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Consumer group Which? slammed some airport lounges for being over-priced and not delivering what they promised

Travellers have been advised to steer clear of over-priced airport lounges.

Researchers from consumer group Which? went undercover to visit 28 airports across the UK. Each lounge was assessed for the facilities on offer, such as toilets and showers, whether customers get a runway view, if there were designated quiet areas and spaces for families, as well as the food and drink selection available.

According to Which?, few impressed and only a third managed a score of three stars or above out of possible five. When Which? first started reviewing lounges in 2017 the cost was £25 on average and some included showers, spa facilities and free magazines.

Since then, it says the spas have gone, magazines are all online and showers can cost at least extra to use £25. The average price for the airport lounges visted by Which? was £42 – a 68% increase from 2017.

The most expensive was Newcastle Airport’s Suite by Aspire, at £68. Despite that, it got an overall rating of two and a half stars. Operator Swissport claims the lounge takes “the top tier hospitality of a five-star hotel and combining it with the fine dining you’d expect from a critically acclaimed restaurant.”

Yet Which? researchers said they did not get the promised welcome drink or table service, while the area with claimed to have “opulent seating” to enjoy runway views was closed when the researchers visited.

Which? says travellers could, for a fraction of the cost, go to the airport’s Bar 11 for a full English breakfast for £16.99, with views of the runway.

The lowest scoring lounge overall was Heathrow Airport’s Club Aspire T5, with just one star, but a price of £42.

The undercover inspector complained of stained, dirty plates, with the floor said to be covered in crumbs, despite it only being the start of the day. The food was described as “very poor on the whole” with congealed scrambled eggs and no extras such as mushrooms or tomatoes.

Which? said travellers could instead go to the Fortnum and Mason bar in Terminal 5 to get luxury afternoon tea for one for £35 that includes finger sandwiches, scones, a selection of cakes and a pot of tea. Alternatively, the Wetherspoon’s pub in the terminal, The Crown Rivers, offers a large breakfast for £14.50.

Among the top rated, with three and a half stars, were Birmingham Airport’s adults only Clubrooms lounge (£48 for those booking in advance), and the Clubrooms at London Gatwick’s South Terminal (£44 for those booking in advance).

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “There was once a time when an airport lounge was a special treat, but our latest results say quite the opposite. Instead of paying over £40 for a lukewarm buffet breakfast on a dirty plate, you can get a lot more for your money by visiting a bar or restaurant inside the airport.

“There are some better lounges, but make sure you get in for free, or at least for a reduced price. Look around for deals online or through your bank or holiday provider.”

A spokesperson for Suite by Aspire at Newcastle Airport said: “We look after around quarter of a million guests at Newcastle International Airport every year, so we’re really sorry to hear the Which? reviewer’s experience fell short of our usual high standards.

“We invest heavily in our training programmes and hospitality partnerships, and are continually striving to improve the service for all Aspire guests, in our UK lounges and across the world.”

The film tells the story of a woman who is grieving the death of her father and becoming obsessed with training a goshawk

An upcoming film hailed as an “unconventional yet moving grief drama” by Variety is set to hit the big screen soon.

Based on Helen Macdonald’s bestselling memoir, the film follows Helen, a woman grappling with the loss of her father, Alisdair Macdonald, portrayed by Brendan Gleeson.

Other stars such as Sam Spruell, Josh Dylan, Denise Gough, Lindsay Duncan, Emma Cunniffe and Arty Froushan also feature in the film.

The much-anticipated movie, H is for Hawk, will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 23 January 2026, with a new trailer now available for viewing.

Overwhelmed by grief, Helen finds solace in memories of exploring the natural world with her father, reports the Express.

READ MORE: The Beast in Me release date, cast, trailer and plot for chilling thrillerREAD MORE: Netflix to air disturbing true crime doc about family ‘torn apart by tragedy’

She becomes fixated on the idea of training her own goshawk, introducing us to Mabel.

The synopsis further reveals: “As she labours to tame Mabel, a grieving Helen undergoes an untaming of her own.”

H is for Hawk is a record of a spiritual journey, a story about memory and nature and how it might be possible to reconcile death with life and love.

The drama has already received positive feedback following its premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival in August, boasting a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82%.

Geek Vibes Nation commended the lead cast, stating: “Foy’s emotionally resonant performance is a genuine depiction of grief, while Gleeson anchors the movie with his tender and engaging acting.”

Next Best Picture also chimed in, adding: “Whatever one makes of the title, Claire Foy’s performance alone is reason enough to see it.

“She soars in a role that proves once again why she is among the finest actors working today.”

The Hollywood Reporter concluded: “As an appreciation of birds and our connection to them, it’s engrossing and endearing — a fresher take, certainly, than yet another weepie about dog or cat owners.

“But as an exploration of grief, it’s hindered by a 128-minute run time.”

H is for Hawk will be hitting UK and Ireland cinemas on January 23.