Airport lounges get recognized for food, service and design. But one annual award honors something very different: how good the lounge looks on social media.
For some people, an airport lounge is something of an oasis. A quiet (or at least quieter than the terminal) spot to grab a snack and a beverage, sit in a comfy chair, use nicer restroom facilities, and potentially even have access to a spa, shower, sleeping pods, etc.
For other people, apparently, airport lounges are all about how Instagrammable they are.
A lounge with striking décor, unusual architecture, gorgeous views or particularly photogenic food and drinks gives people something they’ll want to photograph and share. Some travelers may even seek out a lounge specifically because they’ve seen other people posting pictures of it. For them, visiting a lounge isn’t just about having somewhere comfortable to sit before a flight; the lounge itself becomes part of the travel experience.
As someone with an Instagram account who can’t remember the last time she looked at it, I’m admittedly not someone who cares how “Instagrammable” a lounge is.
But apparently the concept is popular enough that there’s an annual FAB Award for “Airport Instagrammable Location of the Year.” This year, lounges and restaurants were recognized separately.
And on July 8th, Capital One Landing at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B took home the top honor in the lounge category.
Yes, This Is An Actual Award
The distinction was announced at the 2026 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference.
Here’s how FAB describes the award:
This award celebrates the venue – or installation within a venue – that creates the most visually captivating and shareable experiences for travellers. In an era where social media plays a critical role in shaping consumer choices, this award recognises establishments and concepts that not only provide exceptional service and quality but also prioritise aesthetic appeal. Whether through stunning design, artistic presentation of food and beverages, or simply a memorably inviting atmosphere, this award seeks to highlight the spaces that inspire guests to capture and share their experiences online.
Of course, it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that LGA’s Capital One Landing won.
The space features 30-foot hand-painted murals by New York City artist Amrita Marino, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of both the Manhattan skyline and the airfield, and some pretty amazing lighting. All of that has created a setting so stunning that even Luddites may have been snapping a few photos. 😉
And It Didn’t Just Win For Its Looks
Capital One Landing also won FAB’s Airport Lounge Food & Beverage Offer of the Year.
So apparently it isn’t just a pretty face. 😉
Callie Kooiker, Head of Airport Lounges and Landings at Capital One, said of the recognition:
“It’s a proud moment for our team, José Andrés Group, and LGA Terminal B, and confirms that our vision for a new category of airport hospitality is resonating. By pairing the culinary expertise of the José Andrés Group with a design that invites guests to truly savor their time in the terminal, we’ve created a space that transforms the traveler journey. This award is a wonderful validation of our commitment to delivering elevated, chef-driven experiences right where travelers need them most.”
I Guess Instagrammable Really Is A Thing
Look, I’m probably never going to choose one airport lounge over another because it’ll look better on an Instagram account I barely use.
But I can appreciate a beautiful space. And if I’m going to spend an hour or two waiting for a flight, I’d certainly rather do it somewhere with gorgeous artwork, great views and good lighting than in a windowless room that looks like it hasn’t been renovated since 1987.
And apparently plenty of travelers do care about getting that perfect photo—which means making an airport lounge Instagrammable isn’t just about making it pretty. It’s another way to get people talking about it, posting about it and, ultimately, wanting to visit it.
So congratulations to Capital One Landing at LGA….your lounge is officially more Instagrammable than I will ever be. 😉
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