A business class ticket usually includes airport lounge access, and some allow you to bring a guest. Premium economy usually does not include lounge access, though a few airlines are exceptions. Rules change by airline and by cabin, so this guide sets out where each one stands.

The gap between these two cabins catches a lot of travellers out. Premium economy sits one step below business, so it is easy to assume the lounge comes with it. For most airlines, it doesn't. That assumption can leave you paying for food and drink in a crowded terminal when you thought it was covered.

This guide walks through the main airlines one by one, business class first, then premium economy, and shows which cabin opens the lounge door and which does not. It also covers British Airways lounges at UK and regional airports, and what to do when your ticket leaves you out.

Do You Get Lounge Access with Business or Premium Economy?

Business class lounge access, by airline

Business class is a cabin which almost always includes lounge access. Book business on a major airline and you can expect lounge access on the day, usually from around three hours before departure. The lounge is part of the fare, so you won't pay anything extra. Here is how the main airlines compare.

British Airways gives lounge access to Club World and Club Europe passengers, its long-haul and short-haul business cabins. British Airways has business lounges at Heathrow, Gatwick and other locations, and a First ticket goes one step further, giving you access to British Airways First lounges. British Airways has lounges at over 20 locations worldwide, plus more than 140 partner lounges.

Virgin Atlantic gives Upper Class passengers access to its Clubhouses, with one guest travelling on the same flight. The Clubhouses are at Heathrow, Los Angeles, New York JFK, San Francisco, Washington and Johannesburg. Where there is no Clubhouse, Virgin uses partner lounges instead, including Manchester and Edinburgh in the UK. Most lounges open three hours before departure.

Emirates gives Business Class passengers complimentary access to Emirates lounges at over 30 airports worldwide. First Class passengers get the same. Access starts three hours before departure, and local licensing rules may limit entry for younger passengers.

Qatar Airways gives Business Class passengers access to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha, including the newer Al Mourjan Garden, while First Class passengers use the Al Safwa First Lounge. Qatar Airways also runs separate arrival lounges for First and Business Class travellers.

Aer Lingus gives Business Class passengers lounge access on Aer Lingus-operated flights. This covers the Aer Lingus lounges in Dublin, London Heathrow and New York, the Revival arrivals lounge in Dublin, and partner lounges such as the American Airlines Flagship and Admirals Club lounges in the United States. You present your boarding card at the lounge desk.

Note that Jet2 and TUI do not sell a business class cabin. Jet2 has a single economy cabin, while TUI offers a premium long-haul cabin. More on that in the next section.

Premium economy lounge access, by airline

Premium economy is a tricky ticket type for lounges. For most airlines, a premium economy ticket does not include lounge access. The cabin gives you a wider seat, extra legroom and a better meal on board, but lounge access is mostly reserved for Business and First. There are several exceptions, so check your airline before you travel.

British Airways does not include departure lounge access with World Traveller Plus, its premium economy cabin. You get the improved seat and service on board, without the lounge.

Virgin Atlantic works the same way. Its Premium cabin does not include Clubhouse access. The Clubhouses are reserved for Upper Class passengers.

Emirates does not include lounge access with Premium Economy. Emirates lounges are complimentary for First and Business Class passengers, plus Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members.

Qatar Airways does not sell a premium economy cabin altogether. Its cabins are Economy, Business and First.

Aer Lingus has no premium economy cabin either. It does sell a premium seat called AerSpace on European routes, but this one is different. AerSpace fares include lounge access when travelling within Europe, at the Aer Lingus lounges in Ireland and London Heathrow, and at European airports where available.

TUI is the exception. Travel in TUI Premium on a TUI Airways flight and lounge access is included at UK airports. You can use one of the listed lounges up to three hours before your outbound flight. The airports include Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, East Midlands, Stansted, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol and Belfast, along with Orlando Melbourne International Airport in Florida. This applies to the outbound flight only, so the return leg is not covered.

Jet2 flies a single economy cabin with no premium economy option, and no fare includes a lounge. Lounge access at a Jet2 airport is something you buy separately.

On the big long-haul airlines, premium economy leaves you outside the lounge. On some leisure and short-haul products, like TUI Premium and Aer Lingus AerSpace, the lounge is included. Always check the cabin name and the airline, because the rules differ across the board.

British Airways lounges: London City, Glasgow and regional airports

British Airways concentrates its own lounges at its main hubs. The largest sit at London Heathrow and Gatwick, home to the main British Airways business lounges, and at Heathrow the First lounges and the Concorde Room for eligible passengers. There are over 20 locations worldwide, plus more than 140 partner lounges. You won't typically find BA lounges at smaller and regional airports. Here is how that plays out at the major airports.

London City Airport has no British Airways lounge. It has no lounge at all. The airport is building a brand-new lounge space, which it expects to open by early 2027 and to be open to all passengers. Until then, there is no lounge to use at London City.

Glasgow Airport does have a British Airways lounge. It is located on the first floor of the Central Pier and opens to eligible British Airways customers in the usual business and First cabins and higher tiers. If your ticket does not include a lounge, Glasgow also has pay-to-enter lounges you can book in advance. The UpperDeck Lounge, open daily from 05:00 to 20:30, can be booked through Enjoy Travel from around £34 for one guest, with free cancellation. The Lomond Lounge is available too.

Faro Airport has no British Airways lounge. It has one lounge, the ANA Lounge, run by the airport operator. Any passenger can use it on payment of the entry fee, and travellers with some airlines and clubs get in free or at a discount.

Beyond its hubs and a handful of airports such as Glasgow, British Airways relies mainly on partner and independent lounges. If you fly British Airways from a smaller airport, check whether a British Airways lounge exists there before you count on it. Where there is no British Airways lounge, an independent pay-in lounge is often available, and you can book one in advance.

Cabin class and lounge access: the quick comparison

If your cabin class doesn't include access, here is what to do

If your ticket does not include lounge access, you still have a simple way in. You can book lounge access on its own, for the airport and date you are flying, with no business class seat required. This is the route most economy and premium economy passengers take.

Booking ahead is straightforward. You choose your airport and terminal, pay a set fee, and arrive with your place already secured. Prices at UK airports typically start from around £30 to £40 for one adult, with children at a lower rate. You get the same seating, food, drinks and Wi-Fi that a premium cabin lounge offers, for a fraction of the cost of upgrading your ticket.

You can book lounge access without a business-class ticket in a few minutes, or browse lounges across the country on our UK airport lounges page.

For a full run-through of every way into a lounge, see How to Get Airport Lounge Access: All Six Routes Compared. And if you want to focus on the options that cost nothing, see [Free Airport Lounge Access: Seven Routes That Actually Work].

Frequently asked questions

Is there a BA lounge at London City Airport?

No. British Airways does not have a lounge at London City Airport, and the airport has no lounge of any kind at the moment. London City is building a new lounge, which it expects to open by early 2027 and to be open to all passengers. Until then, no lounge is available there, whatever cabin you fly.

Is the BA lounge at Glasgow Airport open?

Yes. British Airways has a lounge at Glasgow Airport, on the first floor of the Central Pier. It is open to eligible British Airways customers travelling in business or First, and to higher-tier members. If your ticket does not include a lounge, Glasgow also has pay-to-enter lounges you can book in advance, including the UpperDeck Lounge through Enjoy Travel from around £34 for one guest, with free cancellation.

Does Faro Airport have a BA lounge?

No. British Airways does not have a lounge at Faro Airport. Faro has one lounge, the ANA Lounge, run by the airport operator. Any passenger can use it on payment of the entry fee, and travellers with some airlines or club memberships get in free or at a discount.

Does premium economy get lounge access?

Usually no. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates all keep the lounge for business and First, so their premium economy cabins miss out. There are exceptions. TUI Premium includes UK lounge access on the outbound flight, and Aer Lingus AerSpace includes it within Europe.

Does a business class ticket always include a lounge?

Almost always. On the major airlines, a business class ticket includes lounge access on the day, usually from around three hours before departure. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Aer Lingus all give their business cabins lounge access, and First tickets open the higher First lounges.

Can I use a lounge if I fly economy or premium economy?

Yes. You do not need a premium ticket to use a lounge. You can book lounge access on its own for your airport and date, pay a set fee, and walk in with your place secured. This is the easiest option for economy and premium economy passengers.

Do Emirates Premium Economy passengers get lounge access?

No. Emirates lounges are complimentary for First Class and Business Class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members. A Premium Economy ticket does not include lounge access on its own. Emirates does offer paid lounge access at some airports, which you arrange separately.

Does TUI Premium include lounge access?

Yes, in the UK. Travel in TUI Premium on a TUI Airways flight and you can use one of the listed airport lounges up to three hours before your outbound flight. The airports include Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol. The access covers the outbound flight only, so the return leg is not included.