New research from Sodexo Live! and YouGov reveals what UK travellers really want from airport lounge food, drink and hospitality
Airport lounges have evolved from places to wait into destinations in their own right, making the lounge experience an increasingly important part of the travel journey.
New research from Sodexo Live! and YouGov explores what UK travellers want from that experience, from what makes a lounge feel premium to how expectations for food, drink and service change throughout the day.
The research surveyed 1,120 UK air travellers who had flown First or Business class and/or visited an airport lounge within the previous year, as part of a wider study of 2,166 travellers across the UK and U.S.
Among the study's key findings:
- Premium expectations go beyond cabin class. What travellers associate with a premium lounge experience doesn't change much by cabin class. More than 50% point to comfortable, uncrowded spaces, while 33%+ cite attentive service and 28%+ point to culinary excellence, including award-winning chefs and tableside service.
- The airport lounge experience travellers want at 6 a.m. isn't the one they want at 9 p.m. More than half of UK travellers across every cabin class want self-service buffets throughout the day. But by dinner, First and Business cabin travellers show greater interest in table service and made-to-order dining.
- Healthy and indulgent aren't either/or. More than 36% of UK travellers across cabin classes want healthy options across most dayparts. But by dinner, 4 in 10 economy-cabin travellers want indulgent options, while First and Business cabin travellers show greater interest in premium food and beverages.
- Travellers are more willing to try a new drink than a new dish. Signature cocktails, local beers, speciality coffees and mocktails can reflect the destination and give travellers something new to discover.
Airport lounges have become much more than a place to wait for a flight. They’re an extension of an airline’s or card issuer’s brand, and every part of the experience shapes how travellers see it. Food and beverage play a central role in bringing that experience to life,
About the research
Sodexo Live! partnered with YouGov to survey 2,166 air travellers across the US and UK between the ages of 18 and 70. Respondents had flown First or Business class and/or visited an airport lounge within the previous year. The online survey was conducted in Q4 2025 using YouGov's proprietary panels and census-click methodology to produce a sample representative of the broader air traveller population.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages airport lounges, convention centers, cultural attractions, sports venues and major events around the world, creating memorable guest experiences through exceptional food and thoughtful hospitality.
With 35,000 employees across 440 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales and event management services while supporting the local communities where we operate.
Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, Roland-Garros, the Rugby World Cup and the Paris 2024 Games, and iconic venues including the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Find out more about Sodexo Live! here: www.sodexolive.co.uk
About YouGov
YouGov is a global research data and analytics group. Our mission is to offer unparalleled insight into what the world really thinks and does. With operations in the Americas, Mainland Europe, UK and Asia Pacific, we have one of the world’s largest research networks.
Above all, YouGov is powered by reality. That stems from a unique panel of millions of registered members across 64 markets, encapsulating some 18 million shopping trips and millions of interconnected data points. Our unique approach to recruiting and engaging with our panel, combined with our state-of-the-art technology platforms, enables us to deliver real-world, real-time insights that lead to better decision-making and a competitive advantage for our clients.
As innovators and pioneers of online market research, we have a strong reputation as a trusted source of accurate data and insights. Testament to this, YouGov data is regularly referenced by the global press, and we are consistently one of the most quoted market research sources in the world.