Singapore Airlines Joins Air China, Turkish Airlines, and Other Star Alliance Members to Open New Lounge at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport

Star Alliance's New Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Lounge Is Changing the Way UK Travellers Experience Premium International Air Travel Through Asia.

Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance, has officially unveiled its newest lounge at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, located in the airport's newly opened Terminal 3. Bringing together some of the most prominent names in international aviation, the opening marks a landmark moment for premium travel across Asia. It signals just how rapidly Guangzhou is rising as a major global hub.​​​​​​​

This is not Star Alliance's first move into Guangzhou. The alliance opened its first-ever branded lounge in Asia at the same airport in late 2024, operating from Terminal 1. The new Terminal 3 lounge builds meaningfully on that foundation, reflecting the alliance's broader ambition to strengthen its footprint across the continent. For an alliance long associated with seamless, premium global travel, establishing a growing presence at one of China's most strategically important airports is a natural and significant next step.

The lounge is backed by ten Star Alliance member airlines currently operating out of Guangzhou, including Air China, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Asiana Airlines, EVA Air, and Ethiopian Airlines. The variety of carriers represented here is what makes this lounge particularly valuable. Passengers connecting through Guangzhou on any of these airlines can access one shared, premium space regardless of which carrier they are flying with — a seamless experience that is central to the Star Alliance philosophy.

What genuinely sets this lounge apart is its strong sense of place. Rather than delivering a generic airport experience, the design draws from Lingnan culture — the rich cultural tradition of Guangdong province. A striking installation inspired by the kapok flower, the emblem of Guangzhou, anchors the interior visually. Guests can also take part in a dedicated tea experience guided by resident tea artists, turning what might otherwise be a routine layover into something far more memorable.​​​​​​​

The lounge is open to First- and Business-class passengers on any Star Alliance member airline departing from Terminal 3, as well as Star Alliance Gold cardholders travelling in any cabin class — a meaningful benefit for frequent flyers not always seated at the front of the plane.

For British passengers, the timing could not be more relevant. Demand for flights from the UK to China and wider Asia has surged in recent years, with more travellers than ever routing through Guangzhou to reach destinations across mainland China and Southeast Asia. Whether flying via Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, or Ethiopian Airlines, UK travellers now have access to a world-class lounge that makes Guangzhou Baiyun Airport a far more appealing transit option. As demand for Asian travel continues to rise, this is one development every frequent flyer from the UK should have on their radar.​​​​​​​

Thinking about travelling to Asia? Get in touch with the Crystal Travel team to explore your options and find the right route for your next trip.​​​​​​​