Revealed: The best airport lounges in the world

The world’s best airport lounges have just been named by Skytrax, and the Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York LaGuardia has been crowned number one.

Announced at the 2026 World Airline Awards, the new ranking was based on votes from travellers across the globe.

The passenger satisfaction survey covers things like facilities and staff hospitality and led to a ranking of the top 20 airport lounges.

In Europe, the best airport lounge is the Plaza Premium at Rome Fiumicino Airport, which came out second overall.

Just two European spots made the top 10, with the other being another Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4.

Elsewhere in the top 20 is Vienna Lounge at, you guessed it, Vienna International Airport (12th), iGA Lounge at Istanbul Airport (17th) and Airport Lounge World at Munich International Airport’s Terminal 1.

Plaza Premium Group, which has three lounges in the top 20 (the third being at Dubai International), was also named the world’s best airport lounge group.

“Being named world’s best airport lounge group for a tenth consecutive year is an incredible honour,” Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, said.

“When we pioneered the concept of the independent airport lounge 28 years ago, our dream was to change how people experience airport transit.

“This award is far more than a trophy, it reflects the trust our travellers place in us and the dedication our teams bring to their work every single day.”

The world’s 20 best independent airport lounges 2026

• 1. Chase Sapphire Lounge – LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• 2. Plaza Premium – Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
• 3. Chase Sapphire Lounge – Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• 4. Plaza Premium – London Heathrow Airport (LHR) T4
• 5. Capital One – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• 6. American Express Centurion – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• 7. Coral Cosmo Lounge – Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
• 8. The Pearl – Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
• 9. Primeclass Lounge – Muscat International Airport (MCT)
• 10. Plaza Premium – Dubai International (DXB)
• 11. American Express Centurion – LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• 12. Vienna Lounge – Vienna International Airport (VIE)
• 13. Capital One – Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• 14. Chase Sapphire Lounge – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• 15. 080 Lounge – Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) T2
• 16. Plaza Premium First – Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• 17 iGA Lounge – Istanbul Airport (IST)
• 18. Airport Lounge World – Munich Airport (MUC) T1
• 19. America Express Centurion – Haneda Airport (HND)
• 20. Strata Lounge – Auckland Airport (AKL)

The world’s best independent airport lounge groups

• 1. Plaza Premium Group
• 2. TAV Primeclass
• 3. Chase Sapphire Lounges
• 4. Capital One Lounges
• 5. Coral Lounge Group
• 6. American Express Centurion Lounges
• 7. Aspire Lounges
• 8. Escape Lounges
• 9. Araya Lounges
• 10. CATRION Lounges