Airport lounges are big business, with Delta Sky Clubs serving more than 30m. guests annually

DUBLIN, IRELAND & SHOREWOOD, WISCONSIN – The pandemic unleashed consumer craving for amenities to relieve the little miseries that can accompany travel today. Airport lounges have become a hugely popular answer. Today, lounge operators are the beneficiaries of hordes of travelers seeking premium experiences- so much so that overcrowding is a thorny issue, with social media documenting long lines in airport concourses. This is partly because higher fee co-branded credit cards now feature lounge access. Airlines are understandably excited by the revenue stream provided by these upscale sanctuaries, and new lounges are appearing in airports around the world.

CarTrawler sponsored report describes how lounges are a “must have” amenity for millions of travelers and for millions in airline revenues.

Airport Lounges Are the Hottest Ticket was issued by IdeaWorksCompany as an 18-page report to describe the economics of lounges and consumer fascination with these airport retreats. The following are key findings from the report:

Co-branded credit cards contribute 40% of guests for airline-operated lounges in the US, with just 5% of guests purchasing single visit passes.
Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance together offer access to more than 2,300 lounges worldwide.
Delta’s Sky Clubs likely generated more than $772 million for the airline in 2023.
Capital One, which is set to add 300 million customers with its purchase of Discover Card, operates 50+ Capital One Cafes in urban settings, and airport lounges at Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, and Washington Dulles.

Aileen McCormack, Chief Commercial Officer at CarTrawler, commented on the report; “We know that travellers are increasingly focused on comfort and convenience, turning to airport lounges for a relaxing escape from the fast-paced world of modern travel. It’s becoming more common for our airline partners to offer lounge access as part of their loyalty programmes, highlighting the importance of these programmes in shaping consumer choices.

“Beyond lounge access, these loyalty programmes also offer perks like room upgrades and car rentals, making them popular with travellers looking for practical and beneficial experiences.

“As the travel industry evolves to meet changing consumer demands, CarTrawler remains committed to collaborating with global airlines and car rental suppliers to develop innovative offers that resonate with users, including the ability to seamlessly pay for car rentals using loyalty points.”

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The article Airport lounges are big business, with Delta Sky Clubs serving more than 30m. guests annually first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.