Pearl Lounge Aqaba (AQJ)
King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, Jordan (AQJ) is one of the smallest airports I’ve been in. It can only accommodate one aircraft at a time. Often there are only two flights a day in and two out of the airport. Therefore, I was surprised to find that it had a lounge at all, let alone one that could be access with Priority Pass.
I arrived at the airport in my rental car after staying two nights at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Aqaba Ayla.
The lounge is located by Gate 3. The terminal is just one room with three sets of doors (Gates 1-3) out to the taxi way where the plane parks. There are no jet bridges.
Once through security, turn left and walk to the end of the room. There are signs for the Pearl Lounge. You go down a hallway with the airport offices and will see a desk where you check in.
I was told that there was no food available but since I was using my Priority Pass I didn’t care. My flight was a 10:10am departure so I was happy to just have a place to sit with Wifi and a bottle of water.
I assume the gentlemen on the wall must be Jordanian royalty or politicians.
There is an area with coffee machines and fridges with various beverages. Alcohol is available – one type of beer and some wine. It looked like maybe they would put some snacks out later in the day if there was an afternoon flight but I can’t be sure — I was on the last flight out of the day at 10:10am.
There is a meeting room off to the side.
There is also a smoking section.
There are also restroom facilities. The Wifi worked well during my visit. I’m pretty sure I was the first customer of the day as the other flight out left at 9:30am and no passengers from that flight visited. During my visit two other passengers visited the lounge; so I think it is safe to say there were three customers that day. Not sure how the lounge is a money maker even with only one staff person.
My flight to Abu Dhabi on Wizz Air had a total of 47 passengers on an A321neo. I’m guessing the airport’s low season is summer so hopefully that explained the lack of travelers.
