There’s a way to get unlimited food and drink while waiting for your flight

With summer holidays on the horizon, and the cost of flights and hotels mounting, many of us are looking for ways to save money on our annual getaway.

And whether you're jetting off for a long weekend or a longer break, costs can soon add up in departures once you've factored in food and drink.

But clever travellers have found a bit of a hack to get unlimited pints and food for a fraction of the price - and it's becoming increasingly popular.

And here’s how you do it.

Why pay for an airport lounge?

Back in the day airport lounges were often frequented by business class flyers or required an exclusive annual membership, however you can now pay-as-you-go at most UK airports, allowing you to pay a single fee to gain access.

Depending on which UK airport you’re jetting off from the prices and offerings will vary, but with prices starting at £29 you're getting pretty good bang for your buck; with the average Full English at UK airports coming in at £13.50, and a pint costing £6.67, you're going to save yourself some cash if you're planning on buying more than three pints.

So, if you usually shell out a small fortune at the airport or end up having to pay the premium prices on board the aircraft, particularly on shorter haul flights, this could be a real game changer.

You'll also have that bit more space to relax, access free WiFi and charge your phone at a charging point before you board, making the airport experience all the more pleasant.

We’ve outlined some of the most popular up and down Britain, meaning you should be able to take advantage of this deal regardless of whether you’re getting off from Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick, or Edinburgh, to name but a few.

No1 Lounges

UK airports included: Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick (North and South), Heathrow (T2, T3 and T5), Liverpool, Luton, Manchester (T1 and T2), Newcastle

Cost of entry: From £29 pp

What's included? Hot and cold food, as well as premium beers, wines, sparkling wine and spirits, plus soft drinks, coffees and teas, all served from fully tended bars.

Beers on offer: Bar menu varies from airport to airport but taking Heathrow T2 as an example, there's a choice of Moretti, Inch’s Cider or Heineken 0.0%.

Escape Lounges

UK airports included: Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh (opens May 2025), Stansted, Manchester (T1, T2 and T3)

Cost of entry: From £31.99 pp (under-threes can enter for free)

What's included? Hot and cold food as well as 'locally-inspired' dishes and drinks. You can enjoy lounge access for up to three hours, but bear in mind there's a premium of almost £20 if you don't book in advance).

Beers on offer: Menu varies but at Manchester T1, for example, there’s a choice of Carlsberg Pilsner, Guinness, Manchester Pale Ale and John Smith’s Smooth alongside a selection of ciders, spirits and wines.

Plaza Premium Lounges

UK airports included: Edinburgh, Isle of Man, Heathrow (T2, T4 and T5), Gatwick (North)

Cost of entry: From £31.26

What's included? All the perks you'd expect including WiFi, snacks and a buffet alongside a fully-stocked bar.

Beers on offer: Differs depending on airport but a sample menu lists the following: Community-Mosaic IPA, Corona Light, Heineken, Guinness, Blue Moon, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Karback Blonde Love Street, Modelo Especial, Rahr-Dadgum-IPA, Rahr Texas Red and Shiner Bock.

What are the rules on alcohol in UK airport lounges?

While most lounges do offer unlimited pints and glasses of wine and spirits, it is worth noting that there are laws in place to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable holiday and flight.

Under UK and European Laws, it is an offence to board an aircraft if you appear to be drunk. So, the staff at the lounge may politely remind you of this, as they won't want you to miss your flight or have to lose out on a day of your upcoming holiday because you’ve overindulged.

In addition to this, some airports, like Glasgow, operate a token system. This means you’ll be given four tokens for four alcoholic drinks of your choice, which will still allow you to get the most for your money while drinking responsibly in the lounge.

You may also be able to upgrade, for an additional fee, to premium drinks like champagne (which might come in handy if you’re celebrating).