers and Aesop amenity kits.

Appetites are treated to a curated menu by executive chef Matt Roman, and all dishes are made fresh to order. Snacks include beautifully plated charcuterie boards, vegan tacos, seasonal flatbreads, and hamachi crudo, while larger portions span hanger steak with asparagus puree, blackened Scottish salmon, and pan-seared scallops. Items can also be packaged to take on the go, and when it’s time to depart, a BMW chauffeurs passengers directly to the aircraft, avoiding the vexing group boarding process entirely.

All access membership rings in at $4,850 per year, though guests can purchase single-day passes. reserveps.com

Air France La Première Lounge

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDC)

Air France’s ultra-posh first-class cabin is a champagne experience, but the Blanc de Blancs start flowing far before takeoff. The airline’s flagship lounge at Charles de Gaulle is every bit as chic as one would expect from the French carrier; a soothing color palette of white and warm gray is highlighted with pops of Air France’s signature red, and furnishings from renowned interior designers like Christophe Pillet and Pierre Paulin beckon travelers to relax and unwind with a glass of premium champagne Krug Grande Cuvée, perhaps, or a Piper-Heidsieck Brut Vintage circa 2006?

Access is granted via an exclusive check-in lobby, from where each guest is personally escorted to the lounge through a private passageway. From there, they are welcomed into a sprawling 10,700-squarefoot oasis beneath the clouds, featuring a full-service bar and culinary program with selections from one of France’s most prominent chefs, the three-Michelin star-toting Alain Ducasse. Pop open a bottle of Orezza sparkling water before feasting on plates of confit duck foie gras, elbow pasta with ham and black truffle, and Iberian smoked white ham. There’s also an impressive dessert menu, boasting indulgences like vanilla ice cream with coffee and praline and Monte Carlo-style baba with rum. Battling any pre-flight stress? Feel it all melt away in the dedicated spa by plant-based cosmetology superbrand Sisley.

This year, the lounge debuted three new exclusive bookable suites, each stretching 500 feet and managed by a private butler. Each suite is finished with a swanky living area, a separate bedroom with a double bed, an oversized spa bathroom, and a bright outdoor patio. The ultra-luxury experience is heightened by thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, French artworks on the walls, and Charlotte Perriand writing tables. airfrance.us