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Many travelers may be familiar with Capital One Lounges, which is the card issuer’s airport lounge network, with locations in Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Washington (IAD). However, the issuer also recently launched an exciting new concept for cardmembers, intended to be an alternative to the traditional airport lounge.
With the first location having recently opened, I wanted to take an in-depth look at this concept, and talk about what exactly it is, where the locations are, and how you can access these spaces.
In this post:
Capital One’s airport dining lounges with José Andrés
Over the years we’ve seen airport lounges evolve quite a bit in the United States, especially as lounge access has become an increasingly common perk offered by premium credit cards, with lounge networks like Amex Centurion Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges.
The Capital One Landing concept is intended to complement the existing network of Capital One Lounges. As it’s described, it’s a way of rethinking the travel and lounge experience. It’s a chef-driven, culinary-focused concept, intended to bring an elevated experience to the heart of the terminal.
The concept is offered in partnership with Chef José Andrés, who designs Capital One Landing’s food and beverage menu, focusing on authentic, Spanish-style tapas. To put it as simply as possible, think of Capital One Landing as being a great airport restaurant that select cardmembers have access to.
We recently saw the first Capital One Landing location open, so we know exactly what to expect. The facility is at Washington National Airport and looks beautiful, about as nice as airport restaurants get.
When you arrive at the lounge, you’ll be assigned a specific table, and guests can then select made-to-order small plates and beverages via a QR code, which will be delivered directly to their seats. All food and drinks with this concept are included. To give you a sense of what to expect, below is the lunch and dinner menu, plus the drinks menu.
In addition to the main part of the facility, Capital One Landing also has On The Fly, which is open to the public. Think of it as an airport grab & go concept, with food and drinks for purchase. The nice thing is that eligible premium cardmembers get 50% off.
Here’s what Chef José Andrés had to say about this concept:
“Travel is a huge part of my life, and food is deeply linked to the travel experience. It’s the best way to learn about a place and its people. But as someone who spends a lot of time in airports, many times I find myself wanting more. When Capital One came to us with the idea of creating a new kind of dining experience, our team immediately started to think of the Spanish tapas way of eating with the bounty of American farms and traditions – the very best of both countries. We cannot wait to share these new Capital One Landings with the people of the world!”
Capital One Landing locations
The Capital One Landing concept is primarily intended for metropolitan airports where shorter stays are the norm, in order to meet the needs of different kinds of travelers. Many travelers at these kinds of airports may appreciate the ability to grab a quick bite prior to a flight, rather than wanting to lounge around for hours.
Currently, Capital One Landing has one location at Washington National Airport (DCA), with a further location planned for New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
Capital One Landing Washington National (DCA)
The first Capital One Landing location opened at Washington National Airport as of November 2024. This is a 5,500 square foot facility, with seating for 90 guests. It’s located in Terminal 2, right off the National Hall, near Concourse D. The main part of the Capital One Landing space is open daily from 6AM until 9PM. There are power outlets at every seat, high speed Wi-Fi, and luggage nooks.
Capital One Landing New York LaGuardia (LGA)
The second Capital One Landing location is expected to be at New York LaGuardia Airport, and is projected to open in late 2025, so we’ll have to be patient a little while longer. This facility is expected to be 10,700 square feet, and will be located in one of the skybridges in Terminal B. This is an indoor/outdoor concept, with views of the NYC skyline and airfield.
Capital One Landing access requirements
Who can access Capital One Landing locations? This concept is primarily intended for those with the Capital One Venture X (review) or Capital One Venture X Business (review), who receive complimentary access on a space available basis. Cardmembers can bring one guest for free, and additional guests for $45 each.
On top of that, those with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) or Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) can purchase access to the Capital One Landing for $45 per person.
Meanwhile others can purchase access to the concept for $90 per person. The cost in all cases is the same for kids, except those under two, who can access the space for free with an adult.
The Capital One Landing facilities can be accessed up to three hours before a departing flight, or if you’re connecting, can be accessed earlier than that.
As a reminder, these access requirements are specifically for the main part of the lounge, as the On the Fly section is open to the public, with all items available for purchase.
Capital One Landing reservations system
Lounge crowding has become a major issue in the United States, given the number of people with premium credit cards. How is Capital One addressing that with the Capital One Landing concept?
For one, reservations are allowed for the Capital One Landing between one day and six months of a desired visit. There’s a 15-minute grace period, at which point tables will be given away. You can make as many reservations as you’d like, and there’s no penalty if you miss your reservation.
However, not all tables are made available for reservations, so that there’s plenty of room for walk-ins. The Capital One Landing is available for everyone else on a first come, first served basis. In situations where the space is at capacity, digital waitlisting is possible, as is the case at Capital One Lounges.
My take on the Capital One Landing concept
Personally I think what Capital One is doing here is brilliant. With lounge crowding having become such an issue, it’s often not actually fun to linger in lounges for an extended period of time. Rather you might just want to grab something to eat, and then sit somewhere quieter. Many airport lounges have become overcrowded cafeterias.
In that sense I really love this concept, since you can enjoy a good meal, even if you don’t have much time. This is a smart evolution of the traditional lounge concept.
We’ve of course seen Priority Pass restaurants become popular in recent years, where those with a Priority Pass membership can get a certain dollar credit toward food and drinks at restaurants. The catch is that the restaurants generally aren’t great.
Capital One Landing really seems about as good as airport restaurants could get, so what a treat it is to be able to enjoy this with a credit card. I think it’s safe to say that this is the best food you can access at an airport with a standard, premium credit card.
Bottom line
The new Capital One Landing concept is unique, as the card issuer is opening airport facilities in partnership with Chef José Andrés. Instead of enjoying cubed cheese and cheap chardonnay in an airport lounge, you can enjoy Spanish-style tapas and cocktails in more of a restaurant-style environment.
This concept is now available at DCA, and should open at LGA in late 2025. I can’t wait to check this out. I’m just sad about the limited footprint, especially since I don’t often travel through DCA.
What do you make of the Capital One Landing concept?
Would a family of three (two parents and one child) need each adult to have their own card? BTW, Jose's restaurants often have several items that are premade in warming trays waiting for someone to scoop and plate the food for carrying to a table.
Ben - this is a super minor nitpick: you've semi-recently started all your articles with "I wanted to..." which is a pet peeve of mine. The sentence is about you, it is in the past tense, and it conveys that you may not want to do the thing anymore. Your reader is not motivated by your inaction, so I suggest rewriting the sentence subject to be about how your reader stands to gain by reading...
Ben - this is a super minor nitpick: you've semi-recently started all your articles with "I wanted to..." which is a pet peeve of mine. The sentence is about you, it is in the past tense, and it conveys that you may not want to do the thing anymore. Your reader is not motivated by your inaction, so I suggest rewriting the sentence subject to be about how your reader stands to gain by reading onwards.
I am a big fan of your blog so please don't take this as an attack, just a minor helpful grammar tip.
I have a reservation at DCA for Thursday late lunch before my positioning flight to ORD for my ANA First Weekend in Tokyo - hotel is The String InterContinental Ambassador Weekend cert.
Also lunch reservations for a couple trips next spring