Summary

  • Airlines show loyalty by providing free lounge access to frequent fliers with amenities like comfortable seating, WiFi, and refreshments.
  • Airport lounges offer a calm environment with conveniences such as showers, meeting rooms, and local cuisine options.
  • Various airlines provide exclusive lounges at their hub airports, treating travelers to a VIP experience before their flights.

When it comes to waiting at the airport, we all would love to pass through the doors into an exclusive airport lounge and enjoy all its features. While many include free food and drinks, what else can we enjoy before boarding our next flight? Airlines across the globe treat their most frequent fliers with free access to their airport lounges to thank them for their loyalty.

While many of these carriers also offer lounge memberships for a fee, these are a must for many corporate fliers who may be taking to the skies every other week.

Many of us look to the Pacific Islands for our next island getaway. With its laid-back lifestyle and resistance to Western norms, the islands make time blissfully relaxing. When it’s time to depart and fly home, we can commiserate in one of these fabulous airport lounges. Have you visited any?

Fiji Airways Airbus A330

Photo: Airbus

Airport lounges are operated at most airports, and these comforts exceed what would be found in the general parts of the terminal. Comfortable chairs, quieter environments, and on-hand customer service representatives are to help with any sudden change in travel plans.

Other accommodations include meeting rooms, showers, high-speed WiFi, printers, and telephones. A spread of local dishes is frequently accompanied by barista-made coffee, juice, soda, and a wide range of beers, wines, and spirits (where permitted).

Most airlines operate a lounge at their hub alongside other focus cities. However, many airlines in the South Pacific operate just one lounge at their home airport due to the size and demands of their network.

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1

Fiji Airways Premier Lounge

Nadi International Airport (NAN)

Heading to the picturesque Fijian Islands, first is the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge, located at Nadi International Airport. The airline’s flagship lounge can cater to up to 200 guests anytime. Travelers can enter for free if they are Fiji Airways business class guests, Tabua Club and Tabua Club Plus members, or premier guests of our partner airlines. Otherwise, you can pay to enter for a cost of FJ $135 ($59).

The lounge is open from 05:00 to the last departing Fiji Airways flight that day, and inside, you will find an extensive buffet serving local and international dishes, a Fijian bean cart, barista stations, and a full bar.

If you need to freshen up, you can head to the bathrooms and use the showers, hair dryer, and Pure Fiji products. Lastly, if the kids have been driving you crazy on holiday, you can let them play in the Lalai land, which has a full-time nanny onsite.

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2

Hibiscus Lounge

Noumea La Tontouta International Airport (NOU)

In New Caledonia, French carrier Aircalin operates from its hub at La Tontouta International Airport. The carrier operates a range of long-haul and short-haul international routes to the likes of Auckland, Sydney, Singapore, and Tokyo. The carrier also serves the longest ‘domestic route’ in the Pacific, connecting Papeete and Noumea, both French overseas collectivities.

You will find the airline Hibiscus Lounge on the second floor of the international terminal, with panoramic views of the runway and surrounding tropical mountain ranges. The lounge is open up to 2.5 hours before any international flight. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can treat yourself to the buffet with a range of pastries, verrines, canapés and sweet petits-four.

A range of local and international newspapers and WiFi is available to keep you connected, and there is a VIP room if you need to schedule an essential meeting before you’re up.

3

Faleolo Airport Lounge

Apia Faleolo International Airport (APW)

When departing Samoa, the Faleolo Airport Lounge can be your first port of call. While small, it packs a punch with comfy seats, WiFi, food, and shower facilities. If you fancy a last-minute cocktail to bid farewell to your time in the South Pacific, a bartender can shake or stir to your heart’s content.

The lounge is free for all departing international flights and business class or premier travelers on Qantas and Fiji Airways; otherwise, entry costs WS $50 ($18).

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4

Air Tahiti Nui Lounge

Papeete Faa’a International Airport (PPT)

As you commiserate leaving the paradise of French Polynesia, you can at least do it in style in the Air Tahiti Nui Lounge. Located past security in the international terminal, the lounge offers travelers a range of benefits away from the hustle and bustle of other passengers.

In this fully equipped quiet space, you can access free high-speed WiFi, a dedicated ‘reading area’ with a range of newspapers and magazines, an extensive buffet with local and international dishes, and a fully stocked bar with beers, wines, and spirits.

Some flights, due to their late night or early morning departure times, allow passengers to hop in their dedicated showers and freshen up before boarding.

For those who are not eligible to enter the lounge in Papeete for free, you can pay at the door for XPF 6000 ($52).

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5

Air New Zealand Lounge

Rarotonga International Airport (RAR)

Air New Zealand is the predominant international carrier in the Cook Islands. Its lounge is located just past security in the small but modest international terminal. The lounge opens two and a half hours before a departing Air NZ flight. Entry is permitted for these passengers:

WiFi and business facilities, a buffet, and a fully stocked bar. Toilets, showers, hairdryers, and towels are also on hand.

RAR

Photo: AIr New Zealand

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  • Fiji Airways A350

    Fiji Airways

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    FJ/FJI

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Nadi Airport

    Year Founded:
    1947

    Alliance:
    oneworld

    CEO:
    Andre Viljoen

    Country:
    Fiji

  • Air New Zealand Tile

    Air New Zealand

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    NZ/ANZ

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Wellington Airport

    Year Founded:
    1965

    Alliance:
    Star Alliance

    CEO:
    Greg Foran

    Country:
    New Zealand

    Region:
    Oceania

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