- Mr Plane Guy
- Jun 18
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 25
What Is Priority Pass? The Complete UK Guide to Airport Lounge Access (2026)
By travel expert and airport lounge Champagne sampler, Mr Plane Guy
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the blog and fund my ongoing airport lounge "research."
What Is Priority Pass?
If you've ever walked past an airport lounge and wondered whether there was a way inside without flying Business Class, the answer is yes.
Priority Pass is the world's largest airport lounge membership programme, giving travellers access to over 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences across more than 700 airports worldwide.
Unlike airline lounges, you don't need elite status, a Business Class ticket or a First Class boarding pass.
Whether you're flying easyJet to Malaga, British Airways to New York or Qatar Airways to Doha, Priority Pass can provide airport lounge access regardless of your airline or cabin class.
For many travellers, it's the easiest way to upgrade the airport experience without paying premium cabin prices.
Priority Pass is effectively an airport lounge pass, allowing members to access airport lounges worldwide without needing airline status or a premium cabin ticket. For many frequent travellers, it has become the most popular airport lounge membership available in the UK.
Feature | Priority Pass | Paying Per Visit |
Lounge Access | Unlimited options | One-off |
Cost Per Visit | Lower for frequent travellers | £38-£50 |
Heathrow Access | Yes | Depends |
Gatwick Access | Yes | Depends |
Manchester Access | Yes | Depends |
What Is Airport Lounge Access?
Airport lounge access gives you entry to private airport lounges located beyond airport security. Instead of sitting at a crowded departure gate, airport lounges typically offer:
Complimentary food
Tea and coffee
Beer, wine and spirits
Comfortable seating
Charging points
Free Wi-Fi
Flight information screens
Quieter surroundings
Some premium airport lounges also include:
Shower facilities
Private workspaces
Meeting rooms
Runway views
Premium dining
Champagne bars
Airport lounge access is no longer just for Business Class passengers. Millions of travellers now use airport lounge memberships such as Priority Pass, DragonPass and LoungeKey to access lounges before their flights.
Can Economy Passengers Use Airport Lounges?
Absolutely.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions in travel.
You do not need a Business Class ticket to access airport lounges.
Economy passengers can gain airport lounge access through:
Priority Pass
DragonPass
LoungeKey
Premium credit cards
Airline status programmes
Purchasing lounge access directly
In fact, most of the travellers I see using airport lounges are flying in Economy.
How Does Priority Pass Work?
Priority Pass is surprisingly simple.
Join Priority Pass.
Download the Priority Pass app.
Search for participating lounges.
Present your membership card.
Enjoy the lounge before your flight.
Depending on your membership level, visits may either be included or charged individually.
Many lounges also allow you to pre-book access for additional peace of mind during busy travel periods.
Once you've joined Priority Pass, your digital Priority Pass card can be used at participating airport lounges worldwide. Many travellers never carry the physical card and simply use the Priority Pass app.
Priority Pass Cost Explained: Which Membership Is Best?
Priority Pass currently offers three membership options.
Standard
Best for occasional travellers.
Annual membership fee
Lounge visits charged individually
Standard Plus
Best for regular travellers.
Annual membership fee
Includes complimentary lounge visits
Additional visits charged separately
Prestige
Best for frequent flyers.
Unlimited lounge access
No charge for your own visits
Priority Pass frequently runs promotions and discounts, so it's worth checking the latest offers before joining.
Is Priority Pass Cheaper Than Paying Per Visit?
Most UK airport lounges now charge between £38 and £50 per person for entry. If you travel several times per year, a Priority Pass membership can quickly work out cheaper than paying for lounge access individually.
What Do You Get Inside an Airport Lounge?
This is one of the most common questions I receive.
Most airport lounges include:
✔ Complimentary food
✔ Tea and coffee
✔ Soft drinks
✔ Beer and wine
✔ Comfortable seating
✔ Charging points
✔ Wi-Fi
✔ Flight information screens
Some lounges go much further. I've visited lounges that included:
Freshly cooked meals
Premium spirits
Showers
Business facilities
Runway views
Quiet relaxation areas
The quality varies dramatically depending on the airport and lounge operator.
While every airport lounge is different, most Priority Pass lounges include enough food, drinks and facilities to make arriving at the airport early far more enjoyable.
Is Food Free in Airport Lounges?
Usually, yes.
Most Priority Pass lounges include complimentary food and drinks as part of your entry.
Typical offerings include:
Breakfast buffets
Hot meals
Sandwiches
Cakes and snacks
Tea and coffee
Soft drinks
Beer and wine
Some lounges genuinely surprise you. The Plaza Premium Lounge in Rome served some of the best airport food I've had, while the award-winning Vienna Lounge felt closer to a Business Class lounge than a typical Priority Pass offering.
If you've ever paid £20+ for a coffee, sandwich and drink at the airport, lounge access suddenly starts making a lot more sense.
How to Get Free Airport Lounge Access
There are several ways to access airport lounges without paying for individual visits.
Options include:
Premium credit cards
Airline elite status
Corporate travel memberships
Complimentary Priority Pass memberships
Some premium credit cards include Priority Pass as a benefit, making airport lounge access effectively free once you hold the card. This is one of the most popular ways frequent travellers access airport lounges. I get four complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year with my American Express Gold Card, but unfortunately that's not enough for me!
Airport Lounge Membership vs Paying Per Visit
If you only fly once per year, paying for lounge access individually may make sense.
However, airport lounge access typically costs:
£38–£50 per visit
Per person
For frequent travellers, an airport lounge membership such as Priority Pass can quickly become better value.
Particularly if you:
Travel regularly
Fly long haul
Experience delays
Travel through expensive airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, oh wait they are all expensive!
Priority Pass Heathrow Lounges
Heathrow offers the strongest Priority Pass lounge network in the UK and is one of the main reasons many travellers choose a Priority Pass membership.
My Heathrow lounge reviews include:
Terminal 3 Read this next Best Heathrow Terminal 3 Lounges Ranked (2026)
Terminal 5
If you're looking for Heathrow airport lounge access, Priority Pass remains one of the easiest ways to access lounges without flying Business Class.
London Heathrow Lounge Reviews:
Priority Pass Gatwick Lounges
Gatwick Airport is another excellent airport for Priority Pass members. If you're flying from London Gatwick, Priority Pass provides access to several lounges across both North and South Terminals.
My reviews include:
These lounges provide some of the best airport lounge access options outside Heathrow.
Gatwick Airport Lounge Reviews:
Priority Pass Manchester Lounges
Manchester Airport continues to improve its lounge offering.
I've reviewed:
The ongoing Terminal 2 expansion has significantly improved the overall passenger experience.
There’s also a new Manchester Airport lounge in Terminal 2, the Executive Lounge, but it comes at a much higher price point.
Priority Pass Birmingham Lounges
Birmingham Airport is often overlooked, but it has some surprisingly strong lounge options.
My reviews include:
Read my review of No1 Lounge Birmingham. Let's just say it wasn't quite the premium experience I was expecting.
Flying from Liverpool Airport? Read my honest Aspire Lounge & Luxe by Aspire review before your next flight, cocktails, Priority Pass, premium seating and whether Luxe is actually worth the upgrade.
Other Airport Lounge Reviews
Over the years I've visited lounges across the UK and Europe.
Other reviews include:
My Favourite Priority Pass Lounges in the UK
Airport | Lounge | Rating |
Heathrow T3 | Clubrooms | 9/10 |
Heathrow T5 | Plaza Premium | 8/10 |
Gatwick South | Clubrooms | 9/10 |
Manchester | 1903 Lounge | 9/10 |
Birmingham | Clubrooms | 8/10 |
Can You Bring Guests Into Priority Pass Lounges?
Yes.
Most Priority Pass memberships allow guests, although additional guest charges usually apply. Guest fees vary depending on membership type. Usually just the same entrance fee for your guest. So one Priority Pass between two people can be quite a travel hack!
For couples and families, it can be worth comparing membership plans carefully before joining.
Is Priority Pass Worth It in the UK?
If you travel more than three or four times per year, Priority Pass often works out cheaper than paying for airport lounge access individually. That's particularly true at airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester where lounge entry can easily cost £40+ per visit.
For UK travellers, I believe Priority Pass offers some of the strongest value anywhere in Europe.
Major airports including:
Heathrow
Gatwick
Manchester
Birmingham
Edinburgh
all offer multiple Priority Pass lounge options. The more you travel, the easier it becomes to justify the cost. Particularly if you're regularly paying airport food and drink prices.
Priority Pass UK: My Experience
I've used Priority Pass extensively over the last few years across multiple countries, airlines and airports.
It's allowed me to access lounges while flying:
easyJet
British Airways
Qatar Airways
Emirates
Virgin Atlantic
Ryanair
TUI
and many others.
Some lounges have been outstanding.
Others have been average.
But I've rarely regretted having lounge access before a flight.
Want the full story?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is a membership programme that provides access to more than 1,800 airport lounges worldwide.
How does Priority Pass work?
Members present their digital or physical membership card at participating airport lounges to gain access.
What is the Priority Pass membership cost?
Costs vary depending on the membership plan selected. Standard, Standard Plus and Prestige memberships are available.
Is Priority Pass worth it?
For frequent travellers, yes. Particularly if you regularly use airport lounges.
Can Economy passengers use Priority Pass?
Yes. Priority Pass works regardless of airline or cabin class.
Is food free in airport lounges?
Most airport lounges include complimentary food and drinks as part of entry.
Can I bring a guest into a Priority Pass lounge?
Yes, although additional charges may apply depending on your membership.
Plane Tip: use the Priority Pass app to pre book your lounge visit.
Final Boarding Call
Airport lounges are no longer reserved for Business Class passengers and airline elites.
Thanks to Priority Pass, almost anyone can enjoy a more comfortable airport experience.
Whether you're looking for complimentary food, a quiet place to work, a pre-flight drink or simply somewhere to escape the terminal crowds, Priority Pass remains one of the easiest ways to gain airport lounge access in 2026.
After visiting lounges across Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin, Vienna, Rome and Doha, I'd happily choose an airport lounge over a crowded departure gate every single time.
Plane reads:
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 What Is Priority Pass? The Complete UK Guide to Airport Lounge Access (2026)
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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