ACRP is soliciting Letters of Interest from those interested in performing the research work. A cover letter plus a resume or CV should convey a concise idea of your knowledge of the topic and your related work and experience in the subject area. A statement that you can comply with the terms of the contract should be included. A panel of topic experts will select the contractor at their first panel meeting. The deadline for letters of interest is February 1, 2025 by 5pm eastern and can be submitted at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8093208/ACRP-Synthesis-LOI-2025

Tentative Scope

The airport lounge landscape has undergone a transformation in recent years, deviating from the traditional model where airlines exclusively operated lounges for their elite passengers. The emergence of common-use, credit card, and commercial lounges has introduced a diverse array of service providers catering to a broader customer base. This shift raises questions regarding the current state of airport lounges, the factors driving these changes, and the resulting implications on airport commercial revenues.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of common-use, credit card, and commercial airport lounges, and their impact on airport commercial revenues.

Information to be described in a concise report includes (but is not limited to):

• a comprehensive overview of the existing airport lounge landscape, highlighting the prevalence and characteristics of the different lounge models and different types of contractual arrangements (use and lease agreements, commercial contracts, etc.).  
• the dynamics, benefits, and challenges associated with common-use, credit card, and commercial lounge models, and the operational challenges associated with the coexistence of the various lounge models.
• the factors influencing passenger choices among different lounge options.
• quantifying the impact of airport lounges on airport commercial revenues, funding and costs associated with airport lounges, and the potential impact on food and beverage and retail revenue.
• case examples that include the strategy of identifying space and location for the lounge, and airport lounge business models.

Information will be collected through literature review, a survey of airports, and interviews with selected airports for the development of case examples. Knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research to address those gaps will also be identified.

Partial Information Sources:

ACRP Synthesis 131, State of Airport Loyalty Programs (2023)

ACRP Report 157, Improving the Airport Customer Experience (2016)