by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:45 PM ET, Thu May 1, 2025
Airport lounges have taken on a life of their own, continually improving and evolving to distinguish themselves from the competition.
From spa treatments and showers to private outdoor spaces in which to relax and gourmet food offerings, the luxe features are hard to beat.
Unless, of course, you're talking about an airport lounge that's made it onto the just-announced list of 2025 Priority Pass Excellence Award winners. The lounges among this year's global winners are in a category of their own and feature everything from robots greeting guests to sound-proofed sleeping cabins and immersive guest experiences.
Among this stiff competition, if you want to experience one of the best airport lounges in the world, you’ll need to visit Brazil.
The Advantage VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 of Brazil's Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves International Airport has snagged the title of Global Lounge of the Year for 2025 as part of the annual awards program.
For travelers unfamiliar with the Advantage VIP Lounge, it's a space that draws inspiration from Brazilian heritage and culture.
The culinary offerings, for instance, are chosen to celebrate local and regional flavors (Think: chicken with okra; vaca atolada, (a Brazilian short rib stew), and the classic combination of cheese with guava for an authentic taste of Brazil.)
The lounge experience is further enhanced with a Fast-Track service, which allows guests to pass through a dedicated x-ray area and head straight into the lounge, cutting down on wait times and maximizing opportunities to relax and recharge. (What weary traveler doesn't want that kind of effortless access?)
The Grand Lounge Elite, Terminal 1, Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport, Mexico (Photo Credit: Courtesy Priority Pass)
The Global Lounge of the Year category also includes a regional winner for 2025: The Grand Lounge Elite in Terminal 1 of Mexico City Benito Juárez International Airport.
Closer to home, in the United States, Escape Lounges on Concourse A of Kansas City International Airport was recognized as “highly commended” in the Global Lounge of the Year category.
The annual Priority Pass awards are based on the ratings and reviews of 781,000 members of the Priority Pass lounge and airport experiences program. The award criteria include considerations such as facility quality, customer service, food and beverage selection, and overall satisfaction.
Each year, in addition to Lounge of the Year, the Priority Pass awards include recognition for Pioneer of the Year lounges and All Star of the Year lounges.
Pioneer of the Year
Nominated by Priority Pass lounge and experience partners, these airport lounge winners are recognized for their unique and innovative services and solutions that help to improve the overall traveler experience. Three winners were named.
The Infinity Lounge, Terminal 2 & The Library Lounge, Terminal 1, Nice Cote d'Azur Airport, France
Is it really any surprise that two airport lounges in France are leading the pack when it comes to luxe offerings? These two lounges are said to have "reinvented the VIP experience" with a suite of smart, guest-focused innovations.
A connected digital ecosystem in each lounge delivers notifications and tailored offers, while “The Moment” gives travelers instant access to premium streaming and shopping content.
Guests are greeted by Tony, a friendly “co-bot” who handles logistics so staff can focus on exceptional service. To top it off, a real-time vocal feedback system, powered by AI, listens and learns to anticipate needs and continuously elevate the experience.
080 Domestic & International Lounges, Terminal 2, Kempegowda International Airport, India
Blending thoughtful design, curated dining, digital innovation and sustainability, the 080 Lounges elevated the guest journey in 2024 and 2025. Through seasonal events, local sourcing and immersive guest experiences, they earned prestigious global awards, setting new standards for airport hospitality in India.
Kepler Hotel & Lounge, Riga International Airport, Ria, Latvia and Kepler Club, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia
These facilities offer travelers a private and tech-enabled retreat with soundproof sleeping cabins, luxury showers, and smart features like self-service kiosks, delivery robots, and other automated systems.
All Star of the Year
Airport lounges that are recognized as All Stars are named winners because of "an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence, every single day." If it's the planet's best customer service you're after, head to the following airports.
- Cristina Isabel Escobar Sánchez, Cumbia Lounge, Barranquilla Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, Colombia
- Nanci Quintana, AMAE Lounge, International and Domestic Terminals, Rosario Islas Malvinas International Airport, Argentina
- Guilherme Queiroz da Silva, BRT Lounge, Porto Seguro Airport, Brazil
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