Review: Delta One Check-In Los Angeles Airport

Very nice doors on the restrooms. Very nice. Thank you. I almost forgot what restroom doors look like.

Does Delta have a similar set-up at JFK, MSP, ATL, etc.?

"I'm not arriving by rickshaw...."

Hilarious!

The Delta ONE Lounge LAX picture is sideways.

Is it fair to say that the check-in facility is farther from the security check point? It appears they have a closer security check, it just wasn't open at the time you cleared security, which is different. It sounds like you had a great check-in experience, and I'm surprised your review is so critical -- or at least dismissive -- of the value of this service. I'm glad to see Delta make an effort to raise the bar and bring some of the ground services of their Asian competitors to the US, even if some fliers may prefer to just skip the experience and use the automated kiosk. If I was flying Delta One I would use the service, just like I would go to the First desk when flying Singapore instead of using the kiosk.

As someone else said it looks like there is another security checkpoint which was closed. Though you would think that around the time of an LHR departure on a weekday would be the time to have this checkpoint open, if it were ever going to be.

It's also a bit unfair to compare to the AA Flagship check-in, since that is a first class product. Escorting every business class passenger to the front of the security line would probably be a little unworkable in practice given the volume of people that would involve.

Exactly right. The lack of a security escort, or clearly funneling to the head of the line is a fail.

To be fair, the two times I've used AA's flagship check-in at LAX I haven't been escorted to the security line, much less past anyone. I was sent up in the elevator where it dumped right out by security.

Seems like the intent is for that closer security lane to be open and for it to cater largely to Delta One passengers (they probably cannot exclusively dedicate to that end, but can make it hard for others to find). I think the onus is on Delta to work with TSA to make sure that it is always staffed and open.

I think the Delta One check-in is very useful if you have someone or friends/family that are seeing you off before your flight, who aren't allowed past security. That may not be as useful for solo travelers.

It is also useful for people tight on time, e.g. business travelers who want to go straight from check-in to the plane who want to grab a drink or snack and not have to queue and go through the formalities of entering the Sky Club.

Also Ben you'll notice that in the Sky Club, there aren't many things you can grab "to go" for the plane: drinks and food are designed for consumption in the lounge. The check-in is designed for people to grab something for later: fruits, packaged goods, cans and bottles.

Yeah, without an escort, it all seems rather pointless. It's reminiscent of Air France's first class check-in area at CDG. After check-in, however, the AirFrance minder proceeds to escort you through passport control, security, to the First Class lounge, and eventually onto the plane.

Hmm you were standing in a small area taking a bunch of pictures. Pretty sure she realized you were some sort of media. I'd say it's a 50/50 shot she's actually that friendly all the time.

Been thru this Delta One checkin twice. It's ok but as pointed out it doesn't get you thru security faster. The closer security line was open for me; so it was better than noted above but not much difference. Since I need the Skyclub Internet access I didn't bother spending time in the mini lounge and don't think I will even bother next time.

I'm a Delta loyalist, and I *do not understand* this setup. I just don't understand the value derived from it. I've flown American's first on the A321Ts a couple of times, and the Flagship First check-in provides infinitely more value than Delta's product -- basically got walked through security.

Can you use this if you have a premium membership with another Skyteam partner?

Hi I have a question if I am traveling Delta one and my family is traveling economy can we all check in and go through Delta One?

Looks like nice facilities, although I'd also rarely use it. If you need check-in assistance though, ie change seats or flights or so, it's nice to be able to sit and relax while the agent is working on it.
I do agree that the biggest issue is security though. United had a similar set-up at SFO for awhile, with Global Service furthest from security (instead of right next to it, with go-to-front service as before) - it defeats the purpose of saving time...
Seems like this is geared more towards "making people feel special" rather than saving time...

I flew Delta One from LAX in June and was escorted from the pre-security lounge all the way to the TSA Pre-Check agent. The Delta agent seemed genuinely disappointed that there was no line that morning; I got the impression that if there were that she would have taken me to the front. This was only a few days after they opened the new check-in area so perhaps that has changed?

For the great unwashed masses, Delta at LAX is a mess. An hour to check a bag, no one knows where TSA is, unfriendly staff and then you board and the Delta CEO talks about how much his people care about you. No more Delta, no more LAX. Why don't they just stop offering something other than Delta One. They clearly don't want the business!!!

@Thorpe "For the great unwashed masses, Delta at LAX is a mess"

Beats the AAbuse that other airlines impose at LAX. If you're flying American anywhere except long haul, you're stuffed into a smelly awful diesel bus and dragged to a remote overcrowded stinking third world slum terminal to wait for a horrible barbie jet. I'd take DL any day out of LAX, if I couldn't fly AS.

"Catch your breath after the stressful trip to the airport"... I know, being chauffeured from the front door of your home/hotel directly to your departure terminal in an UberBLACK is a near traumatic experience. I don't know how Y pax manage to even get to the security line without a nervous breakdown.

You took a picture of the check-in desk but didn't notice/mention that it's a piece of an actual DC-9?

http://crankyflier.com/2015/06/15/deltas-newly-renovated-terminal-5-at-lax-creates-three-distinct-passenger-flows/

This review is spot on. I received an invitation to use this "service" when flying business class to London. The email made it sound like it was an exclusive service from curbside to the gateway. I was shocked when I took the elevator upstairs, walked down a long hallway, and then found myself dumped into the terminal with a further walk to the regular security lanes. At least Virgin's Upper Class at LHR keeps it exclusive through security, before dumping you into the pandemonium of Terminal 3.

This is nicer than flagship check in at even ORD and JFK which have the "new" AA styling in them while the LAX and MIA ones have the "old" AA styling

So very old post, but was looking for a pic of the DC-9 wing desk.

But the one time I got to use this before the move to T2/3, it was awesome because we were going to misconnect and we could just chill while the agent took care of the rebooking. It took about 30 minutes so was way better than standing there hovering, like one would otherwise do in most other circumstances.