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As competition for space and customers intensifies, credit card issuers and airlines alike are stepping up with larger flagship stores, entirely new lounge concepts and design features, and spaces that offer more specialized services and rethink how travelers spend their pre-flight time.
Some go to scale, some focus on speed and convenience, and some offer a more full-service experience.
As a result, some very exciting and impressive lounges have been added to the mix in recent months. These are the airport lounge openings in 2025 and 2026 that surprised us the most.
American Express Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
The American Express Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the largest lounges in the network at approximately 18,000 square feet and incorporates design elements rooted in the surrounding Wasatch Mountains through wood finishes and extensive amenities. The food program is carried out through the Centurion Lounge’s Culinary Collective, with a full-service espresso bar featuring local roaster Millcreek Coffee. We also have a year-round outdoor terrace with a second bar and fireplace, something you don’t often find at other lounges.
Those looking to relax and rejuvenate can book a shower suite with L’Occitane toiletries and cozy robes, or rent a Hypervolt massager or Normatec compression boots in the wellness room.
read our article full review.
Amex Sidecar by Centurion Lounge at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
American Express’ new sidecar concept is designed for travelers with limited time but who want an upscale stop before departure. The new student base at Harry Reid International Airport is 1,500 square feet with 33 seats arranged around a bar and a series of small tables. The experience unfolds like a cocktail bar, with a concise, curated menu of small plates from Centurion Lounge’s Culinary Collective, such as cucumber salad with crispy rice and rotating sliders, and drinks developed by Harrison Ginsberg of New York City’s Overstory (one of North America’s 50 Best Bars). Intended for short visits without losing any opportunities.
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Capital One lands at LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Capital One’s Landing concept replaces the traditional lounge format with a full dining experience, with the 12,500-square-foot venue at LaGuardia Airport focused on Spanish-inspired small plates developed with Jose Andres and his team. Once guests are greeted and seated, they are served a series of delicious tapas, including: croquette, garlic shrimpwith hanger steak my faith Arrive during the meal.
The room emphasizes height and light, with 30-foot ceilings, a skylit terrace converted from a former outdoor patio, expansive views of both the runway and the Manhattan skyline, and rolling carts delivering menu items like Basque cheesecake and tableside martinis.
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Capital One Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Capital One opens its flagship lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the summer of 2025. This gave us a great reason to get to the airport early. The 13,500 square foot space in Terminal 4 is even larger while still maintaining a very local feel, marking a clear step forward for the brand. Tucked away on the lower level of T4’s retail hall, just past security, it’s all about New York, starting with hand-rolled bagels from Essa Bagels, a coffee bar from local Roasters Bean & Bean Coffee, a dedicated counter at Murray’s Cheese, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking JFK’s crowded tarmac.
Open 24 hours a day (this is the city that never sleeps, after all), the space is divided into distinct zones, from quiet seating clusters to a larger, sociable bar and bodega-style food counter. No traditional buffet. Food is plated in the lounge kitchen and can be purchased from display stations (as individual portions) or via QR order. Specialties include spiced deviled eggs, smoked salmon bagels, and build-your-own cheese boards. The cocktail list, inspired by different regions of New York, reinforces the sense of place throughout.
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Chase Sapphire Lounge at The Club at LAS
Chase Las Vegas Lounge puts food at the forefront, with the two-story, 5,390-square-foot space at Harry Reid International Airport shaped around a menu developed in partnership with David Chang’s Momofuku, including pork buns, cucumber salad and coconut rice pudding.
Upstairs, a golden champagne parlor brings Las Vegas-style glamor to the lounge, with drinks delivered to your table along with snacks like Parmesan potato chips and dried fruit. Coffee is provided by local coffee shop Dark Moon Coffee Roasters, the wine program is curated by New York-based shop Parcelle, and seating is spread across two levels in a mix of lounge chairs and dining sets.
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Delta Sky Club in SLC
Delta’s second Sky Club at Salt Lake City International Airport, at 34,000 square feet and accommodating up to 600 guests, is the airline’s largest at SLC and features an immersive room that uses panoramic video and ambient sound to recreate the Utah landscape. There’s also a central bar, extensive buffet, and multiple drink stations, including one dedicated to the local favorite, Dirty Soda. Seating ranges from lounge chairs to enclosed phone booths, and the layout accommodates high traffic volumes while still giving travelers space to stretch their legs.
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JetBlue’s “BlueHouse” at JFK
JetBlue, always a bit of a disruptor, avoided calling its first lounge a lounge, instead positioning the two-story, 9,000-square-foot site at John F. Kennedy International Airport as more of an apartment space in the form of the Blue House. Seating for approximately 140 people is arranged in open areas and quiet corners.
New York elements are sprinkled throughout, from a Grand Central Terminal-inspired ceiling installation to artwork made from Metrocards, and drinks will be provided by local partners like Please Don’t Tell and Joe Coffee. Meals are prepared off-site and delivered daily, and are currently served takeaway style, with plans to install an in-house kitchen at a later stage.
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Plaza Premium Lounge, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
While Priority Pass members aren’t always at the forefront when it comes to airport lounges, there are still plenty of luxurious details that make it worthwhile. A case in point is the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal D at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which opened in February 2026 in the space that previously housed the American Express Centurion Lounge (now relocated to a larger site above the D15 security checkpoint in Terminal D). Plaza Premium Group, the world’s largest independent lounge operator,’s state-of-the-art, exclusive property features a forward-thinking design aesthetic with a mid-century modern sensibility, intense natural light and seating for nearly 100 guests.
A complimentary buffet anchors the experience with a mix of Southwestern-influenced hot and cold dishes (like chili-fried vegetables), along with a full bar pouring beer, house wine, and standard spirits. Pricing is reasonable, although premium drinks and some à la carte menu items cost extra. A cucumber martini costs $11, while made-to-order options like a burger with fries sell for closer to $12. Even fast food restaurants are much cheaper than what you would pay inside the terminal.
read A complete review of DFW’s Myriad Airport Lounges.
This article was originally published in July 2024 and updated with current information on May 15, 2026.