Going on holiday? Can’t wait to get started? Once at the airport, there’s no need to wait until you board the plane to start your holiday. Airport lounges are available at a dozens UK airports and can be accessed even before you clear passport control. Here you can get away from the crowds and packed terminals while relaxing in air-conditioned comfort.

There’s no need to fly business or first class or be on a fat expense account, as more and more private lounge operators now provide facilities for all passengers who are willing to pay the modest fee to take advantage of these convenient lounges. ‘Airside’ lounges are the most common, located after passport control. ‘Landside’ lounges can be found before passport control and give you the option of enjoying the company of your friends or relatives who have come to see you off. Indeed, this may give them the chance for a ‘mini-holiday’ and wet their appetite for more.

Different operators and locations have different policies in place regarding children, disabled access, smoking and dress code. Often children less than 12 years of age are not permitted entry, while some lounges allow kids but not infants. Some lounges permit smoking in designated areas, while others operate a strict non-smoking policy. Disabled passengers are required to notify the lounge operator in advance in order to make necessary arrangements. You can use the facilities up to 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Most lounges open early in the morning until around 21:00 or 22:00 in the evening. Some have shorter opening times at weekends.

The price you pay gives you access to all of the lounge’s facilities, including free drinks like coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice and a range of alcoholic beverages. Champagne is usually available at an extra cost, the perfect way to get into holiday mode. Snacks such as nuts, crisps and biscuits are also provided. Newspapers and magazines are available, as are internet access and payphones. Many lounges also have basic business facilities, including fax and photocopying services at an extra charge. Possibly the most rewarding service is the plush seating and the panoramic views of the runways.

The largest and most modern lounge is located at Heathrow Airport and spans three floors. Holideck is run by KLM Groundservices and its Main Deck offers an Enterprise Deck with a business area and smoking room. The Upper Deck has a sports lounge for fans of live sports broadcasts and The Haven offers comfortable and peaceful surroundings. The Flight Deck has fantastic views of the airport’s runways and flight operations.

To make your booking, dedicated websites such as www.airport-lounge-discounts.co.uk provide convenient booking forms and let you check the availability for the date of your flight. Details on the lounge, including rates, facilities, smoking policy, disabled access and opening times are also available. There are public lounges at a dozen international airports in the UK, including, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Luton, Glasgow, Birmingham, Newcastle, East Midlands, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford and Stansted. Online bookings are recommended but many lounges also have on-the-spot rates.