From packed to luxe: How occupancy sensors are saving the airport lounge experience

‍Key takeaways

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• Overcrowding is killing the lounge vibe: With more travelers flying premium, airport lounges are struggling to keep up with demand, leading to long waits and frustrated guests.
• Occupancy sensors can help fix the problem: Airlines and other lounge operators are using sensors to track real-time lounge usage and reduce wait times.
• The future of lounges is measured and optimized: Occupancy data can help lounge operators redesign spaces, improve service and maintain a premium experience.

Once upon a time, airport lounges were the hidden sanctuaries of frequent flyers—a respite from the chaotic gates, where plush armchairs, bottomless coffee, and the occasional complimentary massage awaited. Fast forward to today, and the lounge experience has become, well, a bit less exclusive in some cases. 

The culprit? A perfect storm of increased travel, more premium-class flyers, and an explosion of credit card perks that grant lounge access to anyone with the right piece of plastic.

In 2024, total airline revenue surged more than 10%, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, meaning more people are flying—and more people expect premium perks. Add in the growing popularity of elite credit cards with lounge access. ‍

The great lounge squeeze

The result is an overstuffed lounge scene where landing an open seat can feel as competitive as finding overhead luggage space.

The fallout? Customers are not happy.

Online reviews tell the story of disgruntled travelers who expected to stretch out but instead found themselves playing a high-stakes game of musical chairs.

“Feet on seats, snoozing on sofas, loud ‘business calls’—it’s becoming unpleasant and frustrating,” one reviewer says. Another suggests that airlines should limit access at peak times so that the experience is preserved. 

They’re on to something there. Instead of relying on an overwhelmed receptionist, lounge operators can turn to technology. That’s where Density comes in. ‍

How sensors are restoring the lounge Zen

To reclaim the luxury experience, a major US airline serving 20 million lounge customers a year rolled out Density’s Entry sensors nationwide. These radar-based sensors accurately count people coming in and out, giving lounge staff real-time occupancy data. With these insights, they can make smarter decisions about access, wait times, and overall guest experience.

And the results? Immediate relief.

• Wait times have dropped as staff can manage entry and exit more efficiently.
• Passengers can check lounge busyness in real-time via the airline’s app, letting them avoid packed spaces and pick quieter lounges instead of wandering the terminal in search of a peaceful corner.
• Lounge operators gain insights into guest behavior, helping them adjust service levels in real time.

“Density is as important as the chef in a kitchen or a bartender making drinks,” says one lounge operations manager. “The tool is such an important support to the operation.”‍

Smarter lounge design with powerful sensors

Measuring lounge occupancy is just the beginning. International airlines and credit card companies that operate lounges are using Density’s Open Area sensors to get an even sharper picture of how guests actually use these spaces.

With Open Area, they know:

• Are travelers just popping in for a quick drink before bolting to their gate, or are they settling in for a full meal?
• Do guests naturally gravitate toward window seats, or do they prefer quieter nooks?
• Are buffets and restaurants the main draw, or do travelers value private workspaces more?

With lounge performance data, operators can rethink seating layouts, optimize food and beverage stations, and even adjust staffing schedules to make sure coffee is always fresh and dirty dishes don’t pile up on side tables.

Real-time wayfinding could be another add. It would direct travelers to available seating, sparing them from the frustration of dragging luggage through a packed lounge, hoping to snag that rare empty desk.‍

Privacy-first, people-friendly tech

But what about privacy? No one wants to feel like Big Brother is watching them sip their complimentary champagne.

Density’s radar-based tech measures occupancy without collecting video, audio, or any other data that could identify individuals – keeping employees informed, guests comfortable and lounge operators compliant with strict global privacy regulations.‍

The future of lounges

Airport lounges have come a long way from their modest beginnings as quiet rooms with a coffee machine and a stack of newspapers. Today, they boast barista-made espresso, nap pods, Michelin-inspired dining, and spa treatments. And travelers are eating it up—literally.

The airport lounge business is expected to nearly double in size over the next decade, from $7 billion in 2025 to almost $13 billion. That means more airlines and lounge operators will be looking for ways to manage crowding while maintaining that premium feel.

Because at the end of the day, a lounge should feel like a reward—not just another crowded corner of the terminal. If airport lounges use occupancy sensors, they’ll stand a better chance of delivering on the luxury promise.

Request a demo to see Density in action.

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