Final Scope

BACKGROUND
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, airline, and airport operated 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 in-terminal commercial activites. 

OBJECTIVE and AUDIENCE
The objective of this synthesis is to document the current state of common-use, credit card, airline, and airport operated lounges, and their impact on airport concession revenues and operations. The audience for this synthesis are airport practioners involved in planning, developing, and managing in-terminal commercial activities. 

INFO TO BE GATHERED & TASKS
Information to be described in a concise report includes (but is not limited to):

• a comprehensive overview of the 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, airline, and airport operated lounge models, and the operational and management challenges associated with the coexistence of the other commercial entities
• the factors influencing passenger choices to either access a lounge or utilize concessions.
• quantifying the impact of airport lounges on commercial revenues, funding and costs associated with airport lounges.
• quantifying the impact of airport lounges on food and beverage and retail sales.
• case examples that include the strategy of identifying space and location for the lounge and airport lounge business models, as well as lessons learned.

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)
ACI World Common-Use Airport Lounges White Paper 2025 
IATA Global Passenger Survey 2024

STATUS: A research agency has been selected and contracting is underway.