There’s just something about an open bar and a warm buffet that makes all the common headaches of air travel a little easier to tolerate. According to the inaugural J.D. Power “U.S. Airport Lounge Benchmark,” that welcome respite has become such an important component of the air travel experience that nearly half (47 percent) of airport lounge customers now plan their route selections based on access to their preferred airport lounge and 82 percent say their choice of airline is influenced by lounge access.
“Airport lounges have become so popular that many airports are now starting to mimic their designs and layouts in their public terminal areas,” said Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power. “Lounges are clearly resonating with travelers, as expanded access through credit card perks and other non-status-related offers has fueled demand, bringing with it the unfortunate side effect of increased crowding. This is driving the demand for additional lounge space within airport terminals.”
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Luxury Travel Advisor.
