Tranquility is the new watchword in airport lounges. Along with comfort and convenience, airlines strive to give business- and first-class passengers a sense of well-being before takeoff. This aim of creating a warm and welcoming environment rings loud and clear in the airlines’ descriptions of their new clubs and lounges.

Japan Airlines strives for “peace of mind,” while Lufthansa’s new Senator Lounge at Newark Liberty Airport features a backlit wall “depicting a serene forest,” and all Emirates lounges have a water feature “that adds to the lounges’ tranquil ambience.” Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge at Sydney Airport and British Airway’s Concorde Room at London Heathrow are both based on a “home away from home” concept.

As airlines upgrade and design new lounges, their ambience is getting full attention. Opened just this June at Los Angeles International Airport, the new Qantas, British Airways and Cathay Pacific business lounge for oneworld passengers in the Tom Bradley International Terminal features a communal fireplace to give a convivial, homey touch to the contemporary, 400-passenger space. Last year, when the first lounge opened at the new LAX terminal, serving EVA Air’s Royal Laurel Class and other Star Alliance guests, its design included “cozy fire pits and a relaxing water wall” in addition to an open-air terrace with views to the Hollywood Hills.

When EVA Air opened its own newest VIP lounge, The Infinity, in Terminal 2 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport last year, its futuristic décor featured a twinkling, star-lit ceiling, a sky tree and soothingly curved walls.

At London Heathrow, the new Terminal 5 allowed British Airways to radically overhaul its lounges. The Concorde Room, while maintaining its role as the epitome of elegance, takes its inspiration from 5-star boutique hotels, designed as “a calm and inviting space” where luxurious furnishings and artwork create what the airline terms “a unique and stylish home away from home.” BA speaks of its welcoming environment, inviting passengers to “find yourself in a sanctuary away from the world.”

American Airlines and Iberia opened a new Admirals Club/Iberia VIP Lounge at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. Along with the expected amenities and a complimentary self-service bar and coffee bar, the 5,000-square-foot club’s focal point is a curving wooden wall the length of the lounge, “bringing rhythm and warmth to the space.”

In December 2013, Singapore Airlines unveiled its new-concept SilverKris Lounge in Sydney as part of a multimillion-dollar investment to upgrade all its airport lounges worldwide. The carrier will introduce the new design, modeled after elements of a home, to all SilverKris lounges over the next five years, with those at London Heathrow, Hong Kong International and Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 3 opening this year.

“Each space is thoughtfully designed to create the ambience of home that is familiar and comforting, adding to the warm, authentic and personalized service,” explains Tan Pee Teck, senior vice president, Singapore Airlines.

When Japan Airlines revamped its Sakura Lounges in Haneda Airport’s International Terminal earlier this year, it announced a new theme — “Welcome! JAL New Sky” — based on the concept of “a spacious environment with the goal of delivering peace of mind.” Central to JAL’s redesign is Japanese hospitality, reflected in the classic style with distinctive Japanese elements such as latticework, sakura cherry blossom motifs and traditional art. The new bar counter at the Sakura Lounge-Sky View is decorated by calligrapher Souun Takeda.

Japan Airlines’ serene Sakura Lounge in Haneda Airport’s International Terminal © JAL

This attention to local themes is not unique to JAL; others strive to give travelers a sense of place even if they are only passing through. At Heathrow, the centerpiece of the United Global First Lounge is an oversized Big Ben-style clock overlooking a tea lounge.

Local themes play well with the LAX Star Alliance Lounge’s sustainable and environmental focus. The contemporary interpretation of modernist Los Angeles architecture not only introduces local flavor with black-and-white photos but also uses locally sourced products and furniture wherever possible, such as ceramic tile walls by local artisans. Working closely with the Green Building Council of America ensured all materials and furniture are sustainable.

Premium lounges also spotlight the locale with traditional food specialties, and the oneworld business lounge at the LAX International Terminal does this in a unique way. In a setting of contemporary design reflecting California culture, food carts echo L.A.’s pop-up dining scene with freshly prepared favorites such as Asian-spiced chicken wings and crumbed cod tacos with red cabbage slaw and lime chipotle mayo.

In the dining area, guests select dishes influenced by multicultural California — Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Korean and West Coast — and select signature cocktails or premium California wines. Says Qantas CEO Simon Hickey, “It is designed to reflect the culture of California while providing a place to relax, socialize and work before a flight.” Singapore Airlines is introducing its Taste of Singapore to SilverKris lounges in 15 cities, with Singaporean favorites such as laksa and mee siam offered along with choices from worldwide cuisines and premium wines.

The Cathay Pacific first- and business-class lounge at San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal, modeled on the airline’s lounges in Hong Kong, features Cathay Pacific’s signature Noodle Bar, offering freshly prepared dan dan mien and wonton noodles in soup. Western and Asian dishes are also available from the self-service counter.

Last year’s renovations at Cathay’s first-class lounge in The Wing, its flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, doubled the size of popular dining area The Haven and expanded the buffet and à la carte menu to offer an extensive choice of appetizers, Asian and Western entrées, and desserts. Outside The Haven is a full-service bar, and a new Champagne Bar offers Champagne selections throughout the day, greeting passengers with a welcome drink on arrival.

Dining options at Iberia’s three VIP lounges at Madrid-Barajas Airport are designed for each one’s clientele: Short- and medium-haul Dalí and Goya VIP lounges serve panini, sandwiches, hearty salads, Spanish ham and snacks, while long-haul passengers in Velázquez are offered full meals highlighting Iberian specialties. LOT Polish Airlines uses traditional Polish products in all dishes at its business lounge at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Cold cuts, always available, include Polish hams and cured meats, and the self-service bar stocks a wide selection of vodkas.

Emirates Skywards Platinum or Gold members and first- or business-class passengers can unwind in 35 dedicated airport lounges with separate dining areas, each with an extensive menu of hot and cold dishes (Arabic, Far Eastern, Western or vegetarian) prepared from seasonal ingredients by on-site chefs, and complimentary full-bar service that includes Champagne and premium spirits. In the first-class lounge at Dubai International Airport, passengers can taste and purchase fine wines at The Wine Cellar.

At Heathrow, the fully staffed Concorde Bar offers British Airways FIRST customers wines and spirits from across the world, along with freshly prepared meals served in private booths. The United Global First Lounge features a buffet, wine room and pre-flight dining from an à la carte menu, while The United Club, for BusinessFirst passengers, includes a full-service bar and two buffet areas. Virgin Atlantic’s Heathrow Clubhouse features a complimentary cocktail bar, a deli and brasserie for à la carte meals in a formal dining setting or ordered from personal “relaxation nooks.”

Food and drink aren’t the only amenities airlines use to woo premium passengers. Creature comforts rank high on pre-flight priorities, and airlines understand it’s not all play and no work in premium lounges. Anticipating needs of busy travelers who must make use of every minute, high-speed connectivity, printing, fax, copy services and even tablet computers are almost taken for granted, and most lounges provide power outlets and USB ports for recharging.

Emirates lounges worldwide include conference rooms, as does BA’s Concorde Room at Heathrow. Emirates first-class lounges in Dubai cosset guests in leather sofas and offer dedicated cigar lounges and free shoe shines. Especially convenient is Concourse A, offering the world’s first multilevel boarding direct from first- and business-class lounges. JAL’s new Sakura Lounge at Haneda features massage chairs, and the United Club at Heathrow offers seven private phone booths. Adjacent to it and the Global First Lounge, eight large shower suites provide complimentary toiletries and valet service to press and steam clothing. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses at Heathrow, London Gatwick and New York JFK include spas offering complimentary facials, massages, manicures and shaving/styling services.

As airlines upgrade more lounges, look for them to follow the lead of BA’s Concorde Room and Cathay Pacific’s first-class lounge in The Wing in Hong Kong, which offer private cabanas. These are furnished with comfortable day beds and private en-suite baths, assuring privacy and a quiet sanctuary.

Munich Airport’s VIP Wing © Munich AIrport

While most premium lounges are exclusively for certain airlines or alliances, Munich Airport again leads the way in airport innovation with its VIP Wing in Terminal 1. This bright, luxurious lounge is available to paying guests, regardless of ticket class or carrier, who seek individual attention and VIP services. Chauffeured limousines shuttle them in luxury from and to the aircraft, and the lounge is staffed by multilingual personal assistants who can organize all flight-related processes — immigration, check-in, baggage handling, tax refund and Customs clearance — while guests relax in the VIP Lounge. Here they find a private open-air garden, an upscale bar, spacious bath and shower facilities and a cigar lounge. Guests can even select an individually designed private suite or reserve a fully equipped conference suite.