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By Dianne Apen-Sadler
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Airports are a bit like marmite: You either love them or hate them.
There are certainly plenty of negatives. Travelling in general is exhausting, food and drink prices are extortionate, and the thought of missing your flight is anxiety-inducing.
In recent years, airports vying to be named number one in the world have been doing their best to improve the experience, giving those passing through something to do other than palming through a guidebook or scrolling TikTok.
While some have turned to luxury shopping offerings, or adding enough paintings and sculptures to rival an art gallery, for many the priority has been perfecting the airport lounge.
Much more than just unlimited drinks and slightly nicer toilets, airport lounges across the globe have been upgrading their spaces to become destinations in and of themselves.
Here are some of the most unique airport lounge experiences around the world.
A pre-flight sauna session in Helsinki
Finnair passengers flying out of Helsinki Airport can embrace local culture with a pre-flight sauna in the Finnair Platinum Wing.
Only open to Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members in the non-Schengen area, guests can sweat it out before making use of the lounge’s private shower suites.
Feeling thoroughly refreshed before a flight, tuck into a reindeer burger to complete the Nordic experience.
Sweat it out at Bologna Airport’s gym
For those who prefer to work up a sweat by working out, Bologna Airport has a gym for business lounge guests to use.
Complete with treadmills, machines and free weights, the lounge also features a buffet where you can fuel your workout.
Browse the instant noodle library at Incheon Airport
Set-jetting is a huge trend for 2026, but K-drama fans won’t even have to leave the airport to experience convenience store ramyeon – a storytelling staple – thanks to Korean Air.
Last month, the flag carrier unveiled a self-service ramyeon library in the business class lounge at Incheon Airport.
Simply choose your favourite noodles, pick your toppings, add hot water and you’re ready to go.
Kick it Gen Z style at Bengaluru Airport
Another new opening, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India, unveiled Gate Z, a Gen Z inspired airport lounge, in late January.
Meant to feel less like a waiting space and more like somewhere to socialise, the lounge has a cafe-slash-bar, a retro-inspired subway diner, and an ‘amphizone’ that will host screenings and pop-ups.
Don’t worry, there will be no age checks at the door – Gen Z is apparently just a state of mind.
Dig into dishes with Michelin-cred at Hamad International Airport’s Louis Vuitton Lounge
Doha’s Hamad International Airport launched its luxury fashion avenue Viale di Lusso in 2021, but two years later it took things up a notch by opening the world’s first-ever Louis Vuitton Lounge.
With an á la carte menu created by chef Yannick Alléno, whose restaurants include the three Michelin-starred Pavillon Ledoyen, this is not your typical airport food.
Qatar Airways passengers in first and business class, Privilege Club platinum and gold members, and invited VIP Louis Vuitton customers will enjoy dishes that “highlight local ingredients, French favourites, and international fare”.
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