Luxury Upgrade: First Class Lounge at Iconic Train Station to Undergo Full Renovation

The British railway company LNER has announced that the first-class lounge at King's Cross Station in London will undergo extensive renovations as part of a move to enhance the customer experience.

Renovation work is expected to begin on January 26, 2026, will be based on customer feedback, while aiming to preserve the popularity of the existing lounge. The new lounge will reopen this spring with an increased number of seats, dedicated work areas for enhanced privacy, and a flexible space division to better suit passenger needs.

A rendering of the updated LNER lounge at King's Cross. Source: LNER

The new design will incorporate elements inspired by LNER heritage, layered lighting, extensive greenery, and wall art to create a modern, upscale, and inviting atmosphere. In addition, there will be additional storage areas for luggage and strollers, a revamped reception area to welcome guests, and an expanded lounge by repositioning the refreshment area. The existing toilet facilities will also be fully refurbished.

With the opening of the renovated lounge, first-class passengers will continue to enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, including products sourced along the LNER railway route, which stretches nearly 1,000 miles (about 1,609.34 km) across the UK.

The lounge will be closed to passengers during the renovation period. LNER notes that, despite the temporary inconvenience, this investment is designed to significantly improve the experience for hundreds of passengers every day.

A rendering of the updated LNER lounge at King's Cross. Source: LNER

Colette Casey, Customer Experience Manager at LNER: "We recognise how much our customers enjoy using the First Class Lounge at London King’s Cross ahead of their journey. Throughout this investment, we have listened to what our customers would like from the space, and this redesign will bring some wonderful improvements that will be enjoyed by hundreds of customers every day.” 

"While there is never an ideal time to close our First Class Lounge, we hope that the refurbishment will be exciting news for our customers, and we look forward to welcoming them into our new lounge in the spring.” 

A rendering of the updated LNER lounge at King's Cross. Source: LNER