Airlines have upped the ante for flying first class, but they continue to play an amateur hand with pre-boarding lounges. If they follow the lead of Turkish Airlines, however, the stakes are about to get a whole lot higher. Set in a maze of hypermodern spheres designed by Autoban, the CIP Lounge in Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport features Michelin-worthy chefs, spa-grade showers, a stocked library, a soulful piano parlor and even a clubby billiards room. This is a layover you could actually look forward to. turkishairlines.com

Bülent Özgören