More Airlines Join NAIA’s New Premium Lounge

Less than a month after opening, the new First Meridian Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 is already serving premium passengers from seven international airlines, with more carriers expected to come on board in the months ahead.

Located on Level 4 of Terminal 3, the 2,600-square-meter facility is one of the largest shared premium lounges in the country. It currently caters to eligible business class and premium travelers flying with Thai Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific, KLM and Qatar Airways.

The lounge is operated as a common-use facility, allowing multiple airlines to provide premium ground services through a single, larger space rather than maintaining separate lounges with limited operating hours.

According to New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of NAIA, the shared-lounge concept forms part of a broader effort to maximize terminal space while improving the overall passenger experience.

“This shared lounge supports our effort to improve the passenger experience at NAIA while using terminal space more efficiently,” NNIC said. “It gives eligible passengers of participating airlines a more comfortable and reliable pre-flight experience, while allowing us to create more space for food, beverage, retail and other amenities that benefit more travelers.”

Designed to elevate the airport experience, First Meridian Lounge offers travelers a wide range of amenities beyond traditional airline lounge services. Guests have access to spacious seating areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, workstations, shower facilities and real-time flight information displays.

The lounge also features dedicated infant care rooms, sleep pods, private rooms, children’s play areas, quiet zones, as well as game and golf simulators—amenities more commonly associated with premium airport lounges in major international hubs.

Food and beverage offerings are equally extensive, with local and international cuisine, a bakery, teppanyaki station, halal food section, full-service bar and wine cellar available to eligible guests.

NNIC said the facility reflects a growing global trend in airport operations, where common-use and third-party lounges serve premium passengers across multiple airlines, membership programs and access schemes. The model allows airports to offer enhanced amenities while making more efficient use of limited terminal space.

The opening of First Meridian Lounge is among several initiatives under NAIA’s ongoing modernization program, which seeks to improve comfort, convenience and operational efficiency for the millions of passengers passing through the country’s main international gateway each year.

For frequent flyers, the new facility represents a significant upgrade to the pre-departure experience—bringing NAIA a step closer to the premium standards found at leading airports across Asia and the Middle East.