Bristol Airport has one terminal and two lounges you can pay to use, both run by Escape Lounges and both airside in the departure lounge. The larger Escape Lounge opened in August 2025, and the lounge it replaced now trades as Essence by Escape. This page compares the two: where they are, what is included, the rules on children and when you can go in. If you are still deciding whether a lounge is worth it at all, our guide on whether an airport lounge is worth it covers that.
Escape Lounge
- Where: airside, on the first floor of the departure lounge. You reach it by the walkway next to the Cabin Bar.
- Included: complimentary hot and cold food from breakfast through to the evening, plus tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits. Premium drinks cost extra. There is fast private Wi-Fi, charging points, printing and scanning, quiet work areas, and floor-to-ceiling windows over the apron, which is the only lounge view of the airfield at Bristol. There is lift access.
- Children: welcome. Under-3s go free without a booking, children's prices cover ages 3 to 15, and adult prices start at 16.
- Timing: you can go in up to three hours before your flight, depending on your airline's check-in times. It is open from 3.30am to 7.30pm every day.
- Booking: pre-booking must be made at least 24 hours ahead, and costs less than paying at the door. Walk-ins are accepted when there is space, by card only. Groups of more than six are not taken between May and October. Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey and several other lounge-pass members can use it too, subject to space, and can bring up to three guests.
- Dress: family-friendly clothing and footwear. Fancy dress, offensive clothing and matching stag or hen outfits are not allowed.
- Suits: most travellers, including families, and anyone who wants a proper meal and a view before the flight. It is more than twice the size of the old lounge, but it still fills up on summer mornings.
Essence by Escape Lounges
- Where: airside, on the mezzanine level between Frankie & Benny's and Brigg & Stow, at the other end of the level from the Escape Lounge.
- Included: a chef-curated menu of hot and cold dishes, with gluten-free and vegan options, and complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits. Wi-Fi and charging points are provided.
- Children: welcome, and under-3s go free.
- Timing: entry up to three hours before your flight. Escape lists the same 3.30am to 7.30pm hours as the Escape Lounge.
- Booking: Escape describes it as walk-up only, paid at the door by card, on a first come, first served basis. Priority Pass, DragonPass and Lounge Key members can pre-book a place through their own card schemes.
- Dress: the same family-friendly rules as the Escape Lounge.
- Suits: travellers who decide on the day, lounge-pass holders, and anyone happy with a smaller, simpler room at a lower door price.
Airline lounges
Bristol has no separate airline lounge, so the two Escape lounges are the only ones in the terminal.
Which one for you
- Families and most holiday departures: the Escape Lounge, booked at least a day ahead.
- A view of the aircraft: the Escape Lounge.
- A last-minute decision: Essence by Escape, if it has space when you arrive.
- Priority Pass, DragonPass or Lounge Key members: either lounge, but pre-book Essence through your card scheme in busy periods, because walk-in places can run out.
Both lounges fill up on busy mornings, so book ahead in the school holidays. Compare prices and book on our Bristol Airport lounges page. For parking, drop-off charges and how early to arrive, see our guide to flying from Bristol Airport.
Sorted before you fly.
