Skip to main content
Insights — Design Stories, Research

Latest Hospitality Trends in Airport Club Lounges

Published on
CLT Hospitality Lounge filled with upscale seating and a bar

Upscale hospitality is not just for restaurants anymore. Airport lounges are upping the game, designing comfortable and stylish interiors for an elevated travel experience. What once was a pit stop to grab cocktails or a quick bite to eat has transformed into an oasis serving local culture and flavors as a refuge from the hustle and bustle.

Lounges are offering more amenities than ever before with technology, wellness rooms, food and beverage options, and even areas where children can play. Across the board, lounges are scaling to attract energetic, diverse demographics with beautiful, fun, and functional spaces.

People seated in green chairs facing windows and Southwest Airlines planes

With the recent popularity of airport lounges like The Club CLT and EWR’s United Club Lounge, the upscale hospitality trend continues to raise the bar on how we approach travel.

The trend is attracting celebrity chefs, mixologists, and servers that cater to passengers in style. From luxurious furnishings, original artwork, iconic and exclusive views, and dining options with menus featuring specialty cocktails, local tap brews, and farm-to-table fare, these hotspots are making buzzy media headlines—transforming travel into something of an elevated experience.

CLT entrance with an employee at the front desk

The Club CLT lounge at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is no exception. To meet the needs of the next generation of travelers and enhance their travel journey, Airport Dimensions, the global market leader in innovative lounge concepts, partnered with Corgan, the leader in aviation design, to create a hospitality-themed destination experience embracing Charlotte’s regional food, rich history, and culture.

With a modern sensibility and a dose of southern charm, this hidden gem offers moments to delight and inspire. A rich pallet in greens and blues mirrors the majestic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, while a golden ripple ceiling shimmering with glass pendant lights cast reflections on the 1799 Carolina Gold Rush.

A double porch swing with overstuffed pillows tucked away in a nook offers a quiet respite, and a generous leather banquette beckons travelers to dine. Glass dividers etched in a latticework pattern create private spaces for guests to kick back and relax in rockers and barrel club chairs while chaise lounges overlooking the airfield give passengers a place to plane watch and recharge. Free Wi-Fi, a stand-up tech center, and soundproof privacy pods offer places for people to work with 90% of the space dedicated to powered seating.

With the recent popularity of airport lounges like The Club CLT and EWR’s United Club Lounge, the upscale hospitality trend continues to raise the bar on how we approach travel — challenging design to create experiences that not only expand technical efficiencies and operational ease but reintroduce wonder and beauty into air travel.

CLT Main Image Large

CLT Airport Dimensions — The Club

The Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport provides open ambiance, Southern charm, and natural lighting providing an opportunity to relax and rest in a warm, inviting space.

Related News & Insights

Contact Us

Collaborate with Corgan

Contact Us

Careers

Shape the Next Built Environment

See Open Positions