For years, Jersey Airport has been something of a lounge desert, with a lone Executive Lounge offering respite from the terminal area that’s remained pretty much unchanged in 30 years. A little like City Airport, Jersey is a rare anomaly in the British Isles where premium passengers had hardly anywhere to retreat. That changes with the arrival of No1 Lounge’s latest outpost, a milestone not just for the airport, but for the lounge brand itself. This isn’t just an expansion – it’s Airport Dimension’s statement of intent.
Drawing on the refined DNA of its newly unveiled Heathrow Terminal 2 location, the Jersey lounge reveals a fresh design language for No1 Lounges. The shift is subtle but deliberate: less airport terminal, more boutique hotel. It’s residential in tone, with curved, low-slung furniture and lighting that gives off a speakeasy-meets-greenhouse glow. The palette is soft, the lines rounded, and the atmosphere unmistakably laid back – a marked evolution from the brand’s earlier, more formulaic paisley-flocked expressions.
What makes this opening especially noteworthy is the balance struck between style and functionality. The lounge may be compact, but it punches well above its weight. Zoned areas cater to different moods: there’s a calm library corner for quiet reading, a sports and TV lounge for more communal moments, and a sleek bistro setting ideal for pre-flight dining. A wall of windows washes the space with natural light and frames a rare treat for an airport lounge – sweeping views out to sea.
Food follows the No1 seasonal, self-service buffet model, with a well-curated selection of hot and cold dishes freshly prepared on site. Meanwhile, a fully tended bar keeps things grown-up, with complimentary premium wines, beers, and spirits. There’s also a self-serve area for teas, coffees, and juices for those catching early flights.
Connectivity is taken care of with free Wi-Fi and plenty of charging points, while discreet digital screens keep travellers in the loop without overwhelming the ambience. A thoughtful touch –and one not often found in lounges of this scale – is the inclusion of private meeting rooms, ideal for squeezing in a final Zoom call before take-off.
In the wider lounge landscape, it’s clear that pay-per-use spaces like this are no longer simply filling the gaps left by airline lounges – they’re challenging them. Other brands like Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Centurion, and Plaza Premium have reset expectations globally, creating spaces that are curated, design-forward, and often more welcoming than their airline counterparts. No1’s latest lounges, including this Jersey opening, play confidently into that space, combining style and accessibility in a way that appeals to the modern traveller.
That said, while this lounge raises the game for Jersey, it’s not quite the showstopper some of the international rivals have rolled out – but it doesn’t need to be considering the route network it serves. It’s a smart, comfortable, well-executed space, one that finally gives Jersey a premium offering. But as competition heats up globally, especially in the pay-to-access sector, the real challenge for No1 will be staying ahead of the curve.
Still, for an island that’s waited far too long for a lounge of any kind, this is a very welcome – and stylish – return.
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