More than one in four Australian travellers still use airport lounges when they fly – but quiet, comfortable seating is now the biggest drawcard over free food and drink perks.
Some 26 per cent of Aussie flyers continue to use airport lounges despite criticism that they have become overcrowded and less generous over the years, while other surveys point to frequent flyer points accrual fatigue.
New Money.com.au research found 17 per cent access lounges through rewards credit cards or frequent flyer memberships, such as Qantas Frequent Flyer or Virgin Australia’s Velocity loyalty programs, while nine per cent pay their own way via a single-use pass or annual membership.
The findings point to travellers becoming more selective about how they access airport lounges, rather than abandoning the perk altogether.
What travellers value most in a lounge now
Comfortable seating and quiet spaces (67 per cent) have overtaken complimentary food and drinks (61 per cent) as the top reason travellers rate airport lounges. Access to Wi-Fi, showers and other amenities followed at 45 per cent.
Money.com.au Head of Insights Sean Callery said Aussies still see value in lounges, but on their own terms.
“Airport lounges have attracted growing criticism in recent years for becoming overcrowded and offering less than they once did. But despite that, they still offer something travellers value: a comfortable space away from the chaos of main terminals, with complimentary refreshments and a few extra bells and whistles,” he said.
“Australians are almost twice as likely to access airport lounges through bundled travel perks on their credit card or frequent flyer program than by paying for entry.
“The value comes from having lounge access included as part of a broader package, rather than paying an additional lounge entry fee each time they fly,” he said.
Younger flyers are reviving the lounge
The generational split is clear. Two in five Millennials (41 per cent) use airport lounges when they travel, followed by 37 per cent of Gen Z. By comparison, just 23 per cent of Gen X and 15 per cent of Baby Boomers still do.
Gen Z are the generation most willing to pay outright for lounge access with 20 per cent buying a single-entry pass or annual membership, ahead of Millennials at 16 per cent.
Millennials remain the biggest users of bundled access through rewards credit cards or frequent flyer memberships (25 per cent), followed by Gen Z (17 per cent).
“Premium travel experiences have become part of the travel culture for many younger Australians and airport lounges add to the overall experience both online and offline,” Callery said.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The airport lounge remains a selling point, but the appetite has shifted from free canapes to calm and comfort, and it skews young. With Millennials and Gen Z the heaviest users and most open to paying, lounge access is worth flagging in premium fares, credit card-linked packages and long-haul itineraries where a quiet space before a big flight is important to the client.
