DUBAI – : Travellers are taking to the skies again, with the Middle Eastern air traffic rising by 246.5% in June 2022, but today’s travellers are diverse and resourceful, and they expect travel providers to offer personalised and meaningful experiences. Over the last few years, a traveller’s journey has evolved, with lounge access becoming a crucial aspect. For the past 30 years, Priority Pass, the original and market-leading airport lounge and travel experiences programme, and LoungeKey – a Collinson proposition designed specifically for payment cards, has been offering services worldwide, including retail, dining and spa. Priority Pass also celebrated its 30th birthday this year, commemorating three decades of traveler trust. For the past 30 years, the Collinson-owned program has provided members with access to airport lounges around the world, including the ability to visit lounges with economy or premium economy class tickets, and it is committed to improving the experience for the next 30 years.
According to Collinson’s research, airport lounge usage is exceptionally high in the region, with 98% of travellers in KSA and 95% in the UAE having used airport lounges in the previous year. Collinson’s most recent study of its members revealed that airport lounge access is second only to vaccinations in terms of increasing travel confidence. Given the region’s high volume of business and leisure travellers, it’s no surprise that Priority Pass and LoungeKey have some of the best lounges in the Middle East. These lounges promise to create meaningful experiences while leaving a positive impact, with everything from high-speed internet connectivity and shower facilities to a private cinema. Here are a few of the best:
1. Marhaba Lounge, Dubai International Airport-Terminal 3
Marhaba Lounge, for both business and leisure travellers in the UAE, offers travellers unique Arabian hospitality. Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport has three exquisite Marhaba lounges, one on each concourse. Travellers can savour the diverse culinary offerings while enjoying an incredible front-row view of the runway and surfing the internet via high-speed WiFi. The dedicated lounge staff will ensure travellers have a memorable and convenient experience.
2. Al Maha Lounge, Hamad International Airport-Doha
The Al Maha Lounge at Doha’s Hamad International Airport combines delectable international cuisine with a cutting-edge business centre. Visitors flying into or out of Qatar can sample the fresh deli-style food, which includes a variety of delicious wraps, sandwiches, and juices, while also taking advantage of the high-speed WiFi, television area, and excellent reading materials. Lounge users can also use the shower facilities to freshen up after a long and exhausting journey.
3. Wellcome Lounge, King Khalid International Airport-Riyadh
Have a long layover in Riyadh? The Wellcome lounge has got you covered! Travellers can enhance their airport experience by visiting the check-in lounge and experiencing outstanding hospitality. This 24-hour lounge is open to all passengers, including those flying Economy Class, and is located in Terminals 1 and 2. Users of the lounge can enjoy the delicious food and beverages while catching up on their favourite series or movies via high-speed wireless internet access. There is also a children’s play area and magazines for the younger travellers. Visitors can relax at spas or rent a day bed for a quick nap.
4. Primeclass Lounge, Muscat International Airport-Muscat
Travellers can enjoy the massive 33,000-square-foot lounge, one of the most beautifully designed lounges in the Priority Pass network was crowned the Lounge of the Year in 2020 across the Middle East and Africa. The Primeclass Lounge, one of the best in the region, includes a nap area, a children’s room and a large buffet area. Travelling cinephiles can catch up on the latest films at the lounge’s private cinema. The lounge also has the region’s only games room, and travellers can complete on the latest Playstation consoles, to make those long journeys more exciting. It also has several private bedrooms available for free to guests who spend more than three hours in the lounge.
5. Ahlein – Premium Lounge, Beirut International Airport
Customers flying from Lebanon can relax in the Ahlein – Premium Lounge at Beirut International Airport. Customers can escape the hustle and bustle of Beirut International Airport and enjoy various amenities designed to make their journey more comfortable, such as complimentary WiFi, food and beverages, and a separate smoking room.
Priority Pass believes in providing its members with premium, digitally enabled travel experiences to improve their overall travel experience. These airport lounges turn the customer journey from a long and exhausting process into a moment of indulgence. Future Middle Eastern travellers can enjoy these airport lounges’ peace, comfort, and premium experiences by joining the ever-expanding Priority Pass network.