Bridget Halsey
Travel + Leisure staff writer 2015-2020. Now freelance, writes part-time about lounges and the slow erosion of business-class hospitality.
Bridget spent five years on staff at Travel + Leisure before the COVID layoffs ended her tenure and she went independent. She holds the unpopular but informed opinion that US lounges have meaningfully declined since 2019, that Europe’s flagship lounges have held their ground, and that the Centurion network’s expansion strategy is hospitality in reverse.
She writes for airport.flights as a paid freelance contributor, two pieces a month focused on lounge programs, premium-cabin ground experience, and the difference between a marketing claim and what’s actually being poured. Her beat is what the hospitality industry calls service standards, applied to the world of airport-side lounges. She tries not to be cruel about it.
She lives in the South End, flies Boston with regrettable frequency, and believes the Polaris Lounge at Newark is one of the few US lounges that still aims at the brand promise.
Specialises in
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Detroit airport parking for business travelers: turn a long Detroit Metro (DTW) day into billable hours
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has 12 catalogued parking lots. Here is how business travelers should choose among them in under 30 seconds, then use the right terminal and lounge to turn an early drop-of
Hawaiian connections at Honolulu Airport: how to use Daniel K. Inouye (HNL) as your inter-island hub
Using Honolulu’s 3 terminals, 12 lounges, and 12 dining spots at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to turn a Hawaiian Airlines connection day at HNL into something civilized, not chaotic.
Cleveland Hopkins in Peak Season: Build Your Perfect CLE Airport Plan for Wallet, Kids, or Status
How to turn Cleveland Hopkins International Airport’s single 50-gate terminal into three distinct experiences: budget, family, and status-heavy business, using its 6 lounges, 12 catalogued dining options, and one main te
George Bush Intercontinental Airport for first‑time international visitors: lounges, terminals, and that $1.25 bus into
Arriving in Houston from overseas on a non‑United ticket can feel like five separate airports at once. Here is how I map lounges, terminals, and the METRO 102 bus so George Bush Intercontinental actually works for a firs
Jacksonville vs Savannah vs Charleston Airports: Which Is Actually Easiest Door‑to‑Gate?
For travelers choosing between Jacksonville International, Savannah/Hilton Head, and Charleston International, the real difference is door‑to‑gate effort, not food courts and branding.
Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye Airport with Kids and Elders: Lounges, Food, and $3–$50 Rides into Waikiki
How to use lounges, food, and ground transport at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to keep families and elders comfortable across three terminals, plus clear options for Honolulu airport transportation t
Washington Dulles by the Numbers: 10 Lounges, $2–6 Trains, and $2–3 Buses Turned into a Peak‑Season Plan
Use Washington Dulles’s 10 lounges and $2–6 train / $2–3 bus options to build a calm peak‑season strategy by concourse, alliance, and arrival time.
Lounges at Sacramento International Airport (SMF): How to Work Escape and Priority Pass Between Terminals A and B
Sacramento airport lounges, from Escape to the Centurion Studio Partner and USO, and how to use them smartly between Terminals A and B without sabotaging your connection.
Orange County’s John Wayne Airport terminals: how A, B, and C actually feel (with parking that fits each one)
John Wayne Airport (SNA) behaves like three small terminals under one roof. Think in terms of Terminal A, B, or C first, then pick the lounge, food, and parking that matches how you actually travel.
Connecting at Pittsburgh International Airport: Why The Club in Concourse C Is Usually the Right Move
Turn your Pittsburgh International Airport layover into productive downtime at The Club in Concourse C, the airport’s most useful lounge.
Why Tampa International Airport Feels Practically Downtown: One Terminal, 8 Lounges, 17 Ways Into the City
How Tampa International Airport’s single-terminal design, 8 lounges, and 17 transport links create a low-stress airport experience.
San Juan Connection Math: How to Use SJU’s 8 Lounges and 2 Terminals Without Losing Your Cool
A tactical lounge and terminal strategy for making Caribbean connections at SJU less painful, using its 8 lounges and 2 terminals wisely.
Eating at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): What’s Actually Good Now
Real-world guide to dining at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, from old standbys to its new 2026 “dining transformation.”
Eating Well at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): A Realistic Guide
Straightforward guide to eating at Jacksonville International Airport, with honest picks and expectations for your time at JAX.
Where Boston Logan International Airport regulars really leave their cars (and why)
Local flyers share how they actually park at Boston Logan International Airport—quiet corners, off‑airport standbys, timing tricks, and when to splurge.
Lounge access strategy when you don’t have airline status
How non‑elite travelers can use cards, passes, and smart timing to get into airport lounges without chasing Gold or Platinum.