Luxury airport lounges for all classes of travellers

[NEW YORK] Independently operated airport lounges are opening up around the world as airlines start flying new long-haul aircraft to secondary markets, and business travellers seek what one executive calls "the little luxuries" in an industry increasingly dominated by low-cost carriers.

Two of the largest companies running these lounges are Swissport, based in Zurich, and Plaza Premium Lounge Management, based in Hong Kong.

Swissport purchased the lounge operator Servisair last year and also owns Airspace Lounge, based in Dulles, Virginia, while Plaza Premium Lounge Management operates a network originally focused on Asia but that has since expanded in Australia, the Middle East, Britain and Canada.