Yes, the Bristol Airport lounge is actually two lounges: the Escape Lounge and the newer Essence by Escape Lounges, both on the departure side past security and both open daily from 03:30 to 19:30. The Escape Lounge is pre-bookable from £39.99 per adult and includes a full hot and cold menu; Essence is a simpler walk-up lounge from £35 per adult (£25 per child), with pre-booking reserved for Priority Pass, DragonPass and Lounge Key members. This guide compares the two and whether lounge access is worth paying for; for opening-hours detail, entry methods and the lounge's old "Aspire" name, see our companion Bristol Airport lounge access guide. Checked 2026.
How many lounges does Bristol Airport have?
Two. Both are run by Escape Lounges and both sit airside, past security, so you need to have cleared security before you can use either. They opened as separate products after Escape Lounges added the Essence concept alongside its original Escape Lounge, which is why some older write-ups online still describe Bristol as having only one lounge. If you're searching for "the Bristol Airport lounge" without a specific name in mind, the Escape Lounge is the larger, longer-established of the two and the one most pre-booked tickets, Priority Pass and DragonPass entries refer to by default.
Escape Lounge: price, hours and what's included
- Price: From £39.99 per adult when booked in advance (£55.00 walk-in on the day, if space allows)
- Hours: Daily, 03:30 to 19:30
- Where: Mezzanine Level, Departure Lounge, airside
Entry includes a locally inspired menu of hot and cold food prepared by in-house chefs, unlimited hot and soft drinks plus a selection of wines, beers and spirits, complimentary Wi-Fi and charging points at every seat, floor-to-ceiling views of the apron, PressReader access for digital newspapers and magazines, and flight information screens. Infants aged 0 to 35 months go in free; anyone 16 or over is booked as an adult. The Escape Lounge welcomes passengers on any airline and any ticket class, not just business or first class.
Essence by Escape Lounges: price, hours and what's included
- Price: From £35 per adult walk-in, £25 per child walk-in
- Hours: Daily, 03:30 to 19:30
- Booking: Walk-ups only for most passengers; Priority Pass, DragonPass and Lounge Key members can pre-book
Essence is Escape Lounges' simpler, lower-priced concept, with freshly prepared hot and cold food (including gluten-free and vegan options), a complimentary bar of soft drinks, hot drinks and alcoholic options, and the same family-friendly policy of free entry for children aged 0 to 35 months. Access opens three hours before your scheduled departure. Unlike the Escape Lounge, Essence doesn't generally take advance bookings from the public, it's built around walking up on the day, with pre-booking available only to members of the three pass schemes above.
Escape Lounge vs Essence: which should you choose?
| Escape Lounge | Essence by Escape Lounges | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From £39.99pp (pre-book) | From £35pp walk-in, £25 child |
| Booking | Pre-book online, any passenger | Walk-up only (pass members can pre-book) |
| Hours | 03:30-19:30 daily | 03:30-19:30 daily |
| Food & drink | Full hot/cold menu, wines, beers, spirits | Hot/cold menu incl. gluten-free/vegan, complimentary bar |
| Extras | Wi-Fi, charging, PressReader, apron views | Wi-Fi, charging |
| Best for | Guaranteed entry, longer waits, business travellers | Lower cost, last-minute decision, simpler visit |
If you want to guarantee a seat ahead of a busy departure bank, the Escape Lounge's advance booking is the safer bet. If you decide on the day, or you're looking for the cheaper of the two, Essence is worth checking first, though as a walk-up product it isn't guaranteed to have space if the lounge is already busy.
Lounge passes: Priority Pass, DragonPass and Lounge Key
Both lounges accept Priority Pass and DragonPass memberships as an alternative to paying for a ticket, and Essence also lists Lounge Key among the schemes it honours for pre-booking. If a bank card, credit card or travel insurance policy you hold already includes one of these schemes, check its app or airport list to confirm Bristol is covered and whether it extends to a guest, since allowances vary by provider and by lounge.
Is a Bristol Airport lounge worth it?
Run the numbers against what you'd spend otherwise. A meal, a couple of drinks and a bottle of water airside at Bristol can easily reach £25 to £30 per person, before you factor in a quieter seat away from the main concourse. For a family with a long wait, unlimited food and drink at either lounge usually beats paying for several separate meals. For a solo traveller with 40 minutes before boarding, a terminal café will almost always be cheaper than either lounge.
It tends to earn its price for:
- Early morning flights, when airside food options are limited or not yet open
- Delays of an hour or more, where the cost per hour drops sharply
- Families, where the flat per-person rate covers unlimited food rather than paying per item
- Business travellers who want Wi-Fi and a table to work at
It's usually not worth it for a fast connection under an hour, or a solo traveller who only wants a coffee.
Where are the lounges and how do I get in?
Both lounges are airside, so you need to clear security first. There's no landside lounge option at Bristol, which matters if you're meeting someone or want lounge access before check-in. The Escape Lounge is on the Mezzanine Level of the Departure Lounge; special assistance facilities are available within it, so passengers with reduced mobility don't need to choose between using the lounge and getting airport assistance. If you've booked assistance separately, mention your lounge plans to your assistance team so they can guide you there.
Comparing lounge access against other ways to wait
| Option | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Escape Lounge | From £39.99pp | Long waits, delays, families, guaranteed entry |
| Essence by Escape Lounges | From £35pp (£25 child) | Lower cost, walk-up decision |
| Terminal café or bar | Pay as you go, roughly £5-£12 per item | Short waits, solo travellers, tight budgets |
| Fast Track security | Separate product, no food or seating | Skipping the queue, not the wait once airside |
Fast Track and a lounge solve different problems: Fast Track gets you through security quickly, a lounge gives you somewhere comfortable to sit once you're through. Some travellers with a long wait book both. If you're shopping airside too, see our duty free guide for opening hours and what's on offer.
FAQs
Does Bristol Airport have a lounge?
Yes, it has two: the Escape Lounge and Essence by Escape Lounges, both airside and both open daily 03:30 to 19:30.
What lounges are at Bristol Airport?
The Escape Lounge, on the Mezzanine Level of the Departure Lounge, from £39.99pp pre-booked, and Essence by Escape Lounges, a simpler walk-up lounge from £35pp.
What time does the Bristol Airport lounge open and close?
Both lounges run the same hours, daily 03:30 to 19:30.
How much does the Bristol Airport lounge cost?
The Escape Lounge is from £39.99 per adult pre-booked. Essence is from £35 per adult and £25 per child, walk-in only for most passengers.
Is there a lounge pass that covers Bristol Airport?
Yes. The Escape Lounge accepts Priority Pass and DragonPass; Essence accepts Priority Pass, DragonPass and Lounge Key for pre-booking. Check your scheme's app to confirm Bristol cover and any guest allowance.
Can I just walk up to a Bristol Airport lounge without booking?
For Essence, yes, that's how it's designed to work for most passengers. For the Escape Lounge, walk-ups are possible but not guaranteed, since pre-booked guests are prioritised, especially at busy times.
Can children use the Bristol Airport lounges?
Yes. Both lounges welcome families; infants aged 0-35 months go free at each, and older children are booked at the published child rate or as part of a family ticket.
Is a Bristol Airport lounge worth it for a short wait?
Usually not. For under an hour airside, a terminal café is cheaper. A lounge earns its price for delays, early departures, families, or anyone wanting Wi-Fi and a table before boarding.