New Star Alliance lounge brings outdoor garden to Guangzhou

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has welcomed a new Star Alliance-branded lounge in its recently opened Terminal 3.

This facility joins a global network of seven dedicated Star Alliance spaces – including key hubs such as Los Angeles, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam – as the group strengthens its footprint in China.

Guangzhou’s new Star Alliance lounge replaces the previous facility in Terminal 1, marking a significant upgrade in both scale and amenity.

Spanning 1,400m² with room for 245 guests, the highlight is a 700m² outdoor garden.

Outdoor spaces are a rarity for airport lounges – gardens, even less so.

This open-air feature is a rarity for international airports and provides a quiet retreat from the terminal's bustle.

Inside, the design draws on local Lingnan culture.

This central installation is shaped like a kapok flower, which is the emblem of Guangzhou.

A sculptural installation shaped like a kapok flower – the emblem of Guangzhou – sits at the centre of the lounge.

Travellers can also participate in a traditional tea experience, adding a distinct sense of place to the layover.

Take time out to savour an authentic tea ceremony.

Tailored for the long-haul transit

Practicality remains a priority for the 24-hour operation.

The lounge includes dedicated work zones, private rooms, and sleep pods for those on long transits.

The lounge offers plenty of space for travellers to rest, recharge and reconnect.

The dining programme, developed with chefs from the Pullman Hotel, offers a mix of Chinese and Western dishes with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The lounge's dining menu was developed with Chefs from Guangzhou's Pullman Hotel.

Ten Star Alliance member airlines currently operate from Guangzhou, including Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Thai Airways; between them, they offer 1,500 weekly departures to 52 international destinations.

Elegant bars have become almost a must-have for modern business class lounges.

This new lounge is positioned to handle the high volume of premium traffic flowing through what is increasingly becoming a critical gateway for the region.

The Star Alliance lounge at Guangzhou embraces a 'sense of place'.

“As Guangzhou continues to grow as an important international gateway in China, this new space reflects the evolution of our lounge offering,” notes Ambar Franco, the alliance’s Vice President of Customer Experience.

“It is bigger and better, and will deliver enhanced comfort and functionality for Star Alliance member airline customers.”

Access and eligibility

The Star Alliance Guangzhou lounge welcomes first and business class passengers on any Star Alliance member airline departing from Terminal 3, along with Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers in premium economy or economy.

With the transition from Terminal 1 now complete, the lounge serves as a central hub for the Alliance’s member carriers.

It represents a more functional approach to airport luxury, blending high-end dining and rest facilities with the efficiency required by modern business travellers.

For those moving through Guangzhou, the addition of a legitimate outdoor space and dedicated work suites provides a welcome alternative to the standard terminal experience.