Lounge operator Airport Dimensions has released a new report detailing passenger attitudes on airport facility crowding and premium services. The 2025 report, entitled “Unlocking Traveler Value in the Evolving Airport Ecosystem,” which surveyed more than 10,000 regular travelers, found that 66% of travelers felt that airports had gotten more crowded over the past two years. The report went on to note that 62% of travelers were willing to pay for premium services, including lounge access, and that 42% of respondents had visited a lounge in the past year. In addition, 33% of respondents stated that they would be willing to pay per visit, 45% were willing to change banks to keep their lounge benefits and 97% of respondents reported an unwillingness to relinquish their lounge benefits.
Outside of lounge benefits, 53% respondents reported an interest in entertainment amenities, 50% reported an interest in family-focused spaces and 49% reported an interest in sleep pod amenities. Respondents also expressed their hopes for current airport space usage, with 51% of travelers requesting more seating, 38% requesting temporary or pop-up lounge spaces and 36% requesting pop-up retail concepts to take over current airport terminals. Finally, respondents reported a need for additional digital infrastructure, with 56% of those surveyed requesting a single airport app to provide real-time line tracking and lounge access data for their favorite services.
“The data shows that enhancing the airport journey is no longer a luxury — it’s becoming a core expectation,” said Stephen Hay, global strategy director for Airport Dimensions. “We’re seeing strong interest in premium amenities across a broad range of markets, including in places like Spain where uptake has historically been lower. This signals a real shift in traveler mindset, and growing demand for premium experiences globally. As travel continues to grow and passenger expectations evolve, airports that anticipate and adapt to these changing needs will not only improve satisfaction, but also carve out a stronger competitive edge in a crowded marketplace.”
