Washington Dulles Airport has one British Airways lounge, which features in our best airport lounges at Washington Dulles, but there is an alternative lounge that your ticket should give you access that is a better choice. Add to this, there are four Priority Pass lounges, which are all a short walk from each other and are also worth considering.
We have already reviewed the best executive or club lounges in Washington DC.
Free Airport Lounge Access
If you have not paid for Business Class or First Class, you can access airport lounges for free if you have an unlimited Priority Pass or an Amex Platinum card. To get extra bonus referral points and advice on the Platinum American Express and other free lounge access credit cards, have a read of our best credit cards for luxury travel.
1. Air France KLM lounge, Concourse A
The recently renovated Air France KLM lounge is located in Concourse A and is actually a better choice than the British Airways lounge if you are looking for the best airport lounge at Washington Dulles. This lounge is actually better than the British Airways Galleries Lounge at Washington Dulles. Even if you have free access to the BA lounge, you might want to consider accessing this lounge instead.
This Air France KLM Lounge can also be accessed by Business Class and First Class passengers with a same-day boarding pass for an Air France or KLM international flight as well as Korean Air and Aeroflot international flights. Economy passengers can buy a same-day pass. This lounge is also free at certain times if you have a Priority Pass.
The look inside this lounge is smart with double-height floor-to-ceiling windows to one side, and everything has a rounded theme with a rounded buffet area and lighting features.
The food, in particular, is significantly better than the food in the BA lounge, which offers snacks rather than a full meal. By contrast, the Air France KLM lounge has a variety of food, which includes the standard snack bowls of crisps and nuts, plus sandwiches, pizza, soup, cheeses, fruits, salad, and veggies. There are also some cups of cut fruit, including kiwi and strawberries, and some pre-prepared fresh sandwiches which taste good.
You can order alcoholic drinks at a manned bar, and Champagne is available. There is also a shower and a printer in this lounge.
The BA lounge reportedly has better internet speed and a business center, so if these are more important to you than food, the BA lounge isn’t a bad choice.
1. British Airways Galleries Lounge and the First Lounge, Concourse B
If you are flying in First Class, the British Airways Galleries Lounge is your best lounge choice. if you are flying in Business Class, consider the Air France KLM lounge above as a better alternative.
The First Lounge and Business British Airways lounges are both within the same lounge area, with the First Class section partitioned off, with a rather odd design that resembles one long, narrow corridor.
Galleries Lounge is also a Priority Pass lounge but is only open to Priority Pass cardholders at certain times. If you visit this lounge before an American Airlines flight, it’s worth knowing that AA’s gates are just a short walk away. The British Airways gates are also nearby.
First-class diners have access to the Concorde Dining Room, which has the best menu in the lounge. In the business lounge, a buffet features small but tasty sandwiches, fruit and cheese, salad, and soup. There are also snacks like crisps, biscuits, fruit, and yogurt. Fully stocked fridges containing soft drinks and beer are opposite the food. Spirits can be ordered from the bartender. An espresso machine is good for making drinks, and there is a small business center with workstations.
If you have Concorde dining, this lounge is very good. If you don’t, it is a rather odd BA lounge and not one of the best.
3. Turkish Airlines Lounge
If you are flying on British Airways and have a Priority Pass, you might want to consider visiting the Turkish Airlines lounge, which is the best Priority Pass lounge at Washington Dulles airport. This is a small airport lounge, but it has a huge advantage over all the other Priority Pass lounges at Washington Dulles. You can access this lounge whenever you like, and the food and drink offerings remain consistent throughout the day. In the other Priority Pass lounges at Washington Dulles, the food and drink on offer are severely reduced when the lounge is opened up to Priority Pass members, which is a huge disappointment.
The Turkish Airlines Lounge is divided into seating, work, and dining areas. Turkish Airlines’ Business Class passengers can use this lounge along with premium travelers on other Star Alliance carriers. This lounge is open from 6:00 am – 11:00 pm daily. Unlike some other Priority Pass lounges at IAD, this lounge is open to Priority Pass customers for the whole duration of the day.
The lounge’s look is stylish with a hint of Turkey, and there’s a bowl of complimentary Turkish delight at the entrance, which you will love (or hate depending on your tastes). The buffet offers good food with plenty of cold items, two hot soups; tomato and lentil, fresh bread, and hot spinach and cheese pastries. This food the best spread of any Priority Pass lounge at Washington Dulles.
Under the counter are two refrigerators containing canned sodas and bottled waters. There are also complimentary alcoholic drinks. and snacks in jars, including cookies and nuts, which you can help yourself to.
The seating in the lounge is reportedly a little worn, but on the bright side, there are floor-to-ceiling on one side of this lounge, which is great for watching the planes. There’s also a prayer room, bathrooms, and a shower.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
