Overview
- Which? anonymously inspected 28 pay-to-enter lounges across the UK and found only a third achieved at least three stars.
- Average entry cost was £42, a 68% rise since 2017, as extras such as spas and free showers have largely been stripped back or charged as add‑ons.
- Heathrow Terminal 5’s Club Aspire received the lowest rating with one star, with inspectors citing dirty plates, crumbs on the floor and poor breakfast quality.
- Newcastle Airport’s Suite by Aspire was the most expensive at £68 yet scored 2.5 stars, with promised perks not delivered and the operator apologising for the reviewer’s experience.
- Top performers were the Clubrooms lounges at Gatwick South and Birmingham with 3.5 stars, and Which? urged travellers to seek discounted access—since direct booking was not the cheapest—or consider airport bars and restaurants instead.