Ready to go? Bags packed? Ticket, passport and you're off on your well-deserved holiday. But why wait until boarding your plane for that holiday feel to kick in? After all the hassle of getting to the airport and the endless check-in lines, once you've got your boarding pass, or even before, you can leave the crowds behind and relax like a VIP in one of the many airport lounges available at international airport across the UK.



No longer the exclusive domain of VIPs and business travellers, more and more operators now offer lounges accessible by anyone who is willing to pay a few extra pounds to enjoy this service. The two main options are ?airside? lounges, located after passport control, and ?landside? lounges, located before passport control.

?Landside? lounges will let you take your relatives or friends along who have come to see you off, giving them the feel of a short holiday and probably making them even more jealous. ?Airside lounges? offer a great start to your holiday, letting you relax and collect your thoughts before boarding the plane.

The majority of lounges provide drinks such as tea, coffee, juice and a selection of alcoholic drinks, along with snacks like biscuits and crisps. For a bubbly send-off, champagne is usually available at an extra cost. Other amenities include plush seating, often with prime views of the tarmac, and air-conditioning. Newspapers, magazines, internet access and business centres with fax and photocopying facilities are standard features in most lounges.

Depending on the operator and location, lounges have different policies for children and the disabled. Some will not admit accompanying children below the age of 12 years, while others allow younger kids, but not infants. Customers in wheelchairs are usually requested to notify the operator in advance so that necessary arrangements can be made. Most lounges are strictly non-smoking, while some have special smoking areas. Dress codes also apply and are usually smart-casual. You are allowed to arrive at the lounge no more than 3 hours before the departure of your plane. Lounges typically open early in the morning and close between 21:00 and 22:30.

The best way to book access to a lounge is online, which provide easy booking forms and let you check availability for the date you travel. You can also get details on the lounge of your choice, including facilities, rates, disabled access, smoking and so on. Lounges can be found at a dozen airports across the UK, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Luton, Birmingham, Newcastle, East Midlands, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stansted and Leeds Bradford. Some airports such as Heathrow have a lounge in each terminal.

The mother of all UK airport lounges is probably the massive Holideck, operated by KLM Groundservices, at Heathrow Airport. Spanning three floors, its Main Deck includes a family lounge and an interactive game zone for children. On the Upper Deck is a sports bar with live sports broadcasts as well as a smoking room. The Flight Deck offers stunning panoramic views of Heathrow's runways. Bookings can be made online and there is also a walk-in rate.