Thankfully, things are changing. As the airline industry continues to diversify and strip down the various services available, airport lounges are the new, reasonably priced add-on that you can enjoy prior to your flight, even on a budget airline.

Access to an airport lounge means a comfortable start to your trip, a service which is available for overseas and many domestic flights. Customers are free to enter the lounge up to 3 hours prior to the departure of their flight, but in truth many lounges are happy to accept their visitors even earlier.

Once you have checked in and arrived at your pre-booked airport lounge, you can take advantage of the comfortable seats to get some well-earned rest, watch television or read from the large selection of international magazines and newspapers on offer.

You will also be able to take advantage of the drinks available. Have a cup of tea or coffee, a soft drink or indeed something stronger before boarding your flight; alcoholic drinks are included, although you will have to pay extra for a glass of champagne. The great thing about airport lounges is that you can have as many drinks as you like, along with snacks including crisps and biscuits.

All of the airport lounges include other useful services like internet connections, fax machines and toilets. You can even plug in your own laptop to get some urgent work done before boarding your flight. Again, use is unlimited and comes with the fixed price you pay to use the lounge.

While hanging out at the airport lounge of your choice and waiting for your flight to begin boarding, you can check departure information on a screen as well as over the intercom system. In many cases, the attendant will notify passengers when their flight is ready to board.

Enjoying the first class service of an airport lounge on your next flight is surprisingly inexpensive and convenient to arrange. By visiting airport-lounge-discounts.co.uk, you can select from a number of different airports in the UK and simply add your departure details, including the date and time of your flight. The search engine will then quickly make a list of the airport lounges available for you to enjoy prior to takeoff, along with the services at each and the price.

The booking system is even easier than arranging your flight online ? simply follow the necessary steps over the secure system and then print off your booking confirmation form. If you thought the comfort of an airport lounge came at business class prices, expect to be surprised. The cost of entry to an airport lounge will represent but a fraction of the cost of your air ticket.

Once you confirm your stay at an airport lounge, you will receive confirmation of your booking along with directions on how to get there once you have completed check in. Instead of heading to the departure gate to sit with everyone else, you'll be headed to the luxury of an airport lounge and making a comfortable start to your holiday or business trip.