Johannesburg Airport Lounges
O. R. Tambo International Airport · Johannesburg, South Africa
O. R. Tambo International (JNB) is Africa's busiest airport, and we track 15 lounges here. The International Terminal holds the densest cluster — independent contract lounges on DragonPass and Priority Pass, plus British Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways. Domestic flyers and the Federal Airlines terminal have their own lounges.
Content updated June 23, 2026
In a hurry? Skip the research.
Three bookable lounges at JNB, picked fresh each day — or browse the full directory below.
Sourced, never sponsored.
This guide is compiled from airline, alliance and lounge-operator sources plus published access rules from Priority Pass and DragonPass — we haven't independently visited every O. R. Tambo International Airport lounge yet. Nothing here is a paid placement, and the guide is updated as lounges open, close, renovate or change access policies. Read more about how we verify lounge data.
Last updated June 23, 2026
Where we'd actually go.
Shongololo Lounge
Shongololo Lounge in the International Terminal has the widest access of any JNB lounge — Priority Pass, DragonPass, SkyTeam, Star Alliance, oneworld and walk-in pay-in all get you in. Sitting airside near gate A7, it's the most flexible option for international departures, whatever card or airline you hold.
British Airways Lounge
The British Airways Lounge, remodelled in 2019 into a single 880-square-metre space, is the most polished branded lounge at JNB. It serves BA and oneworld premium-cabin passengers and eligible status holders, with hardwood floors, Earth tones and seating for close to 250 guests.
Mashonzha Lounge
Mashonzha Lounge sits airside in the International Terminal after immigration, near the Emirates Business Lounge. It welcomes Priority Pass and DragonPass members as well as pay-in guests, making it a reliable membership-or-pay route into a lounge before an international flight.
Slow Lounge
The SLOW Lounge in the International Terminal, designed by Tonic with natural materials and local artwork, serves a seasonal menu prepared on site with table service alongside the buffet. A step up when you want a calmer, more design-led space before a long-haul departure.
Every lounge. 12 bookable right now.
The Aspire Airport Lounge at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo sits airside in Terminal A. It's a contemporary contract lounge reachable on DragonPass, offering a comfortable escape from the busy…
The Bidvest Premier Lounge (Domestic) at O. R. Tambo is part of the Bidvest network, set airside in Terminal A and reachable on DragonPass. It offers a comfortable escape from the busy…
The Bidvest Premier Lounge (International) at O. R. Tambo is part of the Bidvest network, set airside and reachable on DragonPass. It offers a comfortable escape from the busy terminal for…
The Bidvest SKY Lounge in O. R. Tambo's Domestic Terminal (Terminal B) is a contemporary lounge set airside, reachable on DragonPass. It offers a comfortable escape from the busy domestic…
The Federal Airlines Lounge at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo is an exclusive private facility within Federal Airlines' own terminal, a short drive from the main building. You can drive up to the…
Mashonzha Lounge
★3.7Mashonzha Lounge sits airside in O. R. Tambo's International Terminal, after immigration near the Emirates Business Lounge. It welcomes Priority Pass and DragonPass members as well as…
Shongololo Lounge sits airside in O. R. Tambo's International Terminal, near gate A7. It has the widest access of any JNB lounge — Priority Pass, DragonPass, SkyTeam, Star Alliance and…
Slow Lounge
★4.5The SLOW Lounge at O. R. Tambo's International Terminal was designed by Tonic using natural materials and colours, finished with local artwork. It offers a seasonal, healthy menu prepared…
The South African Airways International Platinum Lounge at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo is one of the flag carrier's lounges in the International Terminal, serving SAA's premium passengers and…
Remodelled in 2023, the South African Airways International Premium Lounge at O. R. Tambo Terminal A — known as 'The Lounge' — is the flag carrier's flagship club, created in partnership…
The South African Airways Via Lounge is the flag carrier's domestic lounge in O. R. Tambo's Domestic Terminal. It serves SAA's premium passengers and eligible members before domestic…
The Emirates Lounge at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo offers leather armchairs, complimentary gourmet chef-prepared food, refreshing drinks, reading material and shower facilities. With seating…
The British Airways Lounge at O. R. Tambo was remodelled in late 2019, combining the former separate Club and First lounges into one 880-square-metre (8,600 sq ft) space for close to 250…
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Johannesburg O. R. Tambo offers a comfortable, contemporary escape from the busy terminal before a flight. As Virgin Atlantic's branded lounge at JNB, it…
O. R. Tambo International Airport lounges by terminal.
International Terminal (Terminal A)
Terminal A handles O. R. Tambo's international departures and holds the largest share of the lounges. Independent contract lounges — Mashonzha, Shongololo, Aspire and Bidvest Premier — sit airside on DragonPass and Priority Pass, alongside the SLOW Lounge and a cluster of airline lounges from British Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways. Most are airside after immigration and security.
- —Densest cluster of JNB lounges, mostly airside after immigration
- —Shongololo and Mashonzha take Priority Pass, DragonPass and pay-in entry
- —British Airways, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic run their own branded lounges here
- —South African Airways' flagship 'The Lounge' anchors the terminal for SAA and Star Alliance flyers
Domestic Terminal (Terminal B)
Terminal B serves O. R. Tambo's domestic flights. Lounge coverage is lighter than the international side, centred on the Bidvest network — the Bidvest SKY Lounge and Bidvest Premier Lounge — reachable on DragonPass, plus South African Airways' domestic Via Lounge. All sit airside after the domestic security check.
- —Fewer lounges than the International Terminal
- —Bidvest SKY and Bidvest Premier lounges accept DragonPass
- —South African Airways runs its domestic Via Lounge here
- —Domestic-to-international connections mean moving between terminals
Federal Airlines Terminal
Federal Airlines operates from its own private terminal a short drive from the main building, with a complimentary shuttle. The Federal Airlines Lounge is an exclusive facility for FedAir passengers, decorated in safari-lodge style with indoor and outdoor seating and tarmac views.
- —Separate terminal a short drive from the main building
- —Complimentary shuttle from the main terminal
- —The Federal Airlines Lounge serves FedAir passengers
- —Safari-lodge styling with showers and tarmac views
How to get into lounges at JNB.
Johannesburg is a DragonPass and Priority Pass airport at heart — those two memberships unlock the independent contract lounges in both terminals. Airline and alliance access covers the branded lounges (British Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways), and several lounges also sell a walk-in pay-in day pass, so you can get in without status. Always check whether your lounge is in the International or Domestic Terminal before you clear security.
DragonPass
DragonPass is accepted at the widest set of JNB lounges, including Mashonzha and Shongololo in the International Terminal, the Bidvest network in both terminals and the Aspire Airport Lounge. It's the single most useful membership here.
DragonPassPriority Pass
Priority Pass works at the International Terminal contract lounges Mashonzha and Shongololo. Coverage is narrower than DragonPass, so check the per-lounge page and confirm your lounge is in the terminal you're departing from.
Priority PassAirline & alliance lounges
British Airways (oneworld), Emirates and Virgin Atlantic run their own lounges for premium-cabin passengers and eligible status holders, while South African Airways' flagship 'The Lounge' serves SAA and Star Alliance International Business and First passengers. Access follows your ticket and frequent-flyer tier.
oneworld
Star Alliance
SkyTeam
EmiratesWalk-in pay-in entry
Several JNB lounges sell entry at the door on a pay-in basis, including Mashonzha and Shongololo in the International Terminal. Buying ahead or paying on arrival lets you use a lounge without any membership or airline status.
Bank & credit card access
South African Airways' 'The Lounge' admits Discovery Bank Platinum, Black and Purple cardholders and Investec Visa Infinite, Platinum, Business and Youth cardholders regardless of which airline they fly. Check your card's current lounge terms before relying on this.
Know before you go.
Lead with DragonPass
- —DragonPass covers more JNB lounges than Priority Pass — if you only carry one membership, it's the better bet here.
- —Many Johannesburg lounges are independent contract lounges rather than airline-branded, so the membership matters more than your airline.
- —Mashonzha and Shongololo in the International Terminal also take pay-in walk-ins if your card lounge is full.
International vs Domestic
- —The densest cluster of lounges is in the International Terminal (Terminal A), airside after immigration and security.
- —The Domestic Terminal (Terminal B) has fewer lounges, centred on the Bidvest network and the SAA Via Lounge.
- —Domestic-to-international connections mean changing terminals, so plan the transfer time.
Finding the airside lounges
- —Mashonzha is past immigration in the International Terminal — follow the signs to the Emirates Business Lounge, then turn left at the top of the stairs.
- —Shongololo sits near gate A7 in the International Terminal, handy if your flight leaves from that pier.
- —Give yourself time: immigration and security at JNB can be slow at peak, so don't bank on a long lounge stay.
Airline-lounge options
- —Flying British Airways or another oneworld carrier in a premium cabin? The remodelled BA Lounge is the most polished branded space at JNB.
- —South African Airways' 'The Lounge' also admits eligible Discovery Bank and Investec cardholders, not just SAA and Star Alliance flyers.
- —Federal Airlines passengers use the separate FedAir terminal lounge, reached by a short shuttle from the main building.
Frequently asked, frequently answered.
We track 15 lounges at O. R. Tambo International (JNB). Most are in the International Terminal (Terminal A), with a smaller number in the Domestic Terminal (Terminal B) and one in the separate Federal Airlines terminal.
Yes. Priority Pass is accepted at the Mashonzha and Shongololo lounges in the International Terminal. DragonPass covers a wider set of JNB lounges, including the Bidvest network and the Aspire Airport Lounge, so if you hold both, DragonPass opens more doors here.
Yes. Several lounges sell a walk-in pay-in day pass, including Mashonzha and Shongololo in the International Terminal, so you can pay per visit without Priority Pass, DragonPass or airline status.
The International Terminal (Terminal A) holds the densest cluster — Mashonzha, Shongololo, Aspire and Bidvest Premier on DragonPass and Priority Pass, the SLOW Lounge, and the British Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and South African Airways lounges.
Yes. The British Airways Lounge is in the International Departures Terminal, remodelled in 2019 into a single 880-square-metre space for close to 250 guests. It serves BA and oneworld premium-cabin passengers and eligible status holders.
Yes. The Emirates Lounge in the International Terminal seats 135 guests and offers complimentary chef-prepared food, refreshing drinks, a business centre and shower facilities for Emirates First and Business Class passengers and eligible Skywards members.
Yes. The Domestic Terminal (Terminal B) has the Bidvest SKY Lounge and Bidvest Premier Lounge, reachable on DragonPass, plus South African Airways' domestic Via Lounge. Coverage is lighter than the international side.
Federal Airlines operates from its own private terminal a short drive from the main building, with a complimentary shuttle. The Federal Airlines Lounge is an exclusive safari-lodge-styled facility for FedAir passengers, with indoor and outdoor seating, showers and tarmac views.