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The 5 best lounges at ARN Terminal 5

A score-based guide to the five strongest currently operating lounges in ARN Terminal 5, selected from 6 options.

By Published Updated 3 min read

Page updated October 2026.

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  1. 3.9/5 overallLounge Frog overall rating: 3.9

    About 700 m2 with table-service dining by chef Pontus Frithiof; the kitchen stops taking orders at 19:00.

    Get in with: Centurion Lounge

  2. 3.3/5 overallLounge Frog overall rating: 3.3

    SAS's second Arlanda lounge, run in partnership with Mastercard; breakfast buffet created with Scandic Hotels.

    Get in with: SkyTeam Elite Plus Lounge Access

  3. 3.1/5 overallLounge Frog overall rating: 3.1

    Swissport-run lounge with an in-house kitchen, cocktail bar, recliner sleep area, kids' play area and fireplace fika zone; valeted showers are available for a surcharge.

    Get in with: Aspire Lounges, DragonPass, Priority Pass

How we ranked ARN Terminal 5#

This ranking covers the 6 currently operating lounge pages in Lounge Frog’s guide to ARN Terminal 5. We ordered them by overall Lounge Frog rating, which combines the scored parts of the experience rather than rewarding a single standout feature. Food, drinks, seating, quiet, service, showers, workspace and other practical details can all affect the result. Every lounge in this published top five also has photography, so travelers can see the space before deciding where to spend a layover.

The top five#

At the top is American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, rated 3.9 overall. In second place is SAS Lounge, rated 3.5 overall. In third place is SAS Lounge by Mastercard, rated 3.3 overall. In fourth place is Aspire Lounge (Non-Schengen), rated 3.1 overall. In fifth place is Aspire Lounge (Schengen), rated 3.1 overall.

How I'd weigh access against the score#

The numbers are a useful starting point, but the best lounge for a particular trip is one you can enter without an unnecessary detour. Check the linked lounge pages for eligible programs, airline or cabin restrictions, guest rules, hours and location details. A slightly lower-ranked option may be the smarter choice when it is closer to your gate or matches the access already included with your ticket, status or card. Lounge policies and operating hours can change, so confirm same-day eligibility before heading to the terminal.

Putting this into practice#

The names I'd check against the actual boarding pass include American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, SAS Lounge. I would start with the terminal and the time available after security. That turns a directory into a realistic shortlist. A lounge can be excellent and still be a poor choice for this departure if reaching it uses most of the waiting time. The location notes above should do as much work as the overall score.

The access check comes next. I'd identify the exact card, membership, status or ticket being used and read the conditions for that route into the lounge. A lounge appearing on a card's map is a starting point for that check. It is not a reason to assume every fare, guest or departure will qualify in the same way.

I would decide what I want from the stop before comparing amenities. For a meal, the food available during the actual visit matters. For work, I'd look for a suitable seat and power. For a short connection, simply finding a comfortable place near the gate may be the better result. There is little value in an amenity I cannot use.

The trade-offs I would check#

Traveling with someone else changes the calculation. I'd check the party's eligibility together, including any guest charge, rather than discover at reception that only one person is covered. A paid visit needs to make sense for the whole group and the time left. I would compare that total with a meal or a quieter seat elsewhere in the terminal.

I would also choose a fallback before walking over. If the preferred room cannot admit the party, the next choice should still fit the departure area and boarding time. That might be another eligible lounge, or it might be the terminal. Keeping that alternative simple makes it easier to walk away from a queue that no longer makes sense.

Cite this article

Patrick Karsh. “The 5 best lounges at ARN Terminal 5.” Lounge Frog. Published 2026-09-27. Updated 2026-10-14. https://www.loungefrog.com/news/best-lounges-arn-terminal-5

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Citations identify this article and its publication date. Assess the reporting and its linked sources before using it as evidence.

Quick answers

What is the best lounge at ARN?

American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, in Terminal 5, rated 3.9/5 overall. Next come SAS Lounge by Mastercard and Aspire Lounge (Schengen).

Which lounge networks get you into these lounges?

Centurion Lounge opens 1 of the 3; SkyTeam Elite Plus Lounge Access opens 1 of the 3; Aspire Lounges opens 1 of the 3. Each lounge's page lists every program and card that admits you.

Written and checked to our editorial standards. Scores follow our methodology. Join the discussion below.

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