The 12 best Escape Lounges, ranked: 2026

Who gets into an Escape Lounge

Escape Lounges are pay-to-enter rooms, so anyone with a boarding pass can book ahead or walk in, up to three hours before departure. In the US, most of them are Centurion Studio partners, which means Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders enter free, often with two guests, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders enter free on Delta flights. Priority Pass works at most locations if you pre-book, but not all.

We ranked every Escape Lounge with a photo on file, which turned out to be all of them, and kept the top 12. Edinburgh, Phoenix Terminal 4, Sacramento, Providence, San Juan and the two Essence rooms sit below the cut.

1. The Executive by Escape Lounges, Manchester

The Executive opened in July 2026 as Terminal 2's premium lounge, replacing the 1903 Lounge. It is at the top of the escalators, with 300 seats and fives for coffee, drinks, service, seating, views and workspace. Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, Etihad, Singapore and Cathay premium passengers are sent here. Everyone else pays from about 57 pounds, and Priority Pass is not accepted. Hours are 3 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

2. Escape Lounge, Portland

The Portland lounge opened in 2025 on Concourse D between gates D8 and D10 and is the best of the US rooms. It seats 150, has two showers and a full bar, and scores five for food, drinks, coffee, showers and views. It is open 4:30 a.m. to midnight. Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders get in free on applicable flights.

3. Escape Lounge, Bristol

The Bristol lounge opened in August 2025 on the mezzanine next to the Cabin Bar, with 140 seats, two showers and apron views. Coffee, drinks, service, quiet and seating score five. It is paid entry only, from about 40 pounds pre-booked, and Priority Pass holders are sent to the Essence lounge instead.

4. Escape Lounge, Manchester Terminal 2

The original Terminal 2 Escape Lounge sits just past The Executive on the upper level, with two showers and private areas used by British Airways and Air France-KLM. Most metrics score four, with fives for cleanliness, restrooms and Wi-Fi. Card members can bring up to three guests. It opens at 3 a.m.

5. Escape Lounge, Minneapolis

The Minneapolis lounge is on the mezzanine above the Concourse E entrance in Terminal 1, a 90-seat room with a full bar and no showers. Drinks, views and restrooms score five, but coffee, quiet and crowding are a three. Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders enter free only on Delta flights.

6. Escape Lounge (Terminal 3), Phoenix

The Phoenix Terminal 3 lounge is at the meeting point of the E and F gates, next to the airport museum gallery. It is small, with 90 seats, but food, coffee, crowding and power score five. Amex Platinum cardholders get two guests free.

7. Escape Lounge, Fort Lauderdale

The Fort Lauderdale lounge is on Level 2 of Terminal 3 between the E and F gates, reachable from Terminal 4 too. It has 80 seats and a full bar, with a five for Wi-Fi and mostly fours elsewhere. Priority Pass is not accepted here, so it is Amex, Delta Reserve or a $45 to $60 pass.

8. Escape Lounge, Manchester Terminal 3

The Terminal 3 lounge serves Ryanair passengers only, since Terminal 3 is Ryanair's. It is up the stairs past Duty Free with runway views; food and drinks score five while seating and quiet are a three. Pre-booking starts around 30 pounds.

9. Escape Lounge, Syracuse

The Syracuse lounge is a 54-seat room with Adirondack decor and a faux log fire near gate 1, which was highly commended as a regional lounge at the 2024 Priority Pass awards. Amex Platinum cardholders enter free, and passes start at $35. Bar service starts at 8 a.m.

10. Escape Lounges, Cincinnati

The new Cincinnati lounge opened in 2026 above the Fifth Third Bank near gate B12, nearly five times the size of the old one, with four zones, a horseshoe bar and airfield views that score five. Coffee scores two, which drags the rating down. Amex cardholders get two guests free.

11. Escape Lounge, Kansas City

The Kansas City lounge opened in 2025 near gate A5 as the airport's first common-use lounge, with local art, Roasterie coffee and quiet, family and dining zones. Food and service score four. Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve entry is free only on same-day Delta flights.

12. Escape Lounge, Hartford

The Hartford lounge by gate 1 in Terminal A reopened in 2026 after adding about 1,000 square feet, a bigger kitchen and separate work, dining and social zones. Service scores five, but coffee and views are a two. Priority Pass members must pre-book and show their card.

Which one to pick on a connection

In Manchester, The Executive is worth the price if you are flying long-haul from Terminal 2, and the ordinary Escape Lounge is the right pick on a card. In Phoenix, the Terminal 3 room is far better than its Terminal 4 sibling. At any US Escape Lounge, check whether your Amex or Delta Reserve benefit needs a Delta flight before you count on free entry.

Access and method

Entry rules are on the Escape Lounges program page and the Centurion Lounge page for Amex access. Scores follow our methodology.