"Once you're privy to the airport lounge underworld, it's hard to go back to waiting by the general boarding area. But getting past the pearly gates is no longer as easy as it once was, thanks to increasingly high credit card fees and loyalty status requirements-all the more reason to ensure your lounge network of choice is actually worth the effort."
"In the US, travelers have more options to lounge than ever. Since the start of 2025, there's been a slew of new openings from credit card companies and airlines alike, including the splashy debut of first-ever Delta One lounge at JFK. The airport lounge boom shows no signs of slowing: JetBlue's first-ever lounge is expected to open in New York City this winter, and Alaska Airlines recently announced a significant lounge expansion plan touching several of its West Coast hubs."
"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,"
Airport lounges in the US expanded significantly in 2025 with new openings from credit card companies and airlines, including the first Delta One lounge at JFK, JetBlue's upcoming New York lounge, and Alaska Airlines' West Coast expansion plan. Expanded access through credit card perks and non-status offers has increased demand and produced more crowding, creating pressure for additional terminal lounge space. J.D. Power released its annual ranking of US airport lounges based on responses from 1,430 travelers who visited lounges, with data collected between September and October. The ranking weights eight segments: experience value, staff, food and beverage, cleanliness, amenities, convenience of access, ambiance, and Wi-Fi.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
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