Family-Friendly UK Airport Lounges: How to Choose

A busy departures hall in the school holidays can be a stressful place to wait with children. An airport lounge offers a calmer alternative: somewhere to sit down together, have something to eat and drink, and let the children play before the flight. Not every lounge welcomes families, though, and those that do vary a great deal, so it pays to check the details before you book.

What a family-friendly lounge can offer

Facilities differ from airport to airport and change over time, but lounges that cater well for families often include some of the following:

• A separate family or children's area, so younger children can play without disturbing business travellers, and you can relax without worrying about noise.
• Toys, games consoles or a small play zone for different age groups.
• Family booths or screens where you can sit together and watch something.
• Food and drink included, which can save buying expensive airport meals and snacks for the whole family.
• Baby-changing facilities and space for a buggy.
• Flight information screens and announcements, so you can keep an eye on your gate without hovering in the main terminal.
• Runway views, which many children find far more entertaining than any toy.

Check the child policy first

This is the most important step. Some lounges admit children of any age; others set a minimum age or don't allow children at all, and policies can be different for the family area and the main lounge. Before booking, check:

• whether children are admitted, and from what age;
• how infants and children are charged, as this varies;
• whether there is a dedicated family space or children simply share the main lounge;
• how long you can stay, as many lounges limit visits to a few hours before your flight;
• whether the lounge is landside or airside, and which terminal it's in.

Lounge operators and airports update their facilities and rules regularly, so always check the current details on the lounge's or airport's own website rather than relying on older reviews.

How to book

• Book ahead where you can. Pre-booked lounge access is often cheaper than paying on the door, and in peak holiday weeks walk-up places can sell out completely.
• Compare routes to entry. You can usually book through the airport's website, the lounge operator or a third-party booking site. Prices and cancellation terms can differ, so compare them.
• Check what you may already have. Some airline tickets, frequent-flyer tiers, premium bank accounts, credit cards and lounge membership schemes include lounge access. Check whether the benefit covers children, as it often covers only the cardholder.
• Read the cancellation terms. Find out what happens if your flight is delayed, moved or cancelled.

Is it worth it for your family?

A lounge tends to be best value when:

• you have a long wait, or you're arriving early to beat the traffic;
• your children are young enough to need space to play and nap;
• you'd otherwise be buying a meal for everyone in the terminal;
• you're travelling in a busy holiday week when seats in the departure lounge are scarce.

It may be less worthwhile if you're arriving with little time to spare, if the nearest lounge is a long walk from your gate, or if your children are happier watching the planes from a terminal window.

Making the most of your visit

• Go through security early, as lounge time usually counts from when you arrive.
• Keep children's headphones handy so they can watch something without disturbing other guests.
• Allow plenty of time to walk to your gate, as some gates are a long way from the lounge.

If you'd rather stay in the main terminal, our guide on how to entertain children at the airport and our airport spotting game have plenty of ideas. Either way, checking the child policy, opening hours and booking terms before you travel is the key to a calmer start to your holiday.