Stockholm Arlanda Airport lounges: which one to choose
At Arlanda, choosing a lounge depends above all on two things: your own card or access programme, and the terminal you are departing from. Between SAS lounges, the Pearl Lounge, Luxe by Aspire and the dedicated American Express lounge, here is how to find your way without wasting time before the flight.
Those flying with SAS find two lounges in Terminal 5. The SAS Lounge near gate E1 brings together the airline's former Business and Gold lounges in a single space, with a double buffet, workstations and a corner for families departing the same day. Not far away, the SAS Lounge by Mastercard opened more recently in partnership with the credit card brand and with Scandic Hotels, which looks after the breakfast buffet.
After the security checks, fourth floor (beyond the Duty Free)
It serves both Schengen and non-Schengen flights from Terminal 2, with a hot and cold buffet that includes dishes such as Swedish meatballs and breaded fish.
Entry with Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey and American Express Platinum/Centurion cards; it also accepts premium passengers and oneworld/SkyTeam status holders. Paid access from 38 € for 3 hours (+5 € for the refundable option).
Hot food
Bar
Independent4 · Schengen flightsPriority Pass
Pearl Lounge
Mezzanine opposite gate C37 (Pier C); also reachable by passengers departing from Terminal 5 thanks to the air-side connection between the two terminals
For Priority Pass and DragonPass passengers departing from this area of Terminal 4, it is the point of reference, with a cold buffet that also includes a soup.
Hours
06:30-20:30
Entry with Priority Pass, DragonPass and American Express Platinum/Centurion cards. Paid access from 35 € for 3 hours (+5 € for the refundable option).
Independent5 · Non-Schengen flightsPriority Pass
Luxe by Aspire
One floor above the pier E area
The Swissport lounge version for non-Schengen flights, with the same offer as its twin lounge on pier F: seasonal cuisine, a cocktail bar and a rest area with reclining armchairs.
Hours
04:30-22:00
DragonPass
Showers
Hot food
Bar
Rest area
Independent5 · Schengen flightsPriority Pass
Luxe by Aspire
Pier F area
Run by Swissport, it offers seasonal cuisine prepared on site, reclining armchairs for resting and a Fika corner with a fireplace.
Hours
06:00-22:00
DragonPass
Showers
Hot food
Bar
Rest area
Credit card5Before security
American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof
Marketplace area (landside)
With almost 700 square metres and a menu signed by restaurateur Pontus Frithiof, it is the largest American Express lounge in the Nordic countries; it reopened on 4 April 2024 after a renovation that doubled its surface area.
Hours
Mon-Fri and Sun 05:00-18:00, Sat 05:00-15:00
Reserved for holders of American Express Centurion and Platinum cards.
Hot food
Bar
Airline5
SAS Lounge
After the security checks, on the upper floor next to gate E1
Since 1 October 2025, it has brought together the previous SAS Business and Gold lounges in a single space, with a double buffet, workstations and an area dedicated to families departing the same day.
Hours
from 1 hour before the first SAS departure to 30 minutes before the last
Free entry for SAS Business passengers, EuroBonus Gold/Diamond holders and SkyTeam Elite Plus members. Other SAS passengers can purchase access: 40 € online, 45 € at the airport, subject to availability.
Showers
Hot food
Children's area
Airline5 · Schengen flights
SAS Lounge by Mastercard
After the security checks, next to gate F26
SAS's second lounge at Arlanda, opened in February 2025 in partnership with Mastercard and with Scandic Hotels for the breakfast buffet.
Hours
06:00-20:00
SAS Plus and SAS Business passengers, Business passengers on SkyTeam flights, EuroBonus Gold/Diamond holders and SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
Hot food
No lounges match this filter.
Those with Priority Pass or DragonPass, on the other hand, look to the two Pearl Lounges, run by Menzies Aviation and Plaza Premium Group: the one in Terminal 2 serves both Schengen and non-Schengen flights with a buffet that includes typically Swedish dishes such as meatballs, while the one in Terminal 4 has become the point of reference for those departing from the area connected to Terminal 5, with a simpler offer based on a cold buffet and soup. Both also accept American Express Platinum and Centurion cards, as well as a single entry for those without any of these programmes.
Similar in philosophy but run by a different operator, Swissport's pair of Luxe by Aspire lounges is instead split by boarding area: the one on pier F covers Schengen flights, the one on pier E non-Schengen flights, both with seasonal cuisine prepared on site, reclining armchairs for resting and a Fika corner with a fireplace. The non-Schengen version also adds a cocktail bar, useful for anyone waiting for a long flight.
Those holding an American Express Centurion or Platinum card instead have access to a lounge designed solely for these holders, the American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, in the Marketplace area before the security checks: with a menu signed by the chef who gives it its name, it is now the largest American Express lounge in all the Nordic countries, following a renovation that doubled its surface area.
Ultimately, at Arlanda it is worth starting from your own access programme: those flying SAS choose between the airline's two lounges based on where their gate is, those with Priority Pass or DragonPass can choose between the Pearl Lounges and the Luxe by Aspire lounges according to terminal and boarding area, while holders of an American Express Centurion or Platinum card have a lounge designed just for them. In most cases, in short, it is not service quality that decides, but simply which access you already have in your pocket.
