Last updated on February 23rd, 2026 at 04:08 pm
I’ve flown through Edinburgh Airport plenty of times, all of them on work trips. If you flying through Edinburgh and are working then this is for you as I am comparing the best Edinburgh Airport lounge for business travellers.
Working at Edinburgh Airport in the main part of the airport is quite hard. There are loads of annoying announcements for a start, which make concentrating difficult. This combined with uncomfortable seating means that a lounge is the best option if you want to get any work done during your airport visit.
But which of the 3 paid access lounges is best for working? I have visited and worked in all 3 so I am going to compare them all so you can find the best one for you.
As a business/working traveller I am always looking for a comfortable work area with space for my laptop, paperwork etc. Good WIFI is important but not as important as power sockets and a quieter space helps. There also needs to be good food and drink to keep me going when working too.
In this article I am going to go through the differences between each of the paid access lounges;
Table of Contents
Edinburgh Airport Executive Lounges – Quick Overview
Edinburgh Airport offers three paid-access lounges for business travellers – the Plaza Premium, Aspire, and Escape Lounge. Located near Gates 4 and 16, these lounges provide food, drinks, and comfortable seating regardless of airline or ticket class.
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Gate 16) is the largest lounge, featuring runway views, a quiet area, hot buffet service, and full bar. Open 4am-10pm daily, it’s ideal for business travellers needing workspace.
- Aspire Lounge (Gate 16) has runway views, a hot and cold buffet, and tended bar service. Premium food and cocktail upgrades available for additional fees. Open 4:30am-8pm (7pm Saturdays).
- Escape Lounge (Gate 4) has a hot and cold buffet, and varied seating including cocoon chairs. There are no runway views. Open 4am-10pm most days.
- Access options range from £32-£47 per visit when booking direct or through third parties. Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership gives access at £20.60 per visit (1 of 10 included visits)

- I’ve flown in and out of Edinburgh Airport over 70 times in the last 4 years so I know it quite well. I’ve also visited every pay as you go airport lounge. (There are affiliate links on my website – I only recommend things I use) Check out my About Me page and my Editorial Policy.
- Real reviews from someone who has actually visited.
Edinburgh Airport Lounge Comparison Business Travellers
| Lounge | Location | Opening Hours | Best For | Workspace Quality | Food & Drink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plaza Premium | Gate 16 | 4am to 10pm every day | Workspace Quiet Space | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Aspire Lounge | Gate 16 | 4.30am to 8pm apart from Saturday 4.30am to 7pm | Airport Views Large Worktable | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Escape Lounge | Gate 4 | Tuesday & Wednesday 4am to 9pm, 4am to 10pm every other day | Food Large Tables | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |

Business Traveller Edinburgh Airport
Plaza Premium Lounge Edinburgh Airport (Gate 16)
- Location Details: Near Gate 16 on the upper level. Take 3 flights of stairs or the lift up to the lounge. There is a WHSmith Newsagent at the entrance area.
- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- What I Love: The quiet area with runway views and a relaxing fireplace area for a cosy vibe (it’s an electric fireplace obvs!)
- Seating Available: Lounge chairs, sofas, tables and chairs, individual chairs, bar stools
- Amenities: 🍳 Breakfast & All Day Menu 🍷 Tended Bar 📶 WiFi ☕ Hot Drinks Machines ✈Runway Views 🔌 Power Sockets 🚾 In Lounge
- Price Range: £££
- Best For: Quiet space, working space and airport runway views
- This lounge is for you if: You want to enjoy a dedicated quiet area with airport runway views
Food and Drink
- The Plaza Premium has a hot buffet that runs all day. Once breakfast finishes there is generally a meat based hot dish and a vegetarian hot dish available.
- There are two hot drink stations that you help yourself
- The fully tended bar offers a variety of drinks, with Edinburgh Gin cocktails available for an extra charge.
Seating and Workspace
There is a mix of options for working including;
- Individual lounge type seats with power sockets
- Bar stool seating with high tables
- Tables and chairs throughout the lounge – not all have power sockets
WIFI
- In lounge WIFI is good enough for downloading things to watch or read on your flight and for working in the lounge
Opening Hours
- The lounge is open from 4am to 10pm every day.
- This lounge rebranded in December 2025 to become the Turkish Airlines lounge by Plaza Premium. This may affect access for Priority Pass guests in the future as the lounge is likely to give priority access to their airline customers.

Edinburgh Airport Workspace
Aspire Lounge Edinburgh (Gate 16)
- Location Details: Near Gate 16 on the upper level. Take 3 flights of stairs or the lift up to the lounge. There is a WHSmith Newsagent at the entrance area.
- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- What I Love: The large central table for working – plenty of sockets and good lighting and right beside the buffet
- Seating Available: Lots of tables for 2, some tables for 4, booths (for families), lounge seating
- Amenities: 🍳 Breakfast & All Day Menu 🍷 Tended Bar 📶 WiFi ☕ Hot Drinks Machines ✈Runway Views 🔌 Power Sockets 🚾 In Lounge
- Price Range: £££
- Best For: Large communal table to work at or smaller tables at the edge of the lounge (these have power sockets)
- This lounge is for you if: You want a prebookable lounge
Food and Drink
- The Plaza Premium has a hot and cold buffet that runs all day. Breakfast runs from opening until around midday and then the daytime menu runs. There is always a hot meat and a hot vegetarian/vegan dish available
- There are two hot drink stations that you help yourself
- The fully tended bar offers a variety of drinks
- There are drink and food offers available in the lounge such as a bottle of Prosecco and pizza for £22
Seating and Workspace
There is a mix of options for working including;
- Small booths. These are advertised as family booths as they have TV screens in them
- Tables for 2 – those along the walls of the lounge have power sockets
- Tables for 4 – those along the walls of the lounge have power sockets
- A large communal worktable with power sockets and lighting
WIFI
- In lounge WIFI is good enough for downloading things to watch or read on your flight and for working in the lounge
Opening Hours
- From 4.30am to 8pm apart from Saturday 4.30am to 7pm

Business Traveller Edinburgh Airport
Escape Lounge Edinburgh
- Location Details: Near Gate 4. It’s right next to the British Airways lounge.
- Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- What I Love: The calming colour scheme and the greenery in the lounge
- Seating Available: Lots of tables for 2, larger tables, sofa type seating, lounge seating
- Amenities: 🍳 Breakfast & All Day Menu 🍷 Tended Bar 📶 WiFi ☕ Hot Drinks Machines 🔌 Power Sockets
- Price Range: £££
- Best For: Finding a quiet corner and the best food
- This lounge is for you if: You want a lounge nearer gates 1-10 and you want a good meal
Food and Drink
- Hot and cold buffet with breakfast from opening and then the daytime menu with two hot dishes and a couple of sides available plus salads and snacks
- Hot drink station for self service drinks
- The fully tended bar offers a variety of drinks and help yourself bottled beers
Seating and Workspace
There is a mix of options for working including;
- Tables for 2 – those along the walls of the lounge have power sockets
- Tables for 4 – those along the walls of the lounge have power sockets
- Larger tables – those along walls have power sockets
- Lounge seats with power sockets in the arm area
- Individual cocoon seats with tiny tables – suitable for tablet but not a laptop
- Individual sofa seats with tiny tables – suitale for tablet but not a laptop
WIFI
- In lounge WIFI is good enough for downloading things to watch or read on your flight and for working in the lounge
Opening Hours
- Tuesday & Wednesday from 4am to 9pm and 4am to 10pm every other day.
Edinburgh Business Lounge Quick Decision Helper
Here is a quick decision helper to help you find the right lounge for you.
| Best For | Airport Lounge |
|---|---|
| Gates 1-10 | Escape Lounge |
| Gates 11 and Over | Aspire or Plaza Premium Lounges |
| Runway Views | Aspire Lounge or Plaza Premium |
| Quiet Space | Plaza Premium |
| Food Quality | Escape Lounge |
| Workspace | Plaza Premium |
How to Access Edinburgh Airport Business Lounges With Entry Costs
There are several ways you might want to access Edinburgh airport lounges.
Book Direct
Book directly with each lounge operator
- Escape Lounge Edinburgh – £38.99 for 2 hours
- Aspire Lounge Edinburgh – £46.99 for 3 hours
- Plaza Premium Edinburgh – £40.50 for 2 hours
Book Through Edinburgh Airport
- Aspire Lounge – £43.99 for 3 hour stay
- Plaza Premium – £44 for a 3 hour stay and £40 for a 2 hour stay
Book Through a Third Party
LoungePair
- Plaza Premium – 3 hour refundable pass (can refund if not used or plans change) £34
- Aspire Lounge – 3 hour refundable pass (can refund if not used or plans change) £34
- Escape Lounge – 3 hour refundable pass (can refund if not used or plans change) £32
Airport Lounge Membership
Priority Pass
Priority Pass offers 3 levels of membership as follows;
- Standard Membership – usually £69 but available to you today for £48. All lounge visits £24
- Standard Plus Membership – usually £229 but available to you today for £206. Includes 10 member lounge visits, with extra member visits £24
- Prestige Membership – £419 with unlimited member lounge visits.
Whether you’re connecting to a domestic flight or heading abroad, having reliable lounge access means you can work, relax, or prepare for meetings in peace. If you want predictable access across flights, here’s how to get Priority Pass so you don’t need to book pay-as-you-go entry every time
Quick Business Lounge Cost Comparison
- On a visit to Edinburgh Airport I checked the costs of eating in the airport. If I went to Wetherspoons and had their cheapest main meal with a beer the cost would be £15.00. Compare that to using one of my Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership included visits which works out to £20.60 for each visit.
- That means I get a much better environment for working and relaxing, with faster WIFI, unlimited hot and cold food and unlimited drinks (within safe flying limites) for only £5.60 extra. That makes Priority Pass great value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Work Effectively From Edinburgh Airport Lounges?
You can work effectively from all 3 airport lounges, although I would recommend a pair of noise cancelling headphones if you can’t deal with background noise. The Plaza Premium has a dedicated quiet area which makes working easier.
What’s The Best Lounge for Early Morning Flights?
The Plaza Premium and Escape Lounges open at 4am and the Aspire Lounge opens at 4.30am so all of them are suitable for early morning flights. You can prebook the Escape Lounge and the Aspire Lounge to guarantee your entry during peak times.
Can I Access Lounges With Priority Pass?
You can access all three lounges with Priority Pass membership. The Plaza Premium has just (December 2025) been renamed the Turkish Airlines Lounge by Plaza Premium. This may affect access to Priority Pass members.
Edinburgh Airport Lounges – Final Verdict
- All of the Edinburgh airport paid entry lounges are suitable for working in.
- The Aspire and the Escape Lounge are pre-bookable which guarantees entry at peak periods.
- The Plaza Premium offers the best working options with quiet space, runway views, tables and high bar stools with a high table. This is not prebookable though.
- The Escape Lounge is the best option for working if you want to prebook. It is best for flights from gates 1-10, otherwise it can be quite a long walk to the other end of the terminal building.
- If you plan to use airport lounges regularly then a Standard Plus Priority Pass membership is great value at only £20.60 per lounge visit for 10 included member visits. Why not get yours now and give yourself a treat?
Related Edinburgh Airport Resources
- My Guide to the Best Edinburgh Airport Lounge for Nervous Flyers
- My Comparison of All the Edinburgh Airport Lounges
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