A new limited-access club not tied to a particular airline will open Friday in St. Louis Lambert International Airport's Terminal 2.

The lounge, called Wingtips, is by Gate E31. Airport officials say it fills a longstanding void in the terminal.

American Airlines operates a similar facility, the Admirals Club, in Lambert's terminal 1.

But airport officials say operating such clubs is not part of the business model for Southwest Airlines, the only carrier now using terminal 2.

The new club is designed to provide passengers a quiet place to work, socialize, eat and drink.

People can use Wingtips by paying $38 for a single visit or they can buy memberships. Three different levels are offered, costing from $75 to $500 a year.

There also will be corporate memberships. Sally Leible, president of Airport Terminal Services — the company operating the new lounge — said World Wide Technology and two other St. Louis area corporations already have signed up as members.

Airport Terminal Services, a company based in Maryland Heights, was picked by the airport last May to operate the lounge after submitting the highest of three bids.

Under the deal, Lambert will get at least $3.45 million in revenue over 10 years from the lounge.

The company also has contracts to provide other services at Lambert and other airports across the country. The firm also operates a Wingtips lounge at New York's Kennedy International Airport.