Review: Air France Lounge  – Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Terminal D

Time for a renovation

The summary

This lounge is in dire need of a renovation. Air France this past year updated its lounge at Boston Logan (which is still just ok) and before that did a great job updating the lounge at Washington Dulles. All of these lounges accept Priority Pass, which is how I was admitted. However, access is restricted before Air France flights. In Houston, if the lounge is not accepting Priority Pass members, travelers are directed to the neighboring KLM Crown Room. I am not aware of another airport (certainly not in the US) that has these separately branded lounges. The Air France lounge is at the far end of the Terminal D gate concourse. The entry is oddly both clearly marked and very discrete. The reception desk has familiar Air France branding.

The lounge is mainly two rooms. Take a left after reception, there is room dedicated to eating and drinking. To the right is a quieter space with some nicer furnishings as well as a cordoned off section for premiere passengers.

Once taking a left into the dining area, guests encounter the buffet. Items for lunch included a creamy mushroom soup, salad fixings, cheeses, small sandwiches, warm potato egg rolls (I liked those!) chips, and cookies. Staff worked diligently to replenish the buffet.

Beverages were adjacent to the buffet. There was no traditional bar. There was, however, a full complement of alcohol sitting out, and guests might think the alcoholic drinks are self-serve. They are not – a charming bartender offered to make drinks for guests. There was also cans of cold soda for the taking. There was a machine for coffee and tea.

The décor of the dining area was uninspired. There are windows that flood the space with natural light. There was a table or two that were signed “reserved” , for elites or premiere passengers I assume. There were not many outlets – though there were some.

The other room, to the right of reception, is the main seating/lounge area. The furnishings in the room are more upscale. There are some blue chairs and sofas, wood partitions, and a hi-top counter, which is designed for working. Other than the hi-top I did not see that many outlets. I did appreciate the vintage Air France signs/paintings that represents various airline destinations.

Just past this room is a cordoned off section for VIP travelers. The furnishings here are definitely more upscale.

The staff was very nice throughout the lounge, especially the bartender. They worked hard to keep the buffet well-stocked. Still, this is not a lounge I would ever arrive early to the airport for. The lounge was also very crowded in the early afternoon. This lounge is ripe for renovation

The wrap

…the details: Date: September 23, 2026. Rating: OK – get’s the job done. Access: Priority Pass

….What I like: The staff.

—What I don’t like: Crowds, dated and tired décor.