For frequent flyers and familiar credit card holders, the preferred pass is a comfort passport. Currently, the independent lounge network spans over 1,700 airport lounges, restaurants and experiences at 725 airports in 145 countries, with access to a reasonable calm oras before your flight. Although quality varies widely from location to location, travelers themselves have helped them again identify the outstanding ones at the 2025 Priority Pass Excellence Awards.
Formerly known as the Lounge of the Year Award, the award returned the post-pandemic in 2024, and interest exploded. This year, 781,000 verified traveler ratings and reviews have been submitted through the Priority Pass app, more than doubled the 379,966 submitted in 2024. That surge in participation has surfaced both exciting newcomers and some familiar favorites since last year.
2025 has proven to be a breakout year for Latin America. Not only did the Brazilian lounge win the Global Lounge of the Year title, but it also won the All-Star of the Year award – the extraordinary lounge staff, and only won team members from Brazil, Colombia and Argentina.
How excellent awards are awarded
With such a vast global network, Priority Pass Excellence Awards help travelers identify which lounges really stand out. The awards are divided into three main categories:
- Lounge of the Year Award: These winners are determined by reviews that travelers were rude through the Priority Pass app between January 2024 and January 2025. The rating ratings the quality of hospitality, food and drinks, facilities, and overall satisfaction. One winner is chosen by region. In most regions, it has also been named as a highly acclaimed runner-up. The global winner is the top-rate lounge in all regions.
- Pioneer of the Year Award: These honors recognize lounges pushing boundaries with innovative services, including sustainable practices, cutting-edge designs and enhanced digital experiences. The winners will be nominated for Priority Pass Partners and will be selected by the judges.
- All Star of the Year Award: These are highlighting the people behind the experience. This is a learning lounge employee who has learned to go up to provide excellent service. Like the Pioneer Award, these have been nominated for partners and panel selection.
This year, Latin America swept all three All-Star Awards, while the Asia-Pacific and Europe brought back most of their pioneer titles, demonstrating global excellence within the network.
New recipients, repeated favourites, global shifts
The 2025 awards reflect not only increased member involvement, but also changes in regional dynamics. In Europe, both the Vienna Lounge in Venice and the Marco Polo Club held placements in 2024. Last year, Vienna was the global lounge of the year, breaking through every other location in the traveler score. This year, it retained the regional crown, but handed the global spotlight to Belo Horizonte’s Brazilian Advantage VIP Lounge, which won top honors around the world.
This shows the continued rise of the Advantage VIP Lounge brand. In 2024, the front post base at Curitiba Afonso Pena International Airport in Advantage was named the Best of Latin America. In 2025, another lounge in that lounge (now in Belohorizonte) won the same region’s honor and rose to the top global spot.
In the Middle East and Africa, the Prime Class Lounge at Muscat International Airport went from runner-up last year to regional winners in 2025, reflecting increased member satisfaction with its services and amenities.
Among the pioneers of this year’s awardees, two lounges were recognized for pioneering innovation and were able to do so in a completely different way. At Nice-Cote d’Azur Airport, France, both the Infinity Lounge (Terminal 2) and the Library Lounge (Terminal 1) were recognized for the integration of emerging technologies, including AI-assisted voice feedback and robotics concierge services. These enhancements streamline the traveler experience without compromising the relaxed charm of the Riviera. In India, the 080 lounge, which will establish both domestic and international passengers at Kempegovda International Airport in Bangalore, praised the local, ingrained sustainability initiative. Operated by Bengaluru Airport Services Limited, the lounge achieved 40% energy savings, used eco-friendly materials, adopted a 50-mile concept and sourced the materials locally. With weekend perks like Sunday Brunch, the green spirit was warmly welcomed, not clinical.
Meanwhile, the All-Star of the Year Awards became more sensitive to outstanding staff members from Colombia, Argentina and Brazil. Travelers praised these team members for guiding an overwhelming family, helping with nervous first-time flyers and keeping themselves consistently ahead, whether they simply provide sincere hospitality. Their efforts helped solidify Latin America’s domination at this year’s awards.
Global winner: Advantage VIP Lounge, Belohorizonte, Brazil
The Advantage VIP Lounge at Terminal 1 at Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves International Airport won the coveted title of the 2025 Global Lounge of the Year.
This domestic terminal retreat was impressed by travelers, including its authentic Brazilian cuisine. Cows packed (Short rib stew), okra and chicken, cheese and guava. The decoration combines warmth and elegance, and is a fast track entry system for domestic travelers through walnut wood finishes and private security checkpoints. (An international guest can continue to visit by navigating to Terminal 1 and entering near boarding gate 2 – Post Security -)
Winning is an advantage brand milestone. Rute Scheliga, CEO of Advantage VIP Lounge, said:
2025 Priority Pass Lounge Winner
Below are the top performance lounges and individual recipients of the year, organized by geographical regions.
North America
- Lounge of the Year, winner: Mexico City Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico Grand Lounge Elite, Terminal 1, Mexico
- It’s highly praised: Escap Lounge, Concourse A, Kansas City International Airport, USA
Europe
- Lounge of the Year, winner: Vienna Lounge, Vienna Airport, Austria
- It’s highly praised: Marco Polo Club, Venice Marco Polo Airport, Italy
- This year’s Pioneer: Infinity Lounge (T2) and Library Lounge (T1), Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, France
- This year’s Pioneer: Kepler Hotel & Lounge, Riga International Airport, Latvia
Latin America and the Caribbean
- Lounge of the Year, winner: Advantage VIP Lounge, Terminal 1, Belohorizonte Airport, Brazil
- It’s highly praisedDominican Republic, Punta Cana International Airport, Terminal B2 domestic, VIP Lounge Punta Cana
- All Star of the Year: Christina Isabel Escobar Sanchez, Cumbia Lounge, Baranquila Airport, Colombia
- All Star of the Year: Nansi Quintana, Amae Lounge, Rosario Airport, Argentina
- All Star of the Year: Guilherme Queiroz Da Silva, BRT Lounge, Porto Seguro Airport, Brazil
Middle East and Africa
- This year’s loungePrim Class Lounge, Muscat International Airport, Oman
Asia Pacific
- Lounge of the Year, winner: Kyra Lounge, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport
- It’s highly praised: Oriental Club Lounge, Taean International Airport, Taiwan
- This year’s Pioneer:080 Domestic and International Lounges, Kempegoda International Airport, India
- This year’s Pioneer: Kepler Club, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia
While we praise the lounges ranked by travelers, it is worth noting that in the distance it ranks and explains in detail their own list of 10 priority pass lounges in the world.
How to access these award-winning lounges
As a reminder, you can access most of these lounges for free. Why? Remember that preferred pass membership is a benefit of many travel credit cards, including:
Preferred Pass membership allows travelers to access participating lounges on their flight dates and take two guests free of charge, regardless of airline or class of service.
Terms apply to American Express profits and offers. Registration may be required for American Express selection and offers. visit AmericanExpress.com For more information.
