Stansted has one terminal, but whether you can use a lounge depends on which gates your flight leaves from. The Escape Lounge in the main terminal has closed, and the only lounge you can now pay to use is Essence by Escape Lounges, near gates 1 to 19. Ryanair and easyJet passengers cannot use it, because their flights leave from other gate areas. If you fly with one of them, there is currently no lounge open to you at Stansted. This page sets out who can use Essence, what you get, and what to do instead if you can't. 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.
Check your airline first
Essence by Escape Lounges is open only to passengers departing from gates 1 to 19. Escape lists these airlines as eligible: Air Algerie, Arkia, British Airways Cityflyer, Corendon Airlines, Emirates, Flyone, HiSky, Jet2, Lufthansa, Pegasus, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SunExpress, TUI and Turkish Airlines. That includes Jet2 and TUI, so many package holidaymakers can use it.
Gates 1 to 19 are reached on the Stansted Transit System, and once you have gone there you cannot return to the main terminal. Do your shopping and eating in the main departure lounge first, then head across.
Essence by Escape Lounges
- Where: airside, near gates 1 to 19. Take the Stansted Transit System to the gates 1 to 19 stop, go up the escalators to departure gate level, and follow the signs for Premium Lounge.
- Included: cold food only, such as sandwiches, salads and light bites, with gluten-free and vegan options. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are unlimited, and a selection of wine and bottled beer is included. Premium alcoholic drinks cost extra. There is fast private Wi-Fi, charging ports, printing and scanning, and access to newspapers and magazines through PressReader. Hot food is not served.
- Children: welcome. Under-3s go free and do not need a booking, children's prices cover ages 3 to 15, and adult prices start at 16. Dress and behaviour must suit a family-friendly lounge, so no fancy dress, offensive slogans or matching stag and hen outfits, and footwear must be worn.
- Timing: you can go in up to three hours before your scheduled departure, depending on your airline's check-in times. Since 25 October it opens from 4.45am to 7.30pm daily, and the food is cleared 30 minutes before closing.
- Booking: pre-booking closes 24 hours before your visit, and walk-up entry on the day costs more. Payment is by card only, and all sales are final. From May to October, groups of more than four are not accepted.
- Suits: anyone flying from gates 1 to 19 who wants a seat away from the gate crowds and a light bite. It is a quiet place to wait rather than somewhere for a full meal.
Emirates also has its own lounge near its departure gates, for First and Business Class passengers and top-tier Skywards members only.
If you fly Ryanair or easyJet
Ryanair and easyJet passengers cannot reach the Essence lounge, and Escape says on its site that the main-terminal lounge is closed and gives no reopening date. Two things can still make the wait easier.
- Security FastTrack: a separate lane straight to the security checkpoint, open 4am to 8pm. You can book it on the day or up to 12 months ahead, and the airport suggests a timeslot about two hours before departure. It is non-refundable unless your booking says otherwise. Infants under 3 go free, and passengers with infants, pushchairs or car seats can use it as long as the rest of the party has bought FastTrack too.
- A seat at a restaurant: the main departure lounge has sit-down restaurants and bars, though they do not take reservations. See our page on shops, food and drink at Stansted Airport for what is there.
Which one for you
- Flying Jet2, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Pegasus or another airline from gates 1 to 19: Essence by Escape Lounges.
- Flying Emirates in Business or First, or with top-tier status: the Emirates lounge.
- Flying Ryanair or easyJet: no lounge is open to you, so consider FastTrack security and a table at one of the restaurants instead.
Escape says spaces are limited, especially in summer, so book ahead if you can. Compare prices and book on our Stansted Airport lounges page. For drop-off charges, how early to arrive and parking, see our guide to flying from Stansted Airport.
Sorted before you fly.
