Oh I do love a lounge. Once I first got my priority pass 3 years ago, I’ve never gone back. BUT, I don’t always get the unlimited priority pass, sometimes I opt for the 10 visits per year (depends on how often I’m going to be in the air), but that means that every lounge you visit should count as a good one! We don’t want to waste lounge visits, nor do we want to pay for a lounge visit that simply is not worth the money.
So with that in mind, I decided to give you my opinion in the lounges I frequent often, so you can make a choice of whether it’s worth paying for, or using a sacred pass visit.
This lounge is the Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport. Belfast is where I am originally from, and so I often visit a few times a year to see family. However, I do typically go to the international airport, but at least once a year I will fly from Belfast City airport, and therefore use this lounge!
So far, I’ve used this lounge 3 times, and I personally like it a lot!
Overall Score: 8.5/10 — A big, stylish lounge that punches above its weight for a regional airport. Great if you get in on a pass or book ahead, and still worth it if you’re paying cash — just don’t expect Champagne flows included!
So let’s delve in…
The entrance of the Aspire Lounge is located on the left as you exit duty free, right by Gate 4.
It’s perfectly neat and tidy as far as entrances to lounges go.
Staff have been friendly on all visits to this lounge and I’ve no issues with them!
Something to note, if you’re on a lounge key card, such as Priority Pass, or Dragon Pass, sometimes lounges won’t let you in at peak time, as they take priority of “paid” and pre-booked customers.
I’m happy to report, I’ve never been refused entry at this lounge due to it being busy (and it has been busy sometimes!)
However if you do want to make sure you can get in, even if it's busy. Aspire Lounges allow card holders of Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Dragon Pass, to "secure" a place by paying £6.
A bit cheeky, sure, BUT if you're travelling in the peak summer season in the morning, then I'd say it's probably worth doing if you want to get into a lounge at all.
During 2023, Aspire launched a plan to merge both spaces into one brand new lounge. It was an ambitious (£1.2m) project for a small airport, but the finished product looks great.
The key benefit for British Airways travellers – who use this lounge, along with Priority Pass and ‘pay as you go’ customers – is that it offers direct boarding via Gate 4, which is still used by all of the mainline (non-Cityflyer) British Airways flights. There is no need to leave the lounge and re-enter the main terminal area.
This lounge is too big for this airport. But in a way, that makes it all the more luxurious. Basically this lounge of this size would do well at Belfast International airport, or even Dublin Airport, which both have ridiculously small lounges for being “international”.
Anyway, the size of Aspire here is wonderful and there are SO many different seating options. Group tables, solo chairs, intimate booths, quiet areas and booths if you’re working and much more. The decor is super chic and stylish and you can tell it was recently renovated.
So in terms of food and drink set up. There is an “open self serve bar” where there are around 4 or 5 different spirits, a few wine bottles, and some beers in the fridge.
There are also fountain soda machines and coffee machines. There’s no premium feel to the drinks on offer, but they’re all decent (all labelled brands).
BUT you can order more drinks via a cheeky QR code, which will be at a premium price tag. So if you want something sparkling to celebrate with, it is possible to order it, but it’s not included. Honestly one of the only lounges nowadays to not skimp out on sparkling is the NO1 lounge.
I always find it a bit tasteless when they’re charging you extra when you’ve already paid a premium price to enter, but anywayyyyy.
When it comes to food. It’s a similar sort of situation. There is a selection of buffet style food, with two hot food options (one of them is always veggie- and I’ve found to be delicious on all occasions), and there is cheese, salad, even scones with clotted cream and jam, and of course, there’s a big bowl that is filled with Tayto crisps (I mean, have you even been to Ireland if you haven’t consumed Tayto?)
So I think that food selection is good, but you can also opt for an Al La Carte style meal, by again, scanning the QR code. There is a fun selection of food, including a veggie burger, but I think the food on offer is good enough, so I don’t see the point in ordering off another menu.
Overall recommendation: If you get access for free or included with a Priority Pass visit, it’s absolutely worth your visit — comfortable, roomy and with a solid selection of food and drink. If you’re paying full walk-in price, it’s still worthwhile but manage expectations on the premium-drink extras and food offering.
So there you have it, my take on the Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport. If you don’t have a priority pass, then I highly recommend it if you travel 10 times a year or more. (If you can’t get lounge access through a credit card)
If you’ve got any thoughts on this lounge you would like to share and/or have any questions, then simply drop a comment below!
Love,
Cazzy
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