Plaza Premium Lounge at Dubai International Airport ranks among the world’s top independent lounges, while Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden in Doha takes the global business-class lounge title
Airport lounges are increasingly becoming an important part of the premium travel experience, offering passengers a place to dine, work, relax or unwind before a flight. The 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards have highlighted two Middle Eastern lounges among the global leaders: Plaza Premium Lounge at Dubai International Airport and Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The rankings form part of Skytrax’s annual passenger satisfaction survey, conducted between September 2025 and August 2026. The survey included travellers from more than 100 nationalities and evaluates passenger experiences across the airline industry.
Plaza Premium Lounge, Dubai International Airport
Plaza Premium Group was named the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge Group at the 2026 World Airline Awards, while its Plaza Premium Lounge at Dubai International Airport ranked 10th in the World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges category.
The individual award went to the Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York LaGuardia Airport. Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome Fiumicino ranked second, followed by the Chase Sapphire Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Plaza Premium also placed fourth with its London Heathrow Terminal 4 lounge.
The Dubai lounge is located in the international departures area of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. Unlike airline-operated lounges that are generally linked to a particular carrier or cabin class, Plaza Premium operates as an independent lounge, allowing eligible travellers to purchase access. Its Dubai facility offers food and beverage services, Wi-Fi, flight information, private resting areas, family facilities, a prayer room and shower facilities.
The Dubai lounge also forms part of Plaza Premium Group’s wider independent lounge network, which spans airports across multiple international markets.
Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, said in Skytrax’s testimonials: “Twenty-six years ago, we introduced the world’s first independent airport lounge concept, and we have come a long way.”
Skytrax World’s Best Independent Airport Lounges 2026
- Chase Sapphire Lounge – New York LaGuardia
- Plaza Premium – Rome Fiumicino
- Chase Sapphire Lounge – Hong Kong
- Plaza Premium – London Heathrow Terminal 4
- Capital One – New York JFK
- American Express Centurion – New York JFK
- Coral Cosmo Lounge – Bangkok
- The Pearl – Bahrain
- Primeclass Lounge – Muscat
- Plaza Premium – Dubai International Airport
Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden, Doha
Doha secured the top position in the airline-operated business-class lounge category, with Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport named the World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge 2026.
The award forms part of a strong showing for Qatar Airways in the 2026 business-class categories. The airline was also named the World’s Best Business Class Airline, while its Qsuite was recognised as the World’s Best Business Class Seat.
Located in the northern expansion of Hamad International Airport, The Garden spans 7,390 square metres and can accommodate up to 707 passengers. Its design incorporates natural light and extensive greenery, reflecting the tropical gardens and water features of The Orchard below.
The lounge includes 24 quiet rooms, seven spa treatment rooms, a fitness studio and relaxation areas overlooking The Orchard. Dining options range from hot and cold buffets and sushi to salads, coffee and patisserie, cocktails and bistro offerings, as well as à la carte dining.
Access is complimentary for eligible Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers, as well as qualifying oneworld First and Business Class passengers. Qatar Airways also permits Business Class Lite and Economy Class passengers to purchase lounge access, subject to the airline’s applicable terms.
The lounge’s positioning around wellness, greenery and relaxation reflects the growing role of airport lounges as destinations in their own right rather than simply waiting areas between flights.
Hamad Al Khater, Qatar Airways Group CEO, said: “These awards belong to our people. Sixty thousand colleagues deliver the best experience in the world for our passengers every day.”
Skytrax World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounges 2026
- Qatar Airways – Doha
- Air Canada – Toronto Pearson
- Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong
- Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow
- Singapore Airlines – Singapore Changi
- Iberia – Madrid
- Delta Air Lines – New York JFK
- Turkish Airlines – Istanbul
- Air France – Paris Charles de Gaulle
- United Airlines – Chicago O’Hare
The 2026 results underline the increasingly differentiated role of airport lounges across the premium travel landscape. From independent facilities accessible regardless of airline or cabin to expansive airline-operated spaces combining dining, wellness and private relaxation, lounges are becoming an increasingly important component of the overall passenger experience.
