I visited the new airport ‘bar’ with free-flowing Prosecco that’s cheaper than going to Wetherspoons
TRYING to feed the whole family before a flight can quickly become a very expensive affair – but I’ve found a bargain way to do it (and it comes with unlimited fizz and beer).
A recent trip to London from Edinburgh meant myself and a friend, along with our kids, decided to meet for dinner before the flight at the airport.
But fully expecting to pay a small fortune – the kids take a lot of feeding – we did a bit or research before and learned about the new Escape Lounge.
The Escape Lounge in Edinburgh Airport opened at the end of last year, found near Gate 4 and joins Aspire and Plaza Premium.
Although it looked tempting, I assumed that airport lounges were reserved for business travellers and first-class flyers and would cost a fortune.
However, when I checked online, I noticed that the lounge could be booked in advance for around £35 per person (although this goes up £49 at the door).
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Crunching the numbers, I knew that the airport Wetherspoons – The Sir Walter Scott – costs around £15 for a main meal with a bottle of Prosecco costing £49.
That’s £39 each before you add on any extras like desserts, sides or coffee.
Even better? Revolut members get a 15 per cent discount, so after signing up to the free membership, meant I paid just £29 per person.
Even if that sounds like a lot, once we stepped inside, it quickly became clear we’d made the right choice.
Inside the lounge, everything was included.
There was a hot buffet, fresh sandwiches, cakes, homemade shortbread and biscuits.
There was even a Costa Coffee machine, so we could grab proper coffees before flying.
And then there was the bar. Prosecco was on tap – rose and white – alongside beer, spirits and soft drinks which were all unlimited.
So, there was no worrying about bar tabs, counting rounds or a surprise bill at the end.
We helped ourselves, settled into comfortable seats, and relaxed while the kids tucked into snacks and desserts.
It felt more like a mini break than the usual stressful airport wait.
We were allocated two hours but when our flight was delayed, the lovely staff let us stay and drink Bloody Marys instead of being squashed with the hordes of other families waiting at the gate.
We would have easily spent over £40 each at Wetherspoons and then more again in WHSmith or Costa on extra drinks and snacks.
The Escape Lounges aren’t just in Scotland either – you’ll also find them at Manchester Airport, Bristol Airport, East Midlands Airport, London Stansted Airport
This experience showed me that an airport lounge can actually be the cheapest option especially for families or anyone planning to eat and drink before flying.
Instead of rushing around busy terminals, juggling trays and watching the bill climb, we relaxed, ate well, and started our trip feeling calm.
We arrived at the gate fed, watered, and in a good mood – something that doesn’t always happen when travelling with kids.
And best of all, we did it for less than we would have spent in the pub.
Next time I fly, I won’t be heading for the bar, I’ll be heading straight for the lounge.