London Stansted lounges: what there is, who can use it, and what it costs

Stansted's lounge story changed with the airport's terminal works. The old Escape Lounge in the main departure lounge has closed, and its replacement, Essence by Escape Lounges, sits out at the Gates 1-19 satellite, which means Ryanair and easyJet passengers cannot reach it. The only other lounge belongs to Emirates. Here is each one, who gets in, the prices as the operators publish them, and what to do if neither is open to you.

The short answer

If your airline flies from Gates 1-19, the list includes Jet2, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and Emirates, book Essence by Escape Lounges: from £28.99 pre-booked or £35 at the door, entry up to three hours before your flight, Priority Pass accepted. Flying Emirates in First or Business, or as a Skywards Gold or Platinum member, use the Emirates Lounge, which has showers and boards straight to the aircraft. On Ryanair or easyJet there is no lounge you can use, so book FastTrack and eat well in the main departure lounge instead.

Passengers boarding a Boeing 737 by the steps on the apron at Stansted Airport

Main terminal, Gates 1-19 satellite

Essence by Escape Lounges

Airside: take the transit train to the Gates 1-19 stop, go up the escalators to departure gate level and follow the signs for Premium Lounge

Only for passengers flying with Air Algérie, Arkia, British Airways CityFlyer, Corendon Airlines, Emirates, FlyOne, HiSky, Jet2, Lufthansa, Pegasus, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SunExpress, TUI and Turkish Airlines; Ryanair and easyJet passengers cannot use it. Pre-book from £28.99 a person at least 24 hours ahead, or walk up from £35; infants under 3 free. Entry from three hours before departure. Priority Pass and LoungeKey cardholders reserve through the Seat Reservations portal and DragonPass members through DragonPass, for themselves and up to three guests, subject to availability.

Hours: 04:45 to 20:15 daily; food is cleared 30 minutes before close

Cold food: salads, sandwiches and light bites
Wine and bottled beer
Unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks
Fast wifi
Charging points
Print, scan and copy
Digital newspapers and magazines
Flight information screens
Family-friendly

A calm, simple space close to your gate, with cold food, wine and beer: worth it on a longer flight if your airline is on the list, less so for a short hop.

Best for Jet2, TUI, Turkish and Lufthansa passengers who want a quiet seat near the gate.

Main terminal, Satellite 1

Emirates Lounge

Airside, a two to three-minute walk from the Emirates gates, with boarding direct from the lounge

Emirates First and Business Class passengers, Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, and their eligible guests travelling on Emirates from Stansted. No paid entry is published.

Shower suites
Seasonal farm-to-table menu
Premium spirits, fine wines and champagne
High-speed wifi
Direct boarding to the aircraft

The best room at Stansted: 900 square metres for up to 125 guests, a seasonal farm-to-table menu, champagne and showers, and you walk from your seat to the aircraft.

Best for Emirates premium passengers and Skywards Gold and Platinum members flying to Dubai.

Is a lounge worth it at Stansted?

For most Stansted passengers the question answers itself: Ryanair and easyJet carry the bulk of the traffic, and neither can reach Essence. If you can, it is a fair price for what it is. Pre-booked from £28.99, you get up to three hours before your flight with cold food, wine, beer and soft drinks, and a seat away from the main departure lounge, close to the Gates 1-19 satellite where your flight leaves. There is no hot food, so on a long flight after an early start, a proper breakfast in the main departure lounge before you take the transit train may serve you better.

Once you board the transit train to Gates 1-19 you cannot come back to the main departure lounge, so shop and eat first.

Essence, pre-booked: From £28.99
Essence, at the door: From £35
Entry: Up to 3 hours before departure
Ryanair and easyJet: No access

Flying Ryanair or easyJet: what to do instead

No. The airport says Ryanair and easyJet passengers cannot use Essence because of where it is. Buy Security FastTrack instead, from £6.49 a person between 04:00 and 20:00, and spend the time at a table: Comptoir Libanais and Terracotta Italian Kitchen open from 04:00, Bottega Prosecco Bar pours from 04:00 to 22:00, and Harris + Hoole is open 24 hours. The airport's terminal extension will add a new lounge.

With Priority Pass, DragonPass or LoungeKey

Yes, at Essence by Escape Lounges, and only if your airline is one of the eligible ones. Priority Pass and LoungeKey members reserve in the Seat Reservations portal and DragonPass members in the DragonPass portal; the operator notes a fee for cardholder reservations, and that a reserved seat is released if you arrive more than two hours after the booked time. Without a reservation, entry is subject to space on the day. Bring the physical or digital card to show at the desk. Cards do not open the Emirates Lounge.

Lounges for families

Essence calls itself family-friendly and lets in infants under 3 free, with children welcome at the paid price. Between May and October it does not take bookings for groups of more than four, so a family of five or more should book two parties. Matching outfits for hen and stag groups, fancy dress and offensive slogans are refused at the door, and the lounge is cashless.

When the lounge is full

Essence keeps a limited number of spaces and the airport advises booking early, especially in summer. Pre-booking, at least 24 hours ahead, is both cheaper and the only way to guarantee a seat; walk-up and cardholder entry depend on space. If it is full, the main departure lounge has 24-hour coffee at Pret, Caffè Nero and Harris + Hoole.

The full guide: London Stansted

Questions people ask

Good questions about London Stansted

How many lounges does Stansted have?

Two: Essence by Escape Lounges at the Gates 1-19 satellite, open to passengers of selected airlines, and the Emirates Lounge for Emirates premium passengers. The old Escape Lounge in the main terminal has closed.

Can Ryanair passengers use a lounge at Stansted?

No. The airport says Ryanair and easyJet passengers cannot access Essence because of its location at Gates 1-19.

How much is the lounge at Stansted?

Essence by Escape Lounges is from £28.99 pre-booked at least 24 hours ahead, or from £35 at the door. Infants under 3 are free.

Does Stansted have a Priority Pass lounge?

Yes, Essence by Escape Lounges, for passengers on eligible airlines. Reserve through the Seat Reservations portal or walk in if there is space.

What time does the Stansted lounge open?

Essence is open daily from 04:45 to 20:15, and you can enter up to three hours before your flight.

Does the Emirates Lounge at Stansted have showers?

Yes, shower suites, along with a seasonal menu, champagne and boarding straight from the lounge to the aircraft.

Can I bring children into the Stansted lounge?

Yes. Essence is family-friendly and infants under 3 go free, but between May and October groups larger than four cannot book together.

Image credits: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). (CC BY-SA 4.0)