Summary

  • Some airlines offer lounge access to premium economy passengers.
  • US airlines, like American, Delta, and United, however, do not offer lounge access for premium economy.
  • US airline premium economy passengers can get lounge access through paid membership, elite status, third-party programs, or pay-as-you-go.

Lounge access has become increasingly common over the past years, with changes in lounge quality and size as well as access rules. Originally the domain of first and business class passengers exclusively, there are now many ways to get lounge access.

Some airlines have now started offering access to all premium economy passengers in a move to further improve the appeal and value of the cabin. This, unfortunately, does not happen with any of the US airlines, but only with a handful in Asia, Europe, and South America.

No lounge access with US airlines

Although the three main legacy US airlines—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines—all now offer a Premium Economy
cabin, none of them offer lounge access for these passengers.

Inside the American Airlines Premium Economy cabin.

Photo: American Airlines

Automatic cabin-based lounge access remains restricted to long-haul business class passengers (and long-haul first class for American Airlines, while it still offers the cabin).

Other airlines offer lounge access for premium economy

Currently, only a few airlines offer free lounge access for premium economy passengers. These all offer the cabin on some routes to North America, so there are options there for premium economy passengers wanting lounge access.

With shared alliance membership in most cases, travelers could still receive points or miles plus status credits with their chosen US airline loyalty program.

Related

Which Airlines Provide Lounge Access With Premium Economy Tickets?

A few airlines now extend this benefit to premium economy passengers.

Options for premium economy lounge access are currently with:

LATAM. LATAM is the only airline in the Americas to offer lounge access for premium economy passengers. This is valid on regional flights (not domestic flights) at LATAM lounges in Santiago, Bogotá, Guarulhos, Ezeiza, and Miami airports – plus some other contracted lounges. Premium economy is a slightly different offering from LATAM, however. It is only offered on its A320 family aircraft on regional flights (where no business class is offered).

LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 taxiing at FRA shutterstock_539839870

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis | Shutterstock

Japan Airlines. The Japanese airlines offer lounge access on all JAL-operating premium economy flights. Notably, it has one of the best and most spacious premium economy cabins around, winning the Skytrax award for best premium economy in 2024.

As Japan Airlines
is a oneworld member, American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members could credit these flights to their home loyalty program.

Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Premium Economy

Photo: Japan Airlines

ANA. Fellow Japanese carrier ANA also offers lounges for premium economy passengers on all ANA-operated international flights. As a Star Alliance member, it is a good option for United MileagePlan members.

SAS. SAS Scandinavian Airlines is the only European airline currently offering premium economy lounges. SAS Plus passengers can access lounges operated by SAS at Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Chicago, and New York Newark airports.

How can US airline premium economy passengers get lounge access?

So, other than flying with a non-US airline that offers it, how can passengers with American Airlines, United Airlines, or Delta Air Lines get lounge access when traveling premium economy? This is something that will undoubtedly make the airport and travel experience better.

The situation here is exactly the same as it would be for economy class options. Lounge access options include:

  • Having a lounge membership with the airline. All the major US airlines offer a program for paid lounge membership. With American Airlines AAdvantage, for example, an Admirals Club membership costs $700 to $850 depending on the membership type and elite level.
  • Purchasing lounge day access. A day entry pass is available with all US airlines. With Admirals Club,, this currently costs $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.

Related

How To Get Into An American Airlines Admirals Club In 2024

There are seven ways to get an Admirals Club membership in 2024 and the perks are worth the expenses for frequent flyers.

  • Holding elite status with an alliance partner airline. Although most US airlines do not automatically offer lounge access for their own elite-status members, other alliance member airlines do. An American Airlines passenger who has the appropriate elite status with
    British Airways Executive Club

    , for example, would receive lounge access whenever flying in economy or premium economy.

  • Pay for a third-party lounge access program. There are several third-party lounge access programs, including
    Priority Pass

    , Dragon Pass, and Lounge Pass that offer unlimited or reduced-price lounge access. There are also many options for getting these memberships or other lounge access options through premium credit cards. The big advantage here is that access is offered regardless of the airline flown.

Related

Which Third-Party Airport Lounge Program Offers The Best Value?

Priority Pass is the biggest and probably best for frequent travel, other options are cheaper for limited travel.

  • Pay-as-you-go access. Many airports offer lounges where you can simply pay on arrival or book through your airline in advance. This makes sense for less frequent travelers or for those who only want access on certain trips.

Related

A Comprehensive Guide To Airport Lounges: Access, Amenities & Etiquette

The world of airport lounges can get confusing – we break things down into a simple introduction.

Will US airlines move to offer lounge access for premium economy?

It is early days for airlines in offering lounge access for premium economy guests. There has certainly been a shift in the industry in recent years to offer more premium economy cabins. This is happening as the top-end first-class cabin options are being reduced.

Related

The Rise Of Premium Economy: Why Some Airlines Have Abandoned First Class

Cabin configurations have changed drastically over the past three decades.

It is likely that more and more airlines will start to offer this. There are important considerations with cost, competition, and available lounge options and space that will stop some carriers from doing it, but it will work for others.

Unfortunately, US airlines will probably be the least likely to do this. The lounge access system is very different in the US, with paid membership programs and credit card access widely established with all major airlines. The airlines are likely to closely follow each other in offerings (we have seen this several times in cabin changes and loyalty program updates), with little incentive for any one airline to make the first move.

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