Updated 1 November 2026
At JKIA you can buy a day pass to Kenya Airways’ Pride, Simba or Asante lounges for USD 40 for up to three hours or USD 75 for three to six hours, according to Kenya Airways, while Priority Pass members can use five other lounges: Aspire (Terminal 1B), Plaza Premium (1D), the Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Lounge (1E), and the Mount Kenya and Mara lounges in Terminal 2. Here is how the JKIA lounges compare. Kenya Airways business class passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus (Platinum and Gold) members get into the KQ lounges free.
Updated November 2026. Prices from Kenya Airways’ Lounge Services page; Priority Pass list from prioritypass.com. Both can change, so check before you fly.
Official source: Kenya Airways lounge services.
Contents
JKIA lounges at a glance
| Lounge | Terminal | Who gets in free | Pay to enter? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pride Lounge (Kenya Airways) | 1A | KQ business class; SkyTeam Platinum and Gold | Yes, from USD 40 |
| Simba Lounge (Kenya Airways) | 1A | KQ business class; SkyTeam Platinum and Gold | Yes, from USD 40 |
| Asante Lounge (Kenya Airways) | 1C | KQ business class; SkyTeam Platinum and Gold | Yes, from USD 40; open 24 hours |
| Msafiri Lounge (Kenya Airways, domestic) | 1D | Eligible KQ premium guests | USD 25 per guest (0-3 hours) |
| Aspire Nairobi | 1B | Priority Pass members | Check at the desk |
| Plaza Premium Lounge | 1D | Priority Pass members | Check at the desk |
| Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Lounge | 1E | Priority Pass (pre-booking available); Star Alliance eligible passengers | Check at the desk |
| Mount Kenya Lounge | 2 | Priority Pass members | Check at the desk |
| Mara Lounge | 2 | Priority Pass members | Check at the desk |
Priority Pass lists all five of its JKIA lounges as open 00:00 to 23:59. Kenya Airways says its lounges operate from 0500 to 0001, except Asante, which it says now runs 24 hours.
Kenya Airways lounge day pass prices
Kenya Airways sells a “Pay Lounge Day Pass” at the Pride, Simba and Asante lounges. Economy passengers can buy access, and premium guests can use it to bring friends, family or colleagues:
| Time in lounge | Adult price |
|---|---|
| 0-3 hours | USD 40 |
| 3-6 hours | USD 75 |
| 6-9 hours | USD 110 |
| 9-12 hours | USD 140 |
Children aged 2 to 12 pay 50% of the adult rate, and infants under 2 enter free. Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable, and entry depends on space. Guests on KQ, SkyTeam and KQ partner airlines can buy access. At about KSh 129 to the dollar, USD 40 is roughly KSh 5,160; check today’s dollar to shilling rate.
Private rooms
- Simba Lounge VIP Room: USD 100 per hour for the room, up to 8 people, with steward service on request.
- Simba VVIP room: USD 50 per hour on top of the USD 40 Simba access, for up to 5 people.
These are useful for a confidential meeting before a flight; book ahead through Kenya Airways.
Msafiri domestic lounge
The Msafiri Lounge in Terminal 1D serves Kenya Airways domestic flights. Invited guests pay USD 25 for up to three hours (or the shilling equivalent), Elite Plus guests pay a discounted USD 10, and children aged 2-12 pay USD 10. Since April 1, 2025, SkyTeam Platinum and Gold members can use KQ’s domestic lounges.
Which airlines use the KQ lounges?
Kenya Airways lists the airlines whose eligible passengers use Pride and Simba: Kenya Airways, KLM, Air France, Saudia, China Southern, Ethiopian Airlines, British Airways and RwandAir. Msafiri is for Kenya Airways only.
What is inside
According to Kenya Airways, Pride has a business centre with Samsung tablets and sockets, a formal dining area with live cooking of eggs and pasta, quiet seating, a napping area with sleeper beds and a smoking room. Asante has a buffet, showers with amenity kits and towels, TV and high-speed Wi-Fi.
How to get lounge access without paying each time
- Fly business class on Kenya Airways or a partner.
- Earn SkyTeam Elite Plus status (Gold or Platinum) through Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards or another SkyTeam programme.
- Priority Pass membership, bought directly or included with some premium bank cards. Check your card’s terms; inclusion and visit limits differ by bank and card tier.
Planning a trip around a big event? See our Magical Kenya Open 2027 guide or hotels in Mombasa and Diani. Holding dollars for travel? Compare USD money market funds in Kenya.
Tips for using JKIA lounges
- Check which terminal your flight leaves from first: lounges are airside, and moving between terminal piers can take time.
- Kenya Airways lounge access is subject to space, so arrive early at peak evening departure times.
- If you only have a short connection, the 0-3 hour pass is usually enough; longer layovers make the 6-9 hour and 9-12 hour rates better value than paying twice.
- Keep your boarding pass ready: every lounge checks it at the desk.
Jkia lounges: summary
JKIA lounges fall into two groups. Kenya Airways runs three paid JKIA lounges plus Msafiri, and Priority Pass covers five other JKIA lounges.
Frequently asked questions
How much is lounge access at JKIA?
Kenya Airways’ Pride, Simba and Asante lounges cost USD 40 for up to 3 hours and USD 75 for 3-6 hours. The domestic Msafiri lounge costs USD 25 for up to 3 hours.
Can I use Priority Pass at JKIA?
Yes, at Aspire (1B), Plaza Premium (1D), Turkish Airlines Star Alliance Lounge (1E), and the Mount Kenya and Mara lounges (Terminal 2). Kenya Airways’ own lounges are not on Priority Pass’s JKIA list.
Can economy passengers use the Kenya Airways lounge?
Yes, by buying a day pass, subject to space.
Do children pay for JKIA lounges?
At Kenya Airways lounges, children 2-12 pay half the adult rate and infants under 2 are free.
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