What You Need to Know About USO Airport Lounges

By Danielle DeSimone

Walking through the airport, you might see the USO logo on a door to a private lounge and think – what is that? What is the USO and what is it doing here? Who can use a USO lounge? And are those doughnuts free?

We’re here to break down the who, what and where of USO airport Centers and why they’re so important for our military service members.

Who can use USO airport lounges?

Since 1941, the USO – a nonprofit organization – has supported the people who serve in our country’s military, as well as their families, who are stationed around the world. We are one of the largest organizations dedicated to supporting the active-duty Armed Forces community, rather than veterans. As such, most of our programs, events and Centers are geared toward supporting this very specific community of those currently serving.

Many brave Americans have served in our Armed Forces. In fact, the latest U.S. Census data shows that there are currently 15.8 million veterans in the United States, and the USO is incredibly grateful for their service to our nation.

However, as a nonprofit organization, the USO has limited space and resources. Our USO airport Centers and the USO staff and volunteers that work in those locations cannot properly support today’s U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their families, in addition to the millions of veterans and their families, too.

As much as the USO would like to open its doors to all those who have honorably served, as a nonprofit organization, the USO must focus its efforts on serving the needs of those who need us most: U.S. Armed Forces active duty, Reserve and Guard service members, as well as their dependents.

In addition, U.S military retirees with valid U.S. Department of Defense ID cards (and their dependents with valid U.S. Department of Defense ID cards) may enter and utilize USO Centers. Gold Star Families/Families of the Fallen and their guests may also enter and utilize USO Centers.

While we value the service of other U.S. military constituent groups, including veterans, 100% disabled veterans and other members of the uniformed services, these groups are not permitted access to USO Centers, as our primary purpose is to support currently serving military personnel and their dependents.

For more information on the USO’s Admissions Policy, effective Jan. 1, 2025, please click here.

What services do USO airport lounges provide?

USO airport lounges are made to provide comfort to the military community on their journeys, no matter where they’re going. At these lounges, which can be located before or after TSA security checkpoints, service members can find everything from free snacks and coffee to a comfy chair to take a quick nap. Most locations, which are typically staffed by friendly and helpful USO volunteers, feature televisions, video game systems and free Wi-Fi so visitors can use their own devices to check in with loved ones back home.

Additionally, some Centers are open for specific hours each day, while other locations are open 24/7, 365 days of the year. Military family members passing through airports should do a quick internet search before they arrive to see the specific operating hours and amenities offered by the USO location they are intending to visit.

In times of extreme weather or family emergencies, USO airport lounge volunteers and staff often go above and beyond to help the USO visitors. In the past, they have helped stranded service members find a way home, offered to keep a location open past typical hours or simply helped entertain children so a military spouse could get a moment to herself to rest.

Where in the world can you find a USO airport Center?

Of the USO’s more than 230 locations around the world, more than 60 of these are USO airport lounges, which can be found at several major and local airports across the United States and abroad.

Many of these lounges are strategically situated at airports where new recruits leave or arrive for boot camp or deployments so that service members and their families have plenty of support from USO volunteers as they take the next step in their journey in service.

Why are USO airport lounges so important?

The strain of traveling can take its toll on anyone, but especially on our service members and their families. In addition to the daily stresses and duties of life in the military, many service members may be traveling far from home, or on their way to their next duty station or deployment. Military spouses may be traveling alone with their children while their spouse is out to sea. Some service members might just have had a flight delay and are now stranded with nowhere to go.

That’s where the USO comes in. No matter where they are coming from or where they are going, the USO is there to provide support to our nation’s service members and military community.

-This story was originally published in 2019. It has been updated in 2025.