Skip to content

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

If you have ever asked ‘Are priority pass lounges usually crowded’ this article is for you.

We will look at when you might be denied access to a lounge, as well as other options to consider.

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

The huge number of lounges included in the Priority Pass membership gives members flexibility. That includes the flexibility to choose from several lounges at busier airports. This reduces the chance of being denied access due to the lounge being too busy.

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Do Airport Lounges Get Crowded?

Every airport lounge will have a limit on the number of people they can accommodate at any one time. After all, there are a limited number of seats in each lounge for starters!

That means that whilst lounges might be busy they don’t usually feel crowded.

The only time I experienced crowding in an airport lounge was when I watched an England World Cup football match on the big screen in the lounge. It was crowded because most of the people in the lounge were in one spot, watching the match together!

Lounges will have a mix of guests. Many of these will be pre-booked so they know the numbers in advance. Other guests will be members of an airport lounge membership scheme such as Priority Pass. These guests are able to access lounges only if there is spare capacity in the lounge.

The whole point of airport lounges is that they give guests a good experience. That experience needs to be something different to the main airport.

That means guests expect a certain level of comfort, space, and facilities. If airport lounges were ever to get crowded then it wouldn’t be a pleasant place to be in.

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Priority Pass Lounge Access

The first thing to say is that Priority Pass doesn’t actually own or operate airport lounges. Priority Pass is a membership scheme that gives members access to airport lounges that are run by lounge operators.

Examples include the Aspire Lounge network in Europe and the UK and the No.1 Lounge network. These are lounge-operating companies that let Priority Pass members access their lounges using their Priority Pass membership.

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Does Priority Pass Membership Guarantee Lounge Entry?

No, it doesn’t but don’t panic!

Priority Pass membership offers flexibility. That means the flexibility to use a lounge when it suits you without the hassle of booking and the flexibility to access another lounge if one is busy.

However, for some lounges, there is the opportunity to pay an extra fee to guarantee entry to your preferred lounge.

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Busy Priority Pass Lounges

At peak times Priority Pass members might not be able to access an airport lounge because it is full of clients who have booked directly, or with other Priority Pass members that got in before the rush!

Given the choice of lounges available, this is often not a problem – you simply go to another lounge.

Flight delays are the most likely reason for being denied access. If you have booked an airport lounge and your flight is delayed you are able to stay in the lounge until your new flight departure time.

I experienced this at Gatwick Airport once when bad weather grounded most of the flights for the morning. The whole airport was full of people as a result. All the cafes, restaurants, and seating areas were full.

The lounges were also full of those delayed passengers who had yet to depart the airport. As such I wasn’t able to access any of the lounges with my Priority Pass membership.

Whilst that can be frustrating you have to remember that if you experience a flight delay and you are using the airport lounge you get to stay and enjoy the lounge until your flight departs. Swings and roundabouts.

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Popular Priority Pass Lounges

Some lounges are busy because they are so popular. The No.1 Lounges are a good example. At Gatwick Airport these are the most popular lounges. As a result, Priority Pass members were not always able to access these lounges as the lounges would be full of customers who booked directly with No.1.

In the last couple of years, Priority Pass introduced a scheme where you can pay an extra fee to guarantee entry into these very popular lounges. The fee is £6 and you need to reserve your lounge space.

are priority pass lounges usually crowded - barcelona

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?

Priority Pass Lounges at Busy Airports

Priority Pass has a huge network of lounges that members can access. At most of the busier airports, there are several lounge options for members to choose from.

This ensures members can simply use a lounge that is less busy. At Gatwick, the Plaza Premium Lounge is often not as busy as the No.1 Lounge despite being in the same location (just one floor down in the lift).

Here are some examples of the choices available to Priority Pass members at some of the busier airports in the UK;

London Gatwick North and South Terminal – 4 lounges available in each terminal

  • Heathrow Terminal 3, 4 and 5 – 2 lounges available at each terminal
  • Edinburgh Airport – 3 lounges

And here are a couple from Europe;

  • Barcelona – 4 lounges across the 2 terminals

Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded? – Conclusion

  • Priority Pass members can be denied entry to a lounge if it is already full.
  • The number of lounges in the Priority Pass network means it is easier to find a lounge that is less busy.
  • If there are lots of flight delays then all the lounges as well as the airport are likely to be full so no one will be able to access a lounge until the backlog clears.
  • Priority Pass offers its members the opportunity to pay a small fee to guarantee entry to the most popular lounges. This is a great service as members retain the flexibility that is such a feature of Priority Pass.
priority pass airport lounge find out more

Other Articles

If you have found this article ‘Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?’ useful you might also like;

Priority Pass Membership – All You Need to Know

Airport Lounge Membership versus Pay as You Go access to airport lounges

Airport Lounge Membership Scheme Comparison

You can find lots more articles on my Airport Lounges page

Further Reading

error: Content is protected !!