Are you a fan of airport lounges? Or increasingly frustrated with how crowded – and expensive – they’ve become?
Love ’em or hate ’em; the results of JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Airport Lounge Satisfaction may be of interest.
The report ranked airport lounges in the United States using eight criteria.
In order of importance, lounge users were asked about: the value of experience; staff and food and beverage. They were also asked about lounge cleanliness/upkeep, amenities, ease of accessing the lounge, ambiance and Wi-Fi service.
According to the report, 39% travelers now turn to airport lounges as a respite from high-priced food and beverage options in the airport terminal.
45% of travelers say they use the lounges to escape the crowds in the terminal.
“The airport lounge has become an oasis for travelers,” said Andrea Stokes, hospitality practice lead at JD Power. “But but that oasis can sometimes become a mirage when lounges are overcrowded and people need to wait in line to gain access,” she added.
And, once in the lounge, many travelers find that the food and beverage offerings don’t always live up to expectations.
In terms of specific lounge brand rankings, the American Express Centurion Lounge and the Capital One Lounge ranked highest.
Each had a score of 771 on a 1,000 point scale.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, ranks third, with a score of 764 (on a 1,000 point scale).
Here’s the full listing.
The 2026 study is based on responses gathered from 2,991 travelers who visited a U.S. airport lounge in the past year.
