Review: the Executive Lounge at Exeter Airport

This is our review of the Executive Lounge at Exeter Airport.

In order to complete our collection of reviews of airport lounges across the UK, we’ve asked for the help of our readers.

Reader Wes kindly sent us a review of the Executive Lounge at Exeter Airport.

You can find all of our other UK airport lounge reviews here.  We’re making good progress now!

Over to Wes:

“The Executive Lounge is located upstairs in Exeter Airport.  Access is available to Priority Pass members, however it is not a Lounge Club member.

Interestingly, despite Exeter being the main hub for Flybe, Flybe passengers on an All-In ticket do not get lounge access as they do in most other airports. The exception is passengers for London City who are allowed in regardless of ticket type.

To enter the lounge you have to be buzzed in by the receptionist who always looks surprised to see someone turn up. The lounge has to be one of the quietest I have ever been in. On the three occasions I have visited I’ve never seen another passenger in the lounge.

Staff has always been friendly and I got a quick tour of the lounge on my first visit. There are no PA announcements in the lounge but the receptionist has always informed me when boarding began. I doubt this would be done if there were more passengers.

There is also a TV screen showing flight status.

The lounge is fairly basic as you would expect from such a small airport however it is perfectly pleasant and in good condition. A social seating layout lines one side of the lounge looking out over the runway whilst the other side is taken up by toilets, business area and the buffet / bar area.

Plug sockets are in short supply in the main area of the lounge with just a few hidden behind sofas, however the business area appeared to have plenty. No work stations or printing facilities were provided within this area. A selection of magazines and newspapers is available by the reception.

Food and drink in the lounge is good. There is no hot food is provided at any time, however the cold food is of high quality.

I was in the lounge for breakfast at the time of this review and had the choice of Kellogg’s cereals, fresh pastries, toast and fresh fruit. There was also a selection of cheese and biscuits as well as the usual crisps, nuts and cakes

The selection of alcoholic drinks on offer is excellent for such a small lounge with four different beers / ales, cider, wine, alcopops and a selection of spirits. A sign on the wall kindly requests that customers do not take more than two alcoholic drinks although I doubt this is ever enforced.

Conclusion

Overall I would say the Exeter Airport Executive Lounge is very good for such a small airport.

My only complaint would be that the lounge appears to be a hangout for airport staff on their break who gather round reception talking and laughing loudly, probably due to the lounge being fairly empty most of the time. This got very distracting in an otherwise silent lounge.  If the lounge was busy, I doubt I would notice this over the background noise.

The lounge may not be of the same standard as some of the premium lounges in major airports but due to the large selection of alcoholic drinks and high quality cold food it is easy to get value for money.

Those who value a quiet place to work will also have ample space and fast WiFi.”

You can access this lounge using Priority Pass (free with American Express Platinum, or buy one directly) membership, or with Lounge Key via the HSBC Premier credit card.  It is not part of Lounge Club (free with Amex Gold).  Alternatively, you can book direct online for £17.50 via Lounge Pass.

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (January 2024)

Here are the four options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Plaza Premium, Delta Air Lines and Eurostar lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum instead.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.