Two words: gin bar. Yes, the new Qantas lounge at Heathrow is sleek, modern and oh-so chic (think chevron wood flooring, marble bars and brass chandeliers) but what we really love is that they have a dedicated space for G&T lovers. You can stick to familiar brands like Tanqueray or sample the Green Ant or Hobart No. 4 Single Malt. Either way, you’ll be wishing your layover was a bit longer.

The a la carte menu at the Swiss First Class Lounge in Terminal E features regional Swiss dishes that are so brilliantly conceived and executed that they are comparable to any five-star restaurant. Wine lovers will be thrilled with the 1000-bottle wine humidor at the entrance, while plane spotters take particular delight at the luxurious outside terrace overlooking the runway.

In traditional pared-back Japanese style, JAL’s first class lounge is a stunning exercise in architectural restraint. But where the design is minimalist, the food offerings are extravagant. There’s an in-lounge sushi bar with three dedicated sushi chefs, a high-end sake bar and a buffet that seems to never end.

If you had to pull yourself away from your hotel’s infinity pool, never fear, we have got the replacement for you. The VIP Lounge at Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic has an infinity pool overlooking the runway where you can swim laps and drink cocktails just metres from the planes.

Appreciate what it really means to be a business class traveller by following the signs to the Moët & Chandon lounge. For those not wanting to hit the hard stuff too early, you can pick up a barista-made coffee, healthy smoothies, a hearty salad or indulgent pastry at one of the many ‘café’ like dining options.

Any travel stress you have immediately dissolves as you enter The Pier, Cathay Pacific’s incredible First Class Lounge. A glittering onyx hallway filled with Asian art channels you towards the ‘living room’, a social hub where you can sit at the horseshoe shaped bar before getting down to the serious business of booking a complimentary foot, neck and shoulder massage.

Yes, that is a huge water fountain and yes, those are precious art works from Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art. Unsurprisingly Qatar Airways’ first class lounge is a destination in itself. The 250-seat restaurant serves high quality international and Arab-inspired dishes, but the decadent dessert menu is worth the lounge access alone.

With a meat slicer to shave fresh portions of perfectly aged meat, it seems the Lufthansa First Class Lounge (in its very own terminal) has got everything you could ever want. The expansive buffet and a la carte menu focus on local and seasonal produce, and the candy bar (with every colour of gummy bear) is a hit with those travelling with children.