- Mr Plane Guy
- Dec 21, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 13
Best Airport Lounges in the UK (2026 Edition)
By Mr Plane Guy Travel Blogger, Flight Expert & Airport Lounge Champagne Sampler
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying high (and fuels my airport-latte habit). Thanks for your support!
Welcome to Plane Lounge Life
From pre-flight prosecco to proper British tea service, the UK is home to some of the best airport lounges in the world and I’ve personally tested so many and I am on a mission to test the lot (purely for research, of course).
Whether you’re flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, or Edinburgh, flying for work or you're flying for holidays, or just hate waiting at the gate. here’s my insider guide to the best airport lounges in the UK, tested, tasted, and rated by yours truly. I've also put together a list of each regional airport and its lounges on offer at each of those.
This guide is for economy and premium economy flyers who want lounge access without paying airline prices, whether you’re flying for work, holidays, or just hate waiting at the gate.
Heathrow Airport Lounges
If there’s a capital of lounges, it’s Heathrow. From iconic Virgin glamour to quiet Clubrooms chic, this airport is where pre-flight indulgence hits cruising altitude.
London Heathrow Airport Lounge Reviews:
The Best Gatwick Airport Lounges
Gatwick’s lounges are seriously underrated. Whether you’re escaping the North Terminal crowds or heading off to the sun from the South, there’s a space here that feels worlds away from the gate. Wondering what is the Best Lounge at Gatwick? I Visited Them All So You Don’t Have To Read my full Gatwick lounge reviews (North & South Terminal).
Check out my Gatwick Airport Lounge Reviews
Manchester Airport Lounges
Manchester’s lounge scene has levelled up recently, and it’s now home to some genuinely great spaces that make long-haul travel feel first-class.
Manchester Airport Lounge Reviews
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Birmingham Airport Lounges
Small airport, big lounge game. Birmingham’s lounge options are compact but classy, ideal for short-haul flyers or anyone looking to start their trip with a bit of calm.
No 1 Lounge – Birmingham Airport
Aspire Lounge – Birmingham Airport
Edinburgh Airport Lounges
Aspire Lounge – Edinburgh Airport
Turkish Airlines Lounge (Here is my review when it was just a Plaza Premium Lounge)
Glasgow Airport Lounges
UpperDeck Lounge – Glasgow Airport
Belfast Airport Lounges
Northern Ireland might only have a handful of lounges, but they punch above their weight for hospitality.
Causeway Lounge – Belfast International
Aspire Lounge – Belfast City
Liverpool Airport Lounges
Aspire Lounge – Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool Airport’s New Aspire Lounge Just Changed Everything Here’s What It’s Really Like
Bristol Airport Lounges
Aspire Lounge – Bristol Airport
Newcastle Airport Lounges
Aspire Lounge – Newcastle Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport Lounges
Aspire Lounge – Leeds Bradford Airport
London City Airport Lounges
No dedicated lounge, but Priority Pass members receive discounts at The City Bar & Grill and other airport restaurants.
London Luton Airport Lounges
MyLounge- Luton Airport My Lounge at Luton Airport a Traveller’s Honest Experience
No1 Lounge - Luton Airport
London Stansted Airport Lounges
Escape Lounge- Stansted Airport Review: Escape Lounge, London Stansted Airport
Priority Pass – Easy Entry Every Time
No business-class ticket? No problem. Priority Pass opens doors to over 1800 airport lounges and travel experiences in 725 airports across 145 countries, including No 1 Lounges, Aspire, and Plaza Premium across the UK.
Why I always recommend it:
Works at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Newcastle, and more
Perfect for economy flyers who want first-class calm
Includes guest passes on selected plans
Instant digital access via the app
Restaurant credits available at select UK airports
Even after hundreds of lounge visits, Priority Pass remains my go-to. My exclusive 30% off deal makes it even sweeter, especially when you’re flying from airports where lounge access can cost a fortune on the day.
Plane Tip:I’ve used Priority Pass across Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and abroad for years, it’s the single membership I renew without hesitation.
Priority Pass Membership Plans Explained
Priority Pass offers three plans:
Standard — low annual fee, and you pay-as-you-go per visit.
Standard Plus — includes 10 free visits per year! If you travel more than 3 times a year this is amazing value!
Prestige — unlimited free member visits all year.
All three let you bring guests for the stated visit fee.
You’ll also find some lounges with a small additional charge (clearly shown in the app), but these are rare.
I definitely get value for money out of my Priority Pass, worth every penny!
Mr Plane Guy’s Top 5 UK Lounges
If I had to pick my absolute favourites, these are the ones I’d happily arrive early for (and I don’t say that lightly, I once got to Heathrow at 4 a.m. just for breakfast in the Clubhouse).
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – Heathrow T3
British Airways Concorde Room – Heathrow T5
No 1 Lounge – Gatwick North, (accessible via Priority Pass)
1903 Lounge – Manchester T2, (accessible via Priority Pass)
Aspire Lounge – Edinburgh, (accessible via Priority Pass)
How to Access UK Airport Lounges
There’s more than one way to skip the gate chaos. Here’s how I access lounges (and how you can too):
Access Type | Example Lounges | Cost | Notes |
Priority Pass | No 1, Aspire, Plaza Premium | from £48/year (with discount) | 1800+ lounges worldwide |
Airline Status | BA, Virgin Atlantic | Free | Elite flyers only |
Day Pass | No 1 Lounge, Plaza Premium | £35–£50 | Book online or walk in |
Amex Platinum | Multiple UK Lounges | Included | Ideal for frequent flyers |
Restaurant Credit | Southend, London City | Included with Priority Pass | £23 off food/drinks per person |
Plane Related Reads
If you’re planning more lounge-hopping or want to see the best across Europe too:
Final Boarding Call
From London to Belfast, Leeds to Edinburgh, these UK airport lounges prove you don’t need a first-class ticket to travel like one. Whether you’re after peace, perks, or just a pre-flight prosecco, there’s a lounge (or restaurant credit!) waiting for you.
So next time you’re flying, skip the gate seats and grab your Priority Pass discount because even a short flight deserves a stylish start.
Cheers to calm cabins, comfy chairs, and bottomless bubbles. 🍾
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Best Airport Lounges in the UK. (2026 Edition)
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