The latest J. D. Power rating for airport lounges has been released, and the results may come as a surprise. While many would expect top-rated airport lounges to belong to major airlines such as Delta, United, or American, the number one spot was actually claimed by American Express. The American Express Centurion lounge was rated as the best airport lounge, followed by the Capital One Lounge and Delta.

In recent years, airport lounges have become a highly sought-after perk for travelers, almost as important as a comfortable business class seat. With frequent flight delays and cancellations, the lounge has become a welcome haven from the chaos of crowded airport waiting areas.

These lounges also attract the premium-paying passengers that airlines value the most, as their business class seats can cost up to five times more than economy seats.

As a result, there has been somewhat of an “arms race” among airlines in terms of the quality of their airport lounges. For example, Delta’s Terminal 3 at LAX boasts a 29,000 square foot SkyMiles Club, complete with private workspaces, ample seating with access to power and Wi-Fi, escalators, and sophisticated décor. The lounge also features private showers and both indoor and outdoor bars and dining areas, with the outdoor bar offering a great view of take-offs and landings. Additionally, the food served in these lounges is of high quality.

The 2025 U. S. Airport Lounge Benchmark from J. D. Power is a newly released study that measures customer satisfaction with airport lounges in the United States. The study evaluates eight core dimensions, ranked in order of importance: value of experience, staff, food and beverage, cleanliness/upkeep, ease of access, ambiance, and Wi-Fi service.

Based on an eight-point scale, the American Express Centurion Lounge received the highest customer satisfaction score of 782. The Capital One Lounge and Delta Sky Club tied for second place with a score of 773. The Chase Sapphire Lounge came in at 771, followed by American Airlines Admirals Club with 753, the Alaska Lounge with 748, and United Club with the lowest score of 705.

The study surveyed 1,430 travelers who had visited a U. S. airport lounge in the past year. The results highlight the increasing importance of airport lounges in the overall travel experience.

In fact, J. D. Power found that a significant number of customers now plan their flight routes based on access to their preferred airport lounge. Interestingly, the study also revealed that a majority of passengers consider the quality and availability of airport lounges when choosing an airline.

The demand for airport lounges is even influencing airport designs and layouts. According to J. D. Power, food and beverage offerings are the main draw for these lounges, followed by opportunities for rest and relaxation and a chance to escape the crowds.

Satisfaction levels increase the longer guests spend in the lounge, although most passengers do not stay for extended periods of time