airport lounge is it worth it?

[tinkertaylor05]

Having never flown long haul I've not even considered using one in the past. We're flying Thomas Cook from Manchester so I need to check our options, just thought I'd ask here first for any experiences or thoughts?

 

[flortlebap]

How long will you be in the airport? Are you planning on eating there?

Even if you don't go with a lounge, we've always found by the time we've had food and a quick shop it's time to board. I've never been bored in Manchester, but it can be very busy!

 

[wayneg]

Used a few lounges when flying business class as they include it in the ticket but not something we have ever paid for.
I guess it depends how much, which lounge and how long you plan on being in there, the ones we have used (included with Delta) have been OK but nothing special, coffee, tea, bags of crisps, newspapers, muffins etc. Alcoholic drinks are there but we don't drink when flying.
So not worth a great deal to us, we would rather just arrive in time to have a look around the airport then board but others always use them.

 

[wilma-bride]

We have only ever used a lounge when flights have been delayed. A few years ago we had a 7 hour delay with Virgin and the lounge gave us somewhere fairly quiet to relax and 'set up camp' while we waited.

Some lounges only give you limited access (no more than 3 hours prior to your flight) - since you normally board an hour before the flight time, you might only be getting access to the lounge for a couple of hours.

If you don't plan on eating breakfast before you leave home or at the airport, it might be worth it for the free drinks/snacks (although most lounges don't have cooked breakfast items) otherwise I wouldn't say it was worth the cost.

 

[2Tiggies]

I find it worth it if we are spending more than 3 hours knocking about the airport. Otherwise it really depends on what you do/spend while waiting to board.

I'm definitely booking one for our layover at LGW in June, with our transatlatic flight departure having changed to nearly 3 hours later and our connecting flight arriving at Gatwick now moved to 90 minutes earlier ....

I don't fancy walking around the airport for nearly 7 hours so to me it's worth booking it and in fact, adding an extra hour on as well.

It's not all about the cost. It's nice to be able to sit away from the general crowds and relax a bit. Obviously how peaceful it is depends on the lounge, season and time of day so all factors need to be considered

 

[queendisney]

We used to always use the Virgin Hols lounge until we started booking our holiday DIY. We loved it. Nice and quiet away from all the crowds with food and drink (non alcoholic), newspapers and overlooking the runway. Well worth it I thought.
Nowadays because we book the Gatwick Hilton the night before and do twilight check in we take our time in the morning and have just enough time to look around duty free before we go to the gate.
I know that we would definitely book a lounge if we didn't stay at the Hilton or have a twilight check in facility.

 

[flortlebap]

I find it worth it if we are spending more than 3 hours knocking about the airport. Otherwise it really depends on what you do/spend while waiting to board.

I'm definitely booking one for our layover at LGW in June, with our transatlatic flight departure having changed to nearly 3 hours later and our connecting flight arriving at Gatwick now moved to 90 minutes earlier ....

I don't fancy walking around the airport for nearly 7 hours so to me it's worth booking it and in fact, adding an extra hour on as well.

It's not all about the cost. It's nice to be able to sit away from the general crowds and relax a bit. Obviously how peaceful it is depends on the lounge, season and time of day so all factors need to be considered

Oh no, what a nightmare! It's not like you can even wander away from the airport to find some entertainment...

 

[2Tiggies]

Oh no, what a nightmare! It's not like you can even wander away from the airport to find some entertainment...

No but I might hit the G&T in the lounge and become the entertainment

 

[Minniesgal]

We arrive at Gatwick at breakfast time so we book the lounge and they provide breakfast and we get to use the other facilities ( wifi, nice place to sit in peace, drinks) for about the same price as buying a breakfast somewhere

 

[2Tiggies]

We arrive at Gatwick at breakfast time so we book the lounge and they provide breakfast and we get to use the other facilities ( wifi, nice place to sit in peace, drinks) for about the same price as buying a breakfast somewhere

Which lounge do you use? This is our first time using one at Gatwick. Only other times we used a lounge there was using airline lounges, not the airport ones.

I've pretty much settled on the No. 1 lounge but not booked yet and keen to hear any views

 

[Minniesgal]

Which lounge do you use? This is our first time using one at Gatwick. Only other times we used a lounge there was using airline lounges, not the airport ones. I've pretty much settled on the No. 1 lounge but not booked yet and keen to hear any views

We usually use the 1 lounge but we are going to try the v room this trip

 

[gavvy]

I always book a lounge, Gatwick is rubbish for seating, is overcrowded and expensive, a few drinks and snacks easily cost more that the £17 or so for the right to sit in a nice area thats not loud where I can read the papers or watch the news.

I've also started booking a lounge in Bristol when I fly from there as they have ripped out a load of seating over the years to provide more shops.

It's a personal preference, im not a people person and dont like being in stressful noisy situations..... That's why I visit Disney LOL

 

[2Tiggies]

We usually use the 1 lounge but we are going to try the v room this trip

Thanks

I always book a lounge, Gatwick is rubbish for seating, is overcrowded and expensive, a few drinks and snacks easily cost more that the £17 or so for the right to sit in a nice area thats not loud where I can read the papers or watch the news.

I really like Gatwick now that it's had it's major facelift. I didn't care for the old LGW, but the North Terminal really impressed me. However, with that said, I absolutely agree that by the time you've bought a couple of coffees, a magaine and a few snacks, you've spent your lounge entry anyway so you may as well put that money towards using a lounge to avoid all the folk who didn't pay for one

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thanks for everyone's replies .... We're only a taxi ride away from Mcr airport, will want to eat breakfast there so think we'll just take our time eating and shopping

 

[Molyneuxd]

We now always use the escape lounges at Manchester, for £15 or so per person its good value I feel.

Can have a few drinks, food and sit in peace. (by time had a coffee / beer and breakfast outside lounge its paid for itself)

Also makes time fly, instead of sat waiting watching the screens for gate number to pop up.

Does all depend on time you fly, past few years our flights have been morning so made most of breakfast.