Marble Bathrooms & Michelin-Starred Menus: Why Airport Lounges Are Suddenly So Luxe

The New Era of Airport Lounges

Once upon a time, airport lounges were simple waiting rooms—functional, plain, and often resembling office break spaces. Their main attraction was free coffee, a few snacks, and a quieter place to wait before boarding. But today, the global traveler expects more. With marble bathrooms, spa treatments, curated menus, and interiors rivaling five-star hotels, airport lounges have entered a golden age.

Flying commercial is starting to feel like stepping into a private jet experience, and airlines, credit card companies, and boutique operators are racing to create luxury spaces that transform the stress of flying into a moment of indulgence.

A Look Back: The World’s First Airport Lounge

The first airport lounge opened in 1939 at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport. Known as the American Airlines Admiral’s Club, it was tucked away in then-mayor Fiorello La Guardia’s unused office space. At the time, access was by invitation only, and the design leaned heavily on business-oriented functionality.

While it set the stage for decades of airline loyalty perks, the style reflected its era: conservative, office-like, and practical. Today, the demands of travelers—especially leisure travelers—have completely reshaped what a lounge should be.

Why Travelers Want Luxury at the Airport

The rise of luxury travel and the influence of social media have made travelers more vocal about their needs. Long gone are the days when a reclining chair and a few snacks were enough.

Now, travelers want:

• Spa-like bathrooms with marble finishes and rainfall showers.

• Michelin-starred dining menus that reflect global cuisines.

• Private suites for working, resting, or family use.

• Curated art and design that feels like a five-star residence.

• Personalized services like shoe shining, massage, or concierge booking.

For many, the lounge is no longer just a waiting room—it’s an essential part of the travel experience.

Designers Bringing Hotels Into the Airport

Airlines and credit card companies are hiring top-tier interior designers to make lounges stand out.

For example, Jean Liu, a member of the ELLE Decor A-List, worked with PS, a luxury terminal operator that began in 2018. Her Dallas terminal project included suites with unique palettes, trim details, and curated art collections that resemble private residences rather than public waiting spaces.

Meanwhile, JPMorganChase partnered with design firm ICRAVE to craft its Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia. Inspired by international design fairs like Salone del Mobile, the space features furnishings from Italian luxury brands like Minotti and Poliform. The result is a lounge that feels like an upscale boutique hotel lobby—curated, stylish, and practical for high-traffic needs.

The Rise of Experiential Lounges

Lounges today don’t just look better—they provide experiences rivaling resorts and spas.

• Delta’s Delta One Lounge at JFK is nearly 40,000 square feet, with marble-clad shower suites, a brasserie with 140 seats, valet shoe-shining, and dedicated nap rooms outfitted with Missoni bedding.

• American Express Centurion Lounges add local touches to reflect each city, from Japanese sweets bars in Tokyo to regional whiskey selections in Atlanta.

• Aero’s luxury terminals focus on creating serene club-like environments, offering champagne, private bars, and grab-and-go snacks in collaboration with high-end grocers like Erewhon.

Each of these spaces focuses on comfort, exclusivity, and personalization—ensuring passengers feel valued before they even step on board.

Food and Drink: From Snacks to Michelin Inspiration

One of the most visible shifts in modern airport lounges is the emphasis on food. Gone are the days of simple buffets and sandwiches. Now, lounges feature menus curated by celebrity chefs or inspired by local cuisine.

Travelers can expect:

• Restaurant-style dining rooms with table service.

• Michelin-level dishes featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients.

• Specialty cocktail bars with local spirits or wine pairings.

• Grab-and-go counters with organic and gourmet options.

For example, the Delta One Lounge includes a brasserie offering fine dining, while AmEx lounges adapt to each city, ensuring menus feel authentic and distinctive. These dining upgrades elevate lounges from waiting areas into destinations of their own.

Design Challenges of Luxury Lounges

Creating a luxury airport lounge isn’t easy. Designers and operators face unique challenges:

1. High foot traffic: Spaces must withstand thousands of travelers each day.

2. Luggage storage: Furniture layouts must account for carry-ons and larger bags.

3. Fire safety regulations: Materials must balance beauty with compliance.

4. Security flow: Entrances and exits must prevent crowding and ensure clear pathways.

5. Durability: Surfaces like marble, wood, and textiles must resist spills and wear while still feeling premium.

Despite these challenges, designers manage to balance style and functionality, proving that even practical spaces can feel luxurious.

Credit Cards and the Lounge Wars

Credit card companies are also major players in the luxury lounge boom. Access to these spaces has become a status symbol for travelers. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or AmEx Platinum are no longer just about points—they’re about exclusive lounge access that transforms how people experience airports.

With lounges designed by world-class firms and offering perks once limited to premium airline tickets, credit card companies are reshaping what it means to travel with style.

The Private Jet Effect

Perhaps the biggest influence behind today’s luxury lounges is the private jet experience. Leisure travelers want to feel pampered, and airlines know they must deliver.

Boutique operators like PS or Aero are taking cues directly from private aviation: personalized suites, champagne on arrival, and seamless car-to-lounge transitions. In many cases, lounges are now destinations themselves—spaces where travelers arrive early not just for convenience, but to relax, dine, and enjoy.

Future of Airport Lounges: What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the evolution of luxury airport lounges shows no sign of slowing. Expect to see:

• Wellness lounges with meditation pods, yoga spaces, and spa treatments.

• Sustainability-driven design, using recycled materials and energy-efficient systems.

• Technology integration, like AI-powered concierge systems and app-controlled privacy pods.

• Personalization, where frequent fliers receive customized food, drink, or even music based on past visits.

The lounge of the future won’t just be a waiting space—it will be an integral part of the travel journey, blending design, technology, and hospitality into a seamless experience.

Conclusion: A New Standard in Travel

From its modest beginnings in 1939 to today’s marble bathrooms and Michelin-inspired menus, the airport lounge has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a perk for business travelers has now become a luxury experience for all kinds of passengers—from families to solo adventurers.

With airlines, credit card companies, and boutique operators all competing to offer the best lounges, travelers are entering a golden age of comfort and indulgence. Whether enjoying a spa session before boarding or savoring a chef-curated meal, one thing is clear: the modern airport lounge is no longer just about waiting—it’s about arriving in style before you even take off.