Once you’re privy to the airport lounge underworld, it’s hard to go back to waiting by the general boarding area. But getting past the pearly gates is no longer as easy as it once was, thanks to increasingly high credit card fees and loyalty status requirements—all the more reason to ensure your lounge network of choice is actually worth the effort.
In the US, travelers have more options to lounge than ever. Since the start of 2025, there’s been a slew of new openings from credit card companies and airlines alike, including the splashy debut of first-ever Delta One lounge at JFK. The airport lounge boom shows no signs of slowing: JetBlue’s first-ever lounge is expected to open in New York City this winter, and Alaska Airlines recently announced a significant lounge expansion plan touching several of its West Coast hubs.
With an influx of new options, it can be challenging to decide which one is best for you. To help, industry research company J.D. Power has released its annual ranking of US airport lounges with the highest customer satisfaction scores.
“Lounges are clearly resonating with travelers, as expanded access through credit card perks and other non-status-related offers has fueled demand, bringing with it the unfortunate side effect of increased crowding,” Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality, and retail at J.D. Power said in a press release. “This is driving the demand for additional lounge space within airport terminals.”
The 2025 list is based on survey responses from 1,430 travelers who had visited a US airport lounge over the last year, with data collected between September and October. The scoring takes into account eight weighted segments, listed in order of importance: experience value, staff, food and beverage, cleanliness, amenities, convenience of access, ambiance, and Wi-Fi. Below, see how each lounge network scored out of 1,000 total points.
American Express Centurion Lounge
Amex’s Centurion Lounge network ranked at the top of J.D. Power’s list, nabbing a high score of 782 (the average score was 758). Many of American Express’ largest Centurion Lounges are in the US, from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Its flagship, which launched in 2020 at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), is complete with amenities such as a speakeasy, an “Equinox Body Lab,” and a dining program led by Ignacio Mattos, a four-time James Beard Award nominee. It’s still almost 3,000 square feet smaller than its newest location, which opened October 28 at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) with an outdoor terrace, a fireplace, three bars (including one dedicated to coffee), and a buffet. Looking ahead, American Express also plans to launch a location at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2026.