With work on its Edinburgh lounges completed last year, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has announced that its first-class lounge at London King’s Cross station is set to receive a refurbishment within the coming weeks.

Following a slow but steady rise in rail travel since the pandemic, the number of passengers using the lounge in the capital has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Following a customer survey conducted in 2025 and considering predicted growth in passenger forecasts over the coming years, the LNER has decided that 2026 is the best time to refresh the lounge.

The King’s Cross lounge will feature a redesigned layout by opening up the existing area to create more space, which will allow for extra seats for waiting passengers.

There will also be an updated reception desk, extra luggage space and a quiet, dedicated zone for working, offering privacy from the main lounge. The toilets will also receive a refit.

The interior, as can be seen in the computer-generated images designed by LNER, will feature a décor inspired by heritage.

Light and dark colours will reflect LNER’s current branding. Extra foliage will be added, giving a more relaxing feel, while layered lighting will enhance a warm, welcoming environment for awaiting passengers.

Work is due to take place from 26th January, with the lounge set to reopen during the spring.

“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.” 

Colette Casey, Customer Experience Director at LNER