Escape Lounges
Escape Lounges operates 40+ airport lounges across the UK, US, and Australia under the Essence, Escape, Executive, and 1903 tiers, serving business and leisure travelers via direct booking and partner programs such as Priority Pass and DragonPass. It is owned by CAVU/MAG.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Escape Lounges does
Escape Lounges is a multi-tier airport lounge operator running 40+ common-use lounges across the UK, US, and Australia, serving business and leisure travelers, families, and holders of lounge membership cards. The brand operates four product tiers — Essence (value, cold food and drinks), Escape (standard, complimentary food and drinks), The Executive (premium, hot buffet with live cooking and runway views, exclusive to Manchester T2), and 1903 (luxury, seated dining) — each targeting a different price point and traveler profile.
The company is built around a cloud-based digital booking and membership integration platform with dedicated pre-booking portals for DragonPass, Priority Pass, Lounge Key, and several other card programs, supplemented by walk-up sales and a phone contact center. Lounges are designed to reflect local area heritage through artwork from regional artists and in-house chef-prepared menus using local ingredients, distinguishing the experience from generic lounge operators.
Commercially, Escape Lounges generates revenue from one-time entry fees (typically £25.99–£69.99 per person depending on tier and location), transaction-based access for cardholders of partner lounge programs (Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Key, Lounge Club, Diners Club, Lounge Me, TAV Passport, DreamFolks), and premium add-ons such as upgraded alcoholic beverages and seated dining. The company is a wholly-owned brand of CAVU Experiences, itself part of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), with three regional operating entities — CAVU Experiences (AMER) LLC in the US, CAVU Experiences (EMEA) Limited in the UK, and CAVU Holdings (APAC) Pty Ltd in Australia.
Escape Lounges firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Escape Lounges
- Legal name
- CAVU Experiences (AMER) LLC / CAVU Experiences (EMEA) Limited / CAVU Holdings (APAC) Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://escapelounges.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Escape Lounges operates 40+ airport lounges across the UK, US, and Australia under the Essence, Escape, Executive, and 1903 tiers, serving business and leisure travelers via direct booking and partner programs such as Priority Pass and DragonPass. It is owned by CAVU/MAG.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Escape Lounges industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Airport Lounge Services
- NAICS
- Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Airport Lounges & Premium Passenger Facilities (THABALAA)
Keywords
Where Escape Lounges is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Escape Lounges business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Lounge entry fees: One-time entry fees for lounge access with prices varying by location and tier (Escape, Essence, Executive). Customers can pre-book online or pay walk-up Standard Walk Up Rate at the door. Entry prices range from approximately £25.99 to £69.99 per person depending on location and lounge tier. Children aged 3-15 pay entry price, infants under 3 enter free.
- Third-party membership program access: Revenue generated from accepting lounge membership cards (DragonPass, Priority Pass, Lounge Key, etc.). Card holders can pre-book or walk-up to access lounges. Separate booking portals exist for each partner program.
- Premium add-ons and upgrades: Additional revenue from premium alcoholic beverages beyond the complimentary bar, and premium seating/dining options in Executive and 1903 lounges.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Essence by Escape Lounges - Budget-friendly lounge option |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Escape Lounges - Standard tier airport lounge |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Executive by Escape Lounges - Premium lounge experience |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 1903 Lounges - Luxury lounge tier |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Escape Lounges product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Escape Lounges operates a network of 40+ airport lounges across the UK, US, and Australia, offering pre-flight hospitality including complimentary freshly prepared food and drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging ports, workspaces, and quiet relaxation areas. The portfolio spans four tiers (Escape, Essence, Executive, 1903) serving different price points from value to luxury. Access is available through direct online booking, walk-up entry, or via eight plus partner lounge membership programs including Priority Pass, DragonPass, and Lounge Key.
Product overview
Escape Lounges operates a multi-tier airport lounge network across the UK, US, and Australia, offering three distinct product tiers: the core Escape Lounges (standard lounge experience with complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and charging facilities), The Executive by Escape Lounges (premium tier with curated hot buffet, bar service, and runway views exclusive to Manchester T2), and Essence by Escape Lounges (value-focused concept with cold food and simplified offerings). The 1903 Lounges represent another premium product tier. All lounges are accessible via direct booking, walk-up, or through lounge pass membership programs (DragonPass, Priority Pass, Lounge Key, etc.). The company provides a unified booking platform with dedicated portals for membership cardholders and standard online reservations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Essence by Escape Lounges: A simplified airport lounge concept offering comfort and simplicity with freshly prepared food, quality drinks, and a welcoming space.
- The Executive by Escape Lounges
- 1903 Lounges
Products and services
- Escape Lounges The core airport lounge product offering complimentary freshly prepared food and drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging ports, and quiet spaces for work or relaxation. Available across UK, US, and Australia airports for all travelers regardless of airline or ticket class.
- Essence by Escape Lounges Budget-friendly lounge concept offering comfort and simplicity with freshly prepared food and quality drinks. Features cold food only (sandwiches, salads, light bites) and a curated selection of hot and cold beverages. Available for pre-book or walk-up access at select locations.
- The Executive by Escape Lounges Premium elevated lounge experience featuring curated hot buffet with live cooking, dedicated dining areas, premium bar service with wine/champagne/spirits, barista coffee, and floor-to-ceiling runway views. Located exclusively at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 with pre-booking required at least 24 hours in advance.
- 1903 Lounges Premium luxury lounge concept with table service dining and à la carte menu available for 'Seated dining' access type. Adults only; children may only access if airline ticket includes 1903 access. Maximum group size of 6 people.
Quantifiable outcome
- Escape Lounge at Portland International Airport named Global Lounge of the Year based on 700,000+ member ratings and reviews (Priority Pass 2026)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Escape Lounges
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Escape Lounges technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Escape Lounges partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Priority Pass (Collinson International)corePriority Pass is the airport lounge and experiences program owned and operated by Collinson International. Escape Lounges accepts Priority Pass cards at most locations with a dedicated pre-booking portal. Escape Lounge at Portland won Priority Pass Global Lounge of the Year 2026 based on over 700,000 member ratings.
- DragonPasscoreDragonPass is a lounge membership program accepted at Escape Lounges across UK, US, and Australia. Dedicated DragonPass booking portals available at Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands, London Stansted, and other locations for guaranteed pre-booking.
- Lounge KeycoreLounge Key membership cards accepted at Escape Lounges including Bristol Essence with pre-booking portal for Lounge Key cardholders. Part of the multi-partner acceptance strategy.
- Lounge ClubminorLounge Club card accepted at Manchester Terminal 2 Escape Lounge. One of several lounge pass programs accepted.
- Diners ClubminorDiners Club membership cards accepted at Manchester Terminal 2 and Bristol Essence locations for lounge access.
- DreamFolksminorDreamFolks lounge pass accepted at Bristol Essence by Escape Lounges for walk-up access.
- TAV PassportminorTAV Passport lounge membership accepted at Manchester Terminal 2 Escape Lounge.
- Lounge MeminorLounge Me membership cards accepted at Manchester Terminal 2 Escape Lounge.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Escape Lounges competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Plaza Premium Group: The world's largest independent airport lounge network with 200+ locations globally. Plaza Premium operates independent common-use lounges across multiple tiers (standard and premium), serving business and leisure travelers, and is the closest direct comparable to Escape Lounges' multi-country common-use model.
- No1 Lounges: UK-headquartered independent airport lounge operator with locations across the UK and select international airports. No1 Lounges competes directly with Escape Lounges in the UK common-use lounge segment and shares a similar multi-tier brand portfolio (No1 Lounges, Club Aspire).
- Aspire Lounges (Swissport): Common-use airport lounge brand operated by Swissport, one of the world's largest aviation services companies. Aspire operates lounges globally and competes directly with Escape Lounges for the same membership-program cardholder and walk-up customer base at shared airport locations.
- Global Lounge Network: Independent airport lounge operator with locations across multiple countries. Global Lounge Network runs common-use lounges at similar airport customer segments as Escape Lounges, including locations accessible via lounge membership programs.
Broad incumbents
- Swissport International: World's largest aviation services company (ground handling, cargo, lounge operations via Aspire). As parent of Aspire Lounges and a broader portfolio of airport services, Swissport is a broad incumbent competing for the same airport lounge concession contracts and customer flow as Escape Lounges' parent (MAG).
- Collinson International (Priority Pass): Owner and operator of Priority Pass, the world's largest airport lounge membership program. While Priority Pass is also a major distribution partner for Escape Lounges, Collinson's owned-lounge operations and program curation make it both partner and broad incumbent competitor in the lounge ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Chase Sapphire Lounge (JPMorgan Chase): JPMorgan Chase has launched a growing network of premium Sapphire-branded lounges (Hong Kong, Boston, New York LaGuardia, etc.) targeting its top-tier cardholders. These new cardholder lounges compete for the same premium airport-lounge segment that Escape Lounges' Executive and 1903 concepts address.
- Capital One Landing: Capital One has opened premium 'Capital One Landing' lounges (Dallas, Denver, Washington Dulles) for its top-tier Venture X cardholders. Like Centurion and Sapphire Lounges, Capital One Landing represents an emerging card-issuer entrant competing for the premium lounge customer segment.
- Centurion Lounge (American Express): American Express operates premium cardholder lounges in major US airports, increasingly competing for the premium business-traveler segment that Escape Lounges targets with its Executive and 1903 tiers. Centurion lounges are free for eligible Amex cardholders, creating direct pressure on premium tier economics.
Others
- Manchester Airports Group (MAG): Parent company of Escape Lounges via CAVU Experiences. MAG operates Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands, and Bournemouth airports in the UK, providing airport-concession infrastructure and strategic direction. Included as the parent entity rather than a direct competitive comparable.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Escape Lounges social profiles
Digital presenceEscape Lounges compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Escape Lounges financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Escape Lounges leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Escape Lounges funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Escape Lounges M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Escape Lounges
What does Escape Lounges do?
Escape Lounges operates a network of 40+ airport lounges across the UK, US, and Australia, offering pre-flight hospitality including complimentary freshly prepared food and drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging ports, workspaces, and quiet relaxation areas. The portfolio spans four tiers (Escape, Essence, Executive, 1903) serving different price points from value to luxury. Access is available through direct online booking, walk-up entry, or via eight plus partner lounge membership programs including Priority Pass, DragonPass, and Lounge Key.
Is Escape Lounges a public or private company?
Escape Lounges is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Escape Lounges founded?
Escape Lounges was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Escape Lounges based?
Escape Lounges is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Escape Lounges make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lounge entry fees are the primary driver. The others are third-party membership program access and premium add-ons and upgrades.
Who are Escape Lounges's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Plaza Premium Group, No1 Lounges, Aspire Lounges (Swissport) and Global Lounge Network. Broad incumbents are Swissport International and Collinson International (Priority Pass). Emerging players are Chase Sapphire Lounge (JPMorgan Chase), Capital One Landing and Centurion Lounge (American Express). Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is listed as an others.
Does Escape Lounges have an API?
No public API is recorded for Escape Lounges.
What industry is Escape Lounges in?
Escape Lounges's product category is Airport Lounge Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABALAA, Airport Lounges & Premium Passenger Facilities. Its NAICS code is 722515 and its SIC code is 7900.