Rome Fiumicino’s Plaza Premium Lounge has been named the best independent airport lounge in Europe, taking second place worldwide in Skytrax’s 2026 ranking. The result gives Italy’s main international gateway the continent’s highest-ranked lounge, while airports in London, Vienna, Istanbul and Munich also appear among the global top 20.
The ranking was announced at the 2026 World Airline Awards and is based on feedback from travellers worldwide. Passenger responses covered areas including lounge facilities and staff hospitality.
Rome lounge leads the European rankings
The Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome Fiumicino Airport placed second overall, behind the Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Its position made it the highest-rated lounge in Europe in this year’s list of the world’s best independent airport lounges.
Only two European facilities reached the overall top 10. Plaza Premium’s lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4 ranked fourth, giving the UK airport one of the strongest European showings in the survey.
Other European entries in the top 20 were:
- Vienna Lounge at Vienna International Airport — 12th
- iGA Lounge at Istanbul Airport — 17th
- Airport Lounge World at Munich Airport Terminal 1 — 18th
The results highlight the range of independent airport lounges available to passengers who may not be travelling in a premium cabin or holding airline-specific status.
North American lounges dominate the top positions
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia took first place in the global ranking. A second Chase Sapphire facility, at Hong Kong International Airport, ranked third.
Several lounges operated by major financial services brands also performed strongly. Capital One lounges at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport ranked fifth and 13th respectively. American Express Centurion lounges at JFK, LaGuardia and Tokyo Haneda also featured in the list.
The complete top five were:
- Chase Sapphire Lounge, LaGuardia Airport
- Plaza Premium, Rome Fiumicino Airport
- Chase Sapphire Lounge, Hong Kong International Airport
- Plaza Premium, London Heathrow Terminal 4
- Capital One, John F. Kennedy International Airport
Beyond Europe and North America, the list included highly rated facilities in Bangkok, Bahrain, Muscat, Dubai, Bengaluru and Auckland.
Plaza Premium named leading lounge group
Plaza Premium Group also topped Skytrax’s ranking of the world’s best independent airport lounge groups. The company had three individual lounges in the global top 20: Rome, London and Dubai.
It was followed in the group ranking by TAV Primeclass, Chase Sapphire Lounges, Capital One Lounges and Coral Lounge Group. American Express Centurion Lounges, Aspire Lounges, Escape Lounges, Araya Lounges and CATRION Lounges completed the top 10.
According to the company, this was the tenth consecutive year that Plaza Premium Group received the best independent lounge group award. The recognition reflects the company’s focus on serving passengers across different airlines and travel classes.
What the airport lounge ranking means for travellers
Airport lounges have become an increasingly visible part of the passenger experience. While access rules vary, independent lounges can often be used by travellers through paid entry, lounge membership programmes, selected credit cards or airline and travel packages.
A ranking based on passenger satisfaction can help travellers compare facilities, but the experience may still depend on factors such as:
- Access conditions and booking requirements
- Opening hours and peak-time crowding
- Food and drink availability
- Showers, work areas and family facilities
- Location within the terminal and distance from the departure gate
- Whether access is included with a ticket, membership or payment
Travellers should check the latest terms directly with the lounge or their access provider, particularly when flying from a large airport with multiple terminals.
European airports represented across the list
The European results span several major international hubs. Rome Fiumicino’s second-place finish was the standout performance, but London Heathrow, Vienna, Istanbul and Munich also secured places in the top 20.
That spread gives passengers a useful snapshot of where independent lounge facilities received strong reviews in the 2026 survey. It also shows that the best-rated lounges are not limited to one airport model or region: the ranking includes facilities operated by specialist lounge companies, financial brands and airport service groups.
Conclusion
The 2026 ranking places Rome Fiumicino firmly at the top of Europe’s independent airport lounge market, with its Plaza Premium Lounge finishing second worldwide. London, Vienna, Istanbul and Munich also feature among the leading facilities, giving European travellers several highly rated options when planning their next journey.
