Review: Star Alliance First Class Lounge Los Angeles Airport LAX

Great Review with beautiful pictures. Did you change your camera lately ? Your photos look amazing.

Lucky, 9am and taking the whole bottle of Beau Joie to the table... Very impressed.

I was there a few days before you were, Lucky and I agree that it was a beautiful lounge. I'm also impressed that you could write a whole review on a one room space! My shorter review, which includes the business class space is here http://goo.gl/LneQuU.

@ Sam -- Thanks! Nope, same camera.

@ Front Office -- Was trying to adjust to local time in Seoul. That's how you deal with jetlag, right? 😉

Hows the new one world lounge is it worth checking out or not really?

I heard they made a bunch of new changes to it.

@ Brandon -- The first class portion of the new one isn't yet open, so I'm not sure. I've only been to the old oneworld lounge, which doesn't compare favorably to this one.

Great job, as always. Looking forward to this TR.

Re: the boarding process--it's a bit of a cluster period. Both KLM and Air France have a similar setup for boarding, although they run their signs along the carpeted area (i.e. they line people up along the length of the terminal) as opposed to across the width of the corridor. The SkyPriority line is a mess... 400-500 people don't fit in the areas provided, and that "X" stand system kind of feels like a last-minute, hot mess solution, not something a brand new terminal should be using.

A bit off topic, but do you know if I'll be able to access the new Oneworld First class lounge if I'm flying AA First to London in the future? I realize they are in different terminals but shouldn't be too far of a walk.

@ Luis -- You can't. It's located airside, and I don't believe you can access TBIT's airside area unless you're ticketed to fly out of there.

IMO the most interesting feature is the outdoor terrace.

A recent change in policy at LAX should now allow you to go airside in terminals you are not ticketed for. I remember reading it on some blog. I havent actually heard anyone successfuly doing this in practice however....

@jason - I just did 2 weeks ago. Arrived LAX on int'l flight, connecting UA in T7. Got thru security @ TBIT with no problem. Lounge attendants might give you strange looks as they're not used to having domestic guests, but they let me in. As always, YMMV

@Luis When LAX TBIT is completely finished eventually, AA will be moving some of their international flights over. Also, there will soon be an airside passage between Terminal 4 and TBIT. When that happens, you should be able to, but that may not be until 2016 iirc.

@ Lucky - "I think this is hands down the nicest lounge at LAX."

Have you tried the new Qantas Business Lounge at LAX? I was very impressed when I visited a few months ago. The food, service and decor were all top notch! Definitely a must visit for all Oneworld customers.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-los-angeles-lax-business-lounge-review

@ Anthony -- Not yet, I can't keep up with the pace at which these new lounges are opening. Soon, hopefully!

@Dylan - thanks for the info. But based on what others are saying, it sounds like it's possible as of right now.

Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum frequent flyers currently get access to the Star Alliance First lounge outbound at LAX, even when flying Economy, as they do in Abu Dhabi (flying EY or VA). Whoever negotiated this gets my heartfelt thanks, twice over. As nice as the a la carte menu was here in September, the spa and service at AUH are unbelievable, and for an Aussie domestic air-warrior, quiet satisfaction at cohabiting with the great and the good are ample reward for many 0500 BNE-SYD missions.

I was thoroughly unimpressed with the *A F lounge. Small room with no view of anything and very weak buffet. The J lounge is so much better it's not even funny. Next time I wouldn't even bother going to the F lounge.

Same experience with F boarding on OZ201. The staff are awful. Like prison camp guards.

The outdoor portion of the C Lounge looks hard to pass up vs this small space with no view. I love good champagne though - anyone know if the champagne similar in C Lounge? The two in this F review are great, assume not as good in the larger C lounge?

@ JohnD -- They have an inferior selection in the business lounge, unfortunately. Might be able to sneak a glass of the good stuff through the back door of the lounge and into the business lounge, though. 🙂

I accessed the Star Alliance business lounge at TBIT three weeks ago on a UA LAX-IAD ticket using my UA Star Gold status under a process exactly as Italdesign stated. The lounge agent was a little confused since I was departing out of T7 later that evening, but got in the lounge no problem

@ Raimiti -- Thanks for the data point.

Lucky-

Long time listener, first time caller. One quick question: can someone with a United BusinessFirst Ticket gain access to the Star Alliance First Class Lounge?

I am traveling from LAX-MEL, and I am curious to see where I can hang out!

Best,

David R

Lucky,

If I'm traveling NH F, but friend is SQ Y (departing LAX same day), can I bring him in to this lounge as my guest?

Star Alliance website is quite clear: one guest permitted, provided they are traveling on *A carrier and departing from same airport on same day. Contract lounges are excluded (I don't think LAX lounge is contract tho?)

I've heard stories of guests being turned away... just looking for clarification.

Thanks!

I know this thread is old but very informative. Thank you! The hours of the first class lounge are until 3am. Is their ala carte menu available until they close? How about their buffets? Do they shut down at 11pm or stay open?