North Bethesda, MD – September 10, 2026 – Airport lounges have evolved from places to wait into destinations in their own right, making the lounge experience an increasingly important part of the travel journey.
New research from Sodexo Live! and YouGov explores what travelers want from that experience, from what makes a lounge feel premium to how expectations for food, beverage and service change throughout the day.
The study surveyed 2,166 air travelers across the U.S. and U.K. who had flown First or Business class and/or visited an airport lounge within the previous year.
Among the study's key findings:
- Premium is about more than the space. While more than 45% of travelers pointed to comfortable, uncrowded spaces, 30%+ cited attentive service and 28%+ pointed to culinary excellence, including award-winning chefs and tableside service, as qualities they associate with a premium lounge experience.
- The airport lounge experience travelers want at 6 a.m. isn't the one they want at 9 p.m. More than half of travelers across the U.S., U.K. and every cabin class want self-service buffets throughout the day. But by dinner, First and Business cabin travelers show greater interest in table service and made-to-order dining.
- At lunch and dinner, U.S. and U.K. preferences begin to diverge. Among economy-cabin travelers, 36% of U.S. travelers want local foods and flavors at lunch and dinner, while 4 in 10 U.K. travelers want indulgent options at dinner.
- Travelers are more willing to try a new drink than a new dish. The finding holds across both the U.S. and U.K., suggesting beverages offer more room to introduce something new, from signature cocktails and local beers to speciality coffees and mocktails.
“Airport lounges have become much more than a place to wait for a flight. They’re an extension of an airline’s or card issuer’s brand, and every part of the experience shapes how travelers see it. Food and beverage play a central role in bringing that experience to life.”
The full report, The Future of Airport Lounge Experiences: What Travelers Really Want from Food, Beverage and Hospitality, is available on this page.
About the Research
Sodexo Live! partnered with YouGov to survey 2,166 air travelers across the US and UK between the ages of 18 and 70. Respondents had flown First or Business class and/or visited an airport lounge within the previous year. The online survey was conducted in Q4 2025 using YouGov's proprietary panels and census-click methodology to produce a sample representative of the broader air traveler population.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages airport lounges, convention centers, cultural attractions, sports venues and major events around the world, creating memorable guest experiences through exceptional food and thoughtful hospitality. With 35,000 employees across 440 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales and event management services while supporting the local communities where we operate. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, Roland-Garros, the Rugby World Cup and the Paris 2024 Games, and iconic venues including the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
About YouGov
YouGov is a global research data and analytics group. Our mission is to offer unparalleled insight into what the world really thinks and does. With operations in the Americas, Mainland Europe, UK and Asia Pacific, we have one of the world’s largest research networks.
Above all, YouGov is powered by reality. That stems from a unique panel of millions of registered members across 64 markets, encapsulating some 18 million shopping trips and millions of interconnected data points. Our unique approach to recruiting and engaging with our panel, combined with our state-of-the-art technology platforms, enables us to deliver real-world, real-time insights that lead to better decision-making and a competitive advantage for our clients.
As innovators and pioneers of online market research, we have a strong reputation as a trusted source of accurate data and insights. Testament to this, YouGov data is regularly referenced by the global press, and we are consistently one of the most quoted market research sources in the world.
