To get into an airline lounge, you would usually need to hold frequent flyer status, a lounge membership or be flying in Business or First Class. But a few international airlines also welcome passengers flying Premium Economy into their airport lounges.
There’s a huge amount of variation between Premium Economy products on different airlines. On some airlines, such as Qantas, Air New Zealand or Emirates, Premium Economy includes lots of extra amenities, better meals and access to extra services on the ground like priority check-in or priority boarding. On other carriers, such as Lufthansa, Premium Economy not much more than a larger seat.
That said, it’s rare for airlines to include lounge access as a benefit with a Premium Economy ticket. Even Emirates doesn’t do this.
The few airlines that do provide a lounge for Premium Economy customers are the exception to the rule. But if you happen to be flying on one of these airlines, it’s a great perk!
These are the airlines that offer Premium Economy lounge access…
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Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines offers lounge access to all passengers booked in Premium Economy on international flights. Even if you redeemed Qantas points to book your ticket, you can use the lounge – regardless of your frequent flyer status!
JAL also provides lounge access to customers with “Flex Y” Economy tickets.
This benefit only applies at the international departure airport, and you must be on a flight operated by Japan Airlines. There is no guest allowance.
Lounge access is not offered to passengers who upgrade to Premium Economy at the airport on the day of the flight. (These upgrades cost $450 on flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Tokyo, and are available on request if there are still empty seats in Premium Economy on the day of the flight.)
At Japanese airports, JAL Premium Economy passengers can use the same lounges as Business Class passengers. But at some overseas airports, the lounge available to Premium Economy passengers may be different to that of Business Class or status passengers.
Here’s a selection of lounges available to Japan Airlines Premium Economy customers at different airports around the world:
- Frankfurt: Sakura Lounge
- Helsinki: Plaza Premium Lounge
- London (Heathrow): British Airways Galleries Club Lounge
- Los Angeles: Oneworld Lounge
- Melbourne: Marhaba Lounge
- New York (JFK): Admirals Club
- Paris: Air France Lounge
- San Francisco: British Airways Lounge
- Singapore: Marhaba Lounge
- Sydney: Qantas International Business Lounge
- Tokyo (Haneda): Sakura Lounge
- Tokyo (Narita): Sakura Lounge
- Vancouver: Plaza Premium Lounge
See the JAL website for a full list of lounges.
All Nippon Airways
As the other major Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA) also offers lounge access to customers booked in Premium Economy.
The access rules are almost identical to those of Japan Airlines. For example, you must be on an ANA-operated flight and can only use the lounge prior to the departure of an international flight.
ANA Premium Economy passengers are generally welcomed into the same lounges as Business Class passengers. However, access is not provided everywhere (e.g. there is no lounge access at airports in Germany) and there is no guest allowance.
These are the lounges available at a selection of airports:
- Brussels: Diamond Lounge
- Honolulu: ANA LOUNGE
- Houston: United Club
- London (Heathrow): United Club
- Mexico City: Grand Lounge Elite
- Osaka (Kansai): ANA LOUNGE
- Perth: Air New Zealand Lounge
- Sydney: Air New Zealand Lounge
- Tokyo (Haneda): ANA LOUNGE
- Tokyo (Narita): ANA LOUNGE
See the ANA website for more details.
Air Astana
Air Astana, the national airline of Kazakhstan, provides the same benefits on the ground to Premium Economy passengers as it does for Business Class. This means Air Astana Premium Economy passengers can use the Business Class check-in counters, receive the Business Class luggage allowance and can also use airport lounges, where available.
However, Air Astana’s Premium Economy product is a bit different to that of other airlines. Air Astana only offers Premium Economy on its Embraer E190 aircraft, which does not have a Business Class cabin. These jets are mostly flown on regional routes between Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries.
On board the E190, there are three rows of Premium Economy seats which have more legroom but are the same physical seats as those in Economy. A full meal service including hot towels is provided on board.
Air Astana also gives lounge access to passengers who book an Economy Sleeper ticket (which includes a whole row of seats to lie down on).
LATAM Airlines
LATAM passengers can use the airline’s lounges when travelling in Premium Economy on an international flight.
LATAM offers Premium Economy on its international Airbus A320 family aircraft, which do not have a Business Class cabin. This product is similar to intra-Europe Business Class.
Lounge access when flying Premium Economy on other airlines
If you have the equivalent of Gold or higher status with the airline you’re flying – or one of its partners – you can generally access the lounge regardless of your cabin class. For example, Qantas Gold and Platinum frequent flyers could use the lounge when flying Premium Economy on Qantas, Emirates, British Airways, American Airlines, Finnair or Iberia.
Even if you don’t have status and you’re flying in Economy or Premium Economy, you may still be able to access airport lounges with Priority Pass. You can purchase a Priority Pass membership or gain access with the right credit card. That could be a good fallback option if you’re flying Premium Economy and your airline doesn’t provide lounge access.
Do you know of any other airlines that invite Premium Economy passengers into their lounges? Let us know on the AFF forum!
